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
Comments (9)
Hi, this is really an inspiring story. Makes me want to really try harder in my own achievement to gain further success. Good luck!
Posted by Dentist Berkeley | September 6, 2009 9:24 PM
Posted on September 6, 2009 21:24
Congratulation Lynn, I am inspired by your challenge, for this is where I am in my life. I hate exercising; however, I love to stretch and climb. The jumping and treadmill is just not for me. I would love to be on your team to take this weight off my aging body. Oh yea! how do I get Dr Ian to list other potiens in his 30 day meal plan. My source of poteins come from nuts, beans, fish, tuna and sardines products.
Posted by Jodi | December 8, 2008 11:02 AM
Posted on December 8, 2008 11:02
Hi Lynn:
Congraulation on your weight lost...Can you share where you had your Duodenal Switch done...Hospital, Doctors...thanks
Posted by Loretta Baker | November 25, 2008 8:25 AM
Posted on November 25, 2008 08:25
Hello ,
When I signed up at 50millionpounds I quessed my weight at 220pds. However my Dr visit in September 2008 I was horrified to know that I weighted 230pds. Since then I have gotten my weight down to 184pds that's a total of 46pds. It's hard but I am determine to reach my goal of 145pds.
Zenobia
Posted by Zenobia Hodges | November 20, 2008 10:44 AM
Posted on November 20, 2008 10:44
Hi, I am so proud of your achievements. It takes a lot of hardwork to get the weight off. I should know because I have been trying to get the last 35 pounds off. I have lost 50+ pounds and still have the 35 pounds to go and it is very difficult to get it off. By the way, what is this Duodenal Switch procedure? I have never heard of that procedure and I was curious.
Posted by Femi | November 16, 2008 11:22 AM
Posted on November 16, 2008 11:22
Congrats to you Lynn. My BMI is not high enough for any procedures. I started to just eat a little more so I could meet the requirements. I had to laugh that one off. I had weight watchers years ago and did okay. Tried Jenny Craig and did okay. The thing about Jenny is that you follow a menu. WELL, that works but at almost $200 a week for its weekly meal plan it is not affordable.
I have only been on the 30 day program for 4 days, but feel invigorated thus far. I won’t get to a size 6 like you Lynn because I was NEVER (you may be a tad shorter than I). But I was a lovely sexy 8 in my early years and would be more than happy to be a healthy 10 or 12 since I am a bit old now and always had curves (hourglass).
Because jenny worked a bit better by providing a menu as a guide, I had a feeling this might be similar. The difference is now I have half the spending money I used to have. The lack of money simply means I can not diversify my menu as much. On the menu plan is steak and fish. All I could afford was chicken (HAAA!) so I replace everything that is meat with chicken right now. I’ll start clucking soon. Once again. . . Congratulations Lynn and continued success to you (-:
Posted by Gia | October 30, 2008 9:52 AM
Posted on October 30, 2008 09:52
Frustration, defeat, anger and a bit of joy is what I feel today. Frustration, as I push and do the best I can to complete this goal I have yet to come to another standstill. Defeat is what I feel when I stood there and did what I had to do and was still told "This isn't good enough, come back in 3 weeks". Anger, is what my heart is saying as it beats 165 at resting as I think about all the heard work that I have put forth. And the way I am being pushed by this NAVY! I have to protect my family & my country, but how can I with all this excess....WEIGHT, BODY FAT! Joy, is what I feel as my heart rate slows to its normal bpm. Knowing that in March 09 I was 206 lbs and today I am 178. I am doing a GREAT job! I just have to work HARDER to attain the goal that is set forth me and do it in a healthy way. Being a woman in the Military is hard! We are expected to fail. We are put in situations where men are just to see how strong we really are. I am hear to let THE NAVY LADIES, NAVY WIFES and NAVY DEPENDENTS know that WE can do this. Motivation drives all of us and I will get to 145 my May 09. But for now my goal is to lose 5% body fat in 3 weeks. PRAY FOR ME! Sincerely, United States Navy, ABE2 Doggett in VA BCH, VA P.S. Anyone who can give me tips on how to lose BODY FAT. I need your help. My NAVY Career depends on this. God Bless
Posted by Diann Doggett | October 25, 2008 3:07 PM
Posted on October 25, 2008 15:07
That is a great story. The key thing in losing weight is finding that right balance between exercise and eating the right foods for your body.
Posted by Clinton Walker III | October 14, 2008 10:51 AM
Posted on October 14, 2008 10:51
You go girl!! Thanks for your honesty and sharing your story.
Posted by Lori Jones Gibbs | October 9, 2008 12:55 PM
Posted on October 9, 2008 12:55