Virginia Gaschler’s Success Story

My story begins at the age of 19 in 1993.  That is when I realized that many years of unhealthy eating had caught up with me.

I began to put on weight after high school graduation.  At my heaviest I weighed over 230 pounds.

My bad habits began effecting my health.  I began to have knee and back pain.

I went on many different diets, and took all kinds of diet pills.

Some of the diets would work, but most did not.

If they did, I always put the weight back on, with extra to go with it.

My weight was like a yo-yo which made my life difficult, at times.

I’d be proud of myself for a little while then when the weight went back on it was so depressing I would just eat more.

My knee problems got worse and required surgery.

I lived with chronic back pain from degenerative discs, caused from the extra weight my body was carrying around.

My self esteem was so low it was virtually non-existent.

I had no confidence which effected my job and was effecting my marriage.

I always made excuses for why I wasn’t losing the weight.  I would say”I don’t have time”, “It’s my metabolism causing it”, “it’s too expensive to eat healthy” or I would blame it on pregnancy weight, just to name a few.

Being overweight kept me from doing so many things.

I couldn’t go out and play with my kids without getting winded and out of breath.

I would not go in swimming pools or the beach, because I would not wear a bathing suit in public.

I didn’t like getting on amusement rides, I never knew if I would fit in the seats.

Vacations were hard at times, because I slowed the family down when doing things, I just couldn’t keep up the pace walking.

I had gotten so out of breath during one of our vacations, I once almost passed out, while walking a path in the mountains.

I couldn’t even enjoy going shopping without thinking that people were looking down on me for my weight.

My children were battling with being overweight, as well due to my bad eating habits, which were becoming their habits.

In June 2013 I began having chest pains and blood pressure so high, I was taken to the hospital by ambulance from work.

It was then at that moment I decided it was time to make a change or else I would not see my kids grow up.

So after 20 years of fighting my body I began to take charge of my body instead.

At first it was little changes I did on my own.  It worked, I did lose weight but like in my past I knew that it would not last without some help.

It was when I found Breakthrough, that I knew my life was going to change.

In the 6 months I have been at Breakthrough I have learned so much about clean eating and good exercise habits.

I have met so many wonderful friends. In the past I worried about how much I had lost in weight.

Now I know its about what I have GAINED, Such as: my husband…our marriage has never been better, communication skills by getting uncomfortable, my confidence, self esteem, leadership abilities, knowledge to help others, and self love.

I can say I truly love myself again.

I could go on and on with what I have gained during my journey.

I now know what its like to make goals and work hard to achieve those goals!

I will continue to make goals each and everyday to continue my success.

I can now run, play, and the kids have to keep up with me. I love to go shopping again. I can hold my head high while in public places.

I can truly say, if it weren’t for Breakthrough I would not be where I am today.

Thank you to Chris, Karen, Vance and all the Breakthrough Members who have kept me accountable and going strong, when I was down, and acknowledged when I was doing good. I love you all.

 

Virginia Gaschler