She shall overcome: with a new dedication to fitness, she doesn't let illness or injury stand in her way - Success Stories

Muscle & Fitness/Hers, August-Sept, 2002 by Michelle Haney

during high school, I was very athletic and competitive. I played sports year round, and enjoyed every minute of it. This kept me in fairly good shape at 5'3" and 135 pounds. After graduation I worked at a fast-food restaurant -- need I say more? I only exercised occasionally, and for a brief time; I never thought about training or staying in shape. Understandably, I gained 25 pounds in less than two years.

Then my physical problems started. I found out I had a heart problem, called supraventricular tachycardia, that made my heart heat up to 200 heats per minute while doing nothing. So my doctor placed me on heart medication that I'll need to take for the rest of my life. Then I started having problems with my left shoulder, which would dislocate while holding less than 10 pounds. The only way to correct this was with surgery.

My first surgery was in February 1999. By this time I weighed 165 pounds and was disgusted with the way I looked and felt, and how I used my injury and illness as excuses to not exercise. Another surgery on the same shoulder followed in September, but that still wasn't all.

Enough Is Enough

An in-line skating accident required yet another surgery in July 2000, this time on my left knee, and I was subjected to a mini physical beforehand. When they weighed me, I was so embarrassed: 170 pounds! At this point I said, "Enough is enough!" I used to be able to fit in a size 8, but now I could hardly fit into a size 12.

Feeling depressed about my weight, I couldn't stand to look at myself in the mirror, and could not see what my boyfriend could possibly find beautiful about me. Finally I decided that no injury or illness was going to stand in my way. I was determined to get back down to 135 pounds -- not just to weigh less, but to feel better about myself.

So I joined Cindy's Gym, an all-women gym in McMinnville, Oregon. I started working out 5-6 days a week for 1-2 hours at a time, doing cardio on the treadmill or stationary bike for 20-60 minutes, then spending the rest of the time lifting weights. I also went on a strict eating plan that I strayed from only one day a week, which I called my cheat day.

I've always known how to eat right and exercise, but it was the commitment to the regimen I'd had a problem with. No more! Slowly but surely, the pounds started coming off. Before I knew it, I weighed 140 pounds -- almost at my goal!

Better Than Ever

Just when I was on a roll, I started having severe pain in the same knee I'd already had surgery on. I was told repeat surgery was unavoidable, and they'd have to break my leg to correct the problem. The news was devastating -- I had worked so hard and for so long to get where I was. But there was no way I was going to let this injury set me back.

I had my fourth surgery in December 2000; four days later I was back in the gym with my leg in a brace. Sure, 1 couldn't do any leg exercises, but there's more to the body than just legs! I spent a month on crutches, but I was in the gym as often as possible and did what exercises I could. My knee is finally feeling better, and I'm proud to say I've prevailed over my injuries! At age 26, I'm down to 130 pounds and a size 6 -- smaller than I was in high school, and in better shape. I love the way I look and have so much energy.

My boyfriend and family have been very supportive of my efforts, and are quite proud of what I've accomplished. I do spend a great deal of time at the gym, and I thank my boyfriend for accepting this as part of my life and his. I hope to someday enter a bodybuilding competition.

Friends at work ask me how I lost the weight, and whether I could help them get fit, too. I'm enjoying helping others achieve their goals. I don't see anything standing in my way now: I have a new lifestyle, and I absolutely love it!

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