I was still pretty, popular and my school’s cheerleading captain before losing 305 lbs, but I was trapped in a coffin
A HEALTH-CONSCIOUS woman who lost 305 pounds has likened her weight loss journey to "walking out of the coffin."
At her heaviest, of Springfield, Missouri, weighed 543 pounds.
With 30 percent body fat, her relatively short stature of 5-foot-7 struggled under the weight, making simple tasks like standing and walking unbearable.
EARLY START
“Obesity is something I struggled with my entire life. I can’t say there was a time when I wasn’t overweight or obese," Whitney said.
"I grew up in a home where carbs and fatty foods were always served
during meals. I can count on one hand how many veggies I was introduced to as a child.
"We never ate healthy foods,” shared Whitney, whose mum and granny also struggled with obesity.
“I remember a moment from first grade when the class was doing a project on height and weight.
"My classmates were reporting their numbers, and when it was my turn to stand on the scale, I stunned everyone with my weight of 131 pounds, while the others fell within the normal range,” she added.
Despite her size, Wheeler was determined not to let her weight hold her back.
“I’ve always been pretty, so I accentuated my facial features and tried not to focus my attention on my weight," she said.
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“My whole life was spent trying to uphold the big girl reputation. I had a boyfriend. I took part in all the school sports, I was captain of the cheerleading team."
"I was in drama. I was popular. From middle school to my college years, I didn’t let my weight stop me," she added.
But as time went on, Whitney realized that her weight was causing serious health problems.
She tried different diets and lost as much as 50 pounds, but she always gained the weight back, plus a little more.
"I had high blood pressure and couldn't sleep well. My joints hurt, and I had trouble breathing. But I kept thinking it wasn't that bad," she said.
HEALTH SCARE
Whitney's wake-up call came when she thought about her family's history. Her grandma and her mom both died in their 40s from congestive heart failure, linked to obesity.
Whitney knew it wasn't just about looks anymore; her own life was on the line.
"My gran always tried to lose weight. She joined Overeaters Anonymous and Weight Watchers, but the weight never stayed off," she revealed.
"I realized it was up to me to break the obesity cycle in our
family. I had been stuck in a never-ending loop for years. I was on 11 different medications, taking some twice a day.
"I couldn’t stand up and had to roll out of bed. I couldn’t go to the grocery store without leaning over the cart. I felt like I was trapped inside of a box — this body I called a coffin."
"I was suffocating mentally, physically, spiritually and emotionally. Something had to change,” admitted Whitney.
“I started my weight loss journey in February 2013. The first thing I did was started meal prepping my food and working out daily.
"I lost some weight, but not nearly enough. Five years later I had gained all my weight back, and more.
"That’s when my blood pressure spiked to 260/190 and the doctors sent me home because my weight exceeded the hospital equipment. They couldn’t help me."
"Desperate, I decided to undergo gastric sleeve surgery in 2021. I lost 120 pounds before the surgery and another 90 pounds straight after the surgery. But then my weight plateaued,” she said.
KEEPING IT REAL
Whitney emphasized a crucial truth about weight loss surgery – it is a powerful tool, but it does not guarantee long-term success on its own.
Whitney continued: “You have to do the work. Gastric surgery jumpstarts the process, helping you shed substantial weight in a relatively short span.
"However, long-term success hinges on your choices, habits, and mindset. It's not just about losing the weight; it's about keeping it off.
"Loving yourself, being kind, and staying determined to stay healthy are as much part of the journey as choosing the right foods, being mindful of portions, and exercising,” she added.
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With over 500,000 followers — Facebook being her largest platform with 395,000 followers, Whitney’s advice to others wanting to lose weight would be to have realistic goals.
“Celebrate every small accomplishment, and learn to love yourself to the fullest. We only have one life to live so live your best life,” concluded Whitney.
