This archive report was first published on 17 October 2019.
From Desperation to Transformation ¶
Kathleen Golding, a 28-year-old from New Bern, North Carolina, has been on a journey to overcome obesity and an eating disorder. Weighing 300 pounds at her heaviest, Kathleen struggled with binge eating disorder and felt like a failure.
After years of therapy and failed diets, Kathleen made the life-changing decision to undergo gastric bypass surgery on June 9, 2016. She was scared but determined to take control of her life.
Breaking Free from Food Addiction ¶
For Kathleen, food was an addiction. She would eat three large meals from McDonald's in one sitting and felt ashamed about her eating habits. But after surgery, Kathleen's relationship with food changed dramatically.
She started eating a low-carb, high-protein diet and learned to cook healthy meals. Kathleen measured everything and paid attention to serving sizes, eventually making healthy eating a second nature.
Exercise and Self-Care ¶
As Kathleen lost weight, exercise became easier. She started with walking, swimming, and eventually moved on to yoga. But Kathleen still hates going to the gym and has found alternative ways to work out, such as taking her dog for long walks and doing Pilates classes.
Kathleen's motivation comes from a refusal to go back to her old ways. She wants to be healthy and strong for herself and her future family. Kathleen and her husband are trying to get pregnant and are dealing with fertility issues, so she is determined to make her body as healthy as possible.
Kathleen wants to be genuine and authentic about her journey, sharing her story to inspire others who feel like failures. She believes that gastric bypass surgery is a valid option for those who have struggled with weight and eating disorders.
