A woman has revealed the method she used to battle a ‘weight loss reistant condition’.
Michelle Keith found herself struggling to lose weight after giving birth to her first child.
At her heaviest, she weighed 15-stone.
No matter the diet, exercise routine or loss hack, she was unable to break free from the vicious cycle.
The 33-year-old began to grow hopeless, though was determined to reach her goal weight of 8st 5lbs.
It wasn’t until scrolling through Facebook that the reality became clear.
And now, she’s finally reached her goal after finding a way to tackle her “resistant” condition.
“I didn’t think it was ever going to be possible,” the accounts receivables specialist told Need To Know.
“I was devastated [when I thought this would be my body for the rest of my life].
“But I quickly decided that I wasn’t going to let this condition win.
“I wanted to take my life back and turn my pain into purpose.
“I don’t regret my pregnancy, even though it caused me [this] pain.
“And I wish, at the start of my journey, that I was kinder to myself.
“I put a lot of pressure on, especially as I didn’t understand my body as much as I do now.
“Looking back, I was defeated and hopeless.
“Now I’m a different person entirely.”
Michelle used to suffer with daily pain, swelling, inflammation and restricted mobility, alongside being self-conscious.
When mysterious bruising took hold, alarm bells went off.
Despite speaking with multiple doctors, though, the cause was unclear.
And so Michelle decided to take matters into her own hands.
She tried fasting, a calorie deficit diet and long periods of exercise which only left her more “depressed”.
When none of them worked, she thought that there must be something else wrong.
In 2023, she stumbled upon a video from somebody with lipedema; a chronic disorder causing abnormal and symmetrical fat build-up.
Piecing together the information, coupled with her ongoing symptoms, she spoke with a specialist who confirmed her diagnosis.
After losing 5st 3lbs through strict nutrition and a focus on well-being, Michelle turned to weight-loss jabs in a bid to lose a few extra pounds and for inflammation relief.
Her flare-ups, which used to spark before her period, had caused a burning and stinging sensation in her arms, as well as an intense heaviness.
Her nodules and body would swell and the aforementioned bruises would appear.
Now, while she still experiences flare-ups, they’re hardly noticeable.
She said: “If I eat anything off-track or there’s any hormonal changes, I am still in pain.
“But it’s much more manageable.
“I’m usually back on my feet almost instantly.
“And they’re not so visual anymore, either.
“I’ve gone from surviving each day to actually being present.
“I have more energy, less pain, more patience – which means I can show up fully for my child.
“Not just physically, but emotionally, too.”
Michelle, from Minnesota, US, focuses on an anti-inflammatory diet consisting of chicken, steak, eggs, fish and lots of leafy greens.
She’ll opt for sweet potatoes or quinoa over white potatoes or other forms of carbohydrates.
To further ease any inflammation, she also takes turmeric and ginger daily.
Her main “saving grace” though are the $200-per-month weight loss jabs, which she microdoses once a week.
She added: “I am meeting with specialists and surgeons in the future for better clarification and to ease the pain further.
“It can get quite extreme at times.
“I’ve drastically improved my life, though.
“I feel like a different person.
“I’ve changed so much, not only physically, but mentally, too.
“I understand that the mind and body connection is real.
“I’m proud of my growth and at least now, when I’m in pain, I don’t panic because I understand what is happening.
“I see my friends and people in general more because I’m no longer hiding myself from the world.
“To those struggling: please know this condition isn’t your fault – but there are things you can do to improve it.
“Don’t give up hope.”
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