On set for There's A Gas Leak In The House
For the first day there was no BTS, but there was a DSLR that anyone was allowed to take pictures with - I thought this was an incredible idea and took like 500+ photos lol, here's a few of me that others took š„¹
Hey everyone! Super excited to finally announce what I will be doing this July!
Over the course of 10 days, I plan to swim 400 kilometers of the North Saskatchewan River - one kilometer for every pound I weighed at my heaviest.
Some of you may already have known of my plan (mainly because I truly cannot stop talking about it) but I want to share my story with as many people as I can,which is why I need YOUR help!
In my bio is a link to a gofundme page where you can support my swim and help offset some costs which include a boat for my crew (@dopelan & @ethan__johnson ) camping supplies, fuel and accommodation, and more - any and all help will be massively appreciated!
I am so happy to get to live the life I have been given, and this journey and subsequent film will be the deepest expression of that gratitude.
Thank you, and I can't wait to share my journey with all of you!
#gofundme #crowdfund #swim #openwater #northsaskriver
HEADS UP: SWIPE ONLY IF YOU WANT TO SEE WHAT LOSING 180 POUNDS REALLY LOOKS LIKE š
220 lbs is one of the last big milestones I wanted to hit in the first year after my gastric sleeve surgery, and getting there is so incredibly surreal I'm not sure what to say, looking at the scale used to be a dreaded experience that I associate with anxiety, failure, self-hatred and a slew of other negative emotions, and honestly it still brings up those feelings in me, but today is one of those days where instead looking at that scale has brought me immense pride and sharing this experience is my way of reinforcing that feeling.
Around a year ago, I was at my heaviestā400 pounds. Today, I am 220. In return for the weight I've lost, Iāve gained something so much greater: a healthier body, a stronger mind, and a deeper love for myself. šŖāØ
This journey wasnāt just about numbers on a scaleāit was about reclaiming my life. I was stuck in a vicious cycle of binge eating, and after the surgery I had to face my fears, doubts, and anxieties head-on, as I couldn't drown my emotions in food any longer. I had to find ways to truly live healthier, and for me that came when I fell back in love with swimming. I learned that I have to show up for myself every day, even when it's hard, even when it hurts, even when progress is slow.
And if youāre reading this, please know: I believe in YOU, too. Whatever your goals, whatever your challenges, remember that every step counts. Progress is progress, no matter how small. I truly believe I wouldn't be here today if I continued on ignoring my health problems, so if I could impart just one message, it would be the age-old adage NEVER TAKE YOUR HEALTH FOR GRANTED. I promise, you are stronger than you think. You are capable of so much more than you believe. Start small, keep going, and celebrate every victory along the wayābecause YOU are worth it. ā¤ļø
Thank you to everyone who supported me on this journey. Your encouragement, love, and kindness kept me pushing forward even through the toughest times. I couldn't of done this without the people around me.
So hereās to living life to the fullestāone pound, one swim, one choice at a time. š
One year, 140 pounds, and a mountain of lessons separate these two pictures of me.
This last year has been truly transformative.
There's so many things I want to say -more than I can put in this post- but I want everyone to know that I wake up everyday so incredibly grateful that I get to live this life, that I have the energy and opportunity to pursue my passions, that I get to be healthy, that I live in the most beautiful place in the world surrounded by love and support from my friends and family.
All these things that I will never take for granted again.
"I listen to the wind
To the wind of my soul.
Where I'll end up, well, I think
Only God really knows.
I've sat upon the setting sun
But never, never, never, never.
I never wanted water once
No never, never, never.
I listen to my words
But they fall far below.
I let my music take me
Where my heart wants to go.
I've swam upon the devil's lake
But never, never, never, never.
I'll never make the same mistake
No never, never, never."
Hey Everyone!
I am excited to share my progress with you all, and talk about what I've been up to the last few months! But first, let's go back to where this leg of my journey started.
Last November, I weighed 395 pounds. It hurt to walk, I was in a constant brain-fog, and I -as I'm sure a lot of you were aware- was extremely temperamental and self-conscious. Every time I did try to lose weight, I'd make decent progress, but something would come up and I'd pack on the weight again, and over the years it trended upward. One day, I found that I was out of breath just rolling out of bed, and I knew then that if I were to keep on this path, it wouldn't be long before I'd never be able to get better. It's sad to think about, but I hated myself for getting to that point.
In April, I got a Bariatric Sleeve Surgery that reduced the size of my stomach by 80%. In just the last three months Iāve lost 65 pounds, and a total of 100 from when I was at my heaviest. Now, I swim 10 Km a week, eat healthy, sleep well, and am the lightest I have been in my adult life.
The support from my family and friends has been invaluable to me, and has helped me get through the tough days of re-learning to eat, relapses in diet, and self-doubt. I'd especially like to thank my Mom for pushing me to get the surgery, and being there to guide me even when I didn't know what I needed. Thank you Mom.
Iāve found that the benefits are more than just appearance; my energy, mood, and confidence has improved. Every small victory matters, on and off the scale. Some of my favorites have been getting to wear all my old clothes, my belt go from the last notch to having to put new notches in, and my belly not touching the steering wheel when I drive haha (I cried when I noticed) It's difficult to put into words how much more LIFE I now get to live. For the first time in 26 years I feel I have control over my health, and have a profound gratitude for this second chance that I've been given, I wake up every day thankful to be here.
But I'm not done! Iāve committed myself to continue until I reach 195 pounds, a weight that I haven't been since I was 14. I'm excited :)
100 down, 100 to go!