The 50 Million Pound Challenge joins Lynn Richardson at the HBCU Health, Wealth n’ Real Estate Tour. The first event will be held on October 8, 2008 at the campus of Delaware State University. Lynn recently shared her story with the Challenge.
Lynn Richardson’s story
My struggle with weight began at an early age. I remember being in sixth grade and being called a “brick house.” I can laugh a little now, but it wasn’t too long before I was in the “pleasantly plump” category and then, finally, well, at 263 pounds, I was morbidly obese. Oh, my God! Knowing that I was classified as morbidly obese was as devastating, if not more so, than actually carrying the weight around. For a while, I’d just decided I would be a ‘big” girl forever. So what, I
was still cute, right? Well the truth of the matter is I was carrying more than just weight. I was carrying emotional, psychological, and spiritual weight that my five foot three frame was never designed to carry.
And all the skinny people tell us to just stop eating. Well it’s not quite that easy. You see, once you get into the overweight category, your body becomes emphatically committed to staying that way. I tried everything. I lost 30 pounds in college and made in on the Northwestern Ladycats dance team. When I was no longer on the team, I gained the weight back. And then some. When I got married, I lost 35 pounds and was the most beautiful bride ever. I think I maintained my wedding day weight for exactly one day. I gained it all back. And then some. Then I starting having children, becoming successful in my career, happily married, and 263 pounds later, I was morbidly obese.
I tried a host of diet plans, virtually all of them, I had a personal trainer, could jog 2 miles at 250 plus, but every time I reached a plateau and stay there for months, I would give up.
In 2006, I was blessed to meet Santita Jackson. She told me about the Duodenal Switch procedure. Instantly I knew this was the solution for ME. Less than six months later, I had the procedure and I was on my way to a healthy lifestyle.
Today I am between 140 and 147 pounds and I wear a size 6. My twelve year old daughter wears my clothes! I can’t believe it. I eat lots of protein and vegetables and I take 7 different vitamins every day. I am on the road quite a bit (so that is my version of exercise), but I can’t stress how good I feel when I get up at 5 am to take a walk at the gym or do a quick round of strength training in my bathroom.
I love life and I have no regrets. Ultimately, I made the choice that was best for me and I have no negative side effects. I believed that the best way to show my daughters how to live and eat healthy was to become a walking example in their lives. Although we are not complete health nuts, I rarely fry anything and we eat lots of grilled protein with salad and other vegetables. Now don’t get me wrong, I still love a good soul food dinner and yes, I eat chitlins’ every Christmas and Thanksgiving, but for the most part I focus on moderation. I encourage my daughters to push away from their plate before they are “full.” It’s so much better to save some left-overs for later than to stuff it all in at one time.
Losing the weight has changed my perspective on life and given me a weightless sense of freedom. Whatever path you choose, be sure it is a healthy one. And don’t give up . . . . because when you do, what you DON’T want will surely take over.
Click here to join Lynn’s Challenge teams:
• Lynn’s Delaware State University Challenge team
• Lynn Richardson - Loan Originators
• Lynn Richardson - Wealth 'n Real Estate
• Lynn Richardson - Hampton University
I was very excited when I learned the challenge was for all Americans and not just African-Americans, as I thought after seeing the ads. THANKS, DR. IAN! Although I didn't really participate or login for the first few months after I signed up, my motivator (or should I say, the final straw?!) came when I failed to make my required Army Reserve weight. This can cost your career and is quite embarrassing (to me). 
