8 Day Detox?

In December of 2011 I read of a "friend" who had tried this new product.  Of course the first thing I did was roll my eyes.  No lie....

She mentioned it several times on Facebook and I felt as if she was just trying to sell something new.  In March of 2012 I saw a before and after picture of her. My jaw hit the ground.  She. Looked. Amazing.

So I started reading up on it and asked how much it was.  You see, I'm a Pastors Wife and our income was very, very limited.  Like after the bills were paid at the end of the months we had about $100 for gas and groceries.  That is no exaggeration.  So my heart was sad that after seeing the price I knew there was no way that would happen.  By June I hit one of the lowest points of my life.  As the months went by I just kept sinking deeper and deeper.  My husband being one of the most patient and loving men in the world would encourage me, love on me and just be there when I just needed him there.  Most days I stayed in my bed because I just didn't have the energy to do anything.  A lot of times I slept 14-15 hours out of the day and I would just beg the Lord for something, anything.  I should go back...

Here I am in 5th Grade.  I was already being teased at this point in my life for being "fat". 

At the age of 11 I hit puberty.  The crazy hormonal attitude was blamed on my teenage years and the fact that my family is not one to "talk" about anything really personal I had no idea something wasn't right.  It wasn't until my grandparents came to visit us that my Nannie knew something wasn't right.  My parents took me to the doctors, I met with children's specialist and had series after series of test.  Their response in the end (after I gained over 100 pounds in just a couple of years) was I had a hormonal imbalance and if I lost the weight it would take care of it.  So they put me on birth control at the age of 14 and sent me on my way.  Let me just put a side note in here.  I am all about doctors.  I have family members and friends who are doctors or in the  medical field.  As I look back it would be the doctors words of how I was morbidly obese and that I needed to lose this weight that sent me into my years of depression.  Please, if you are going to give advice to a young, hormonal, emotional and sensitive teenager, make sure you know what  you are talking about.  Ok...off that soap box and back to the story.  I can look back and remember being so tired alllllllll the time.  I slept when I could and every time i went to the kitchen I was being questioned by my parents as to what I was putting in my mouth.  People (even my own family) got on the bandwagon informing of my weight and how "fat" I was.  It was almost as if I didn't know or see it.  I DID! 

Here I am in Highschool with some friends.  At this point I weighed in at about 250 Pounds

I never really let how I felt on the inside about all the teasing and hurtful words show.  I just put up wall after wall to try and hide the hurt.  In 1998 I graduated and left for college.  It was a small college so everyone knew everyone and that is where I met my husband.  I remember learning about his previous girlfriends and they were all skinny and pretty and I remember one time he said to me "I never dated someone like you".  He wasn't referring to my awesome personality (though I know he thinks I had one *grin*) or my independence   He was referring to my size.  He fell in love with me because of who I was not and not what I looked like.  I told him before we married that I may never be able to have children.  He still married me :)

On our Wedding day in 2001.  I was close to 300 pounds here.

Within the first year of our marriage I suffered two miscarriages.  The first one was twins the second triplets. I was not healthy enough to carry them.  Our marriage would not have survived having 5 babies and the Lord knew this.  I dream of those babies today but I am thankful I will one day see them again.  For the next 11 years my husband and I would grow closer, our love became stronger and my health would become worse.  Doctor after doctors, diet after diet, and moment by moment I felt as if my life was slipping away.  That brings me back to this past week.....

We did not have the money for this new "hope".  My husband, determined more than ever to help me took a couple of part time jobs and said "order it Ann".  So I did.  I ordered the product on a Monday, it shipped on Tuesday and it arrived on Thursday.  Thursday I was having such a bad day.  I spent most of the day in bed.  Tired, had a headache and wishing my life would change.  My husband walked into the bedroom and said "I have a surprise for you" and handed me my package.  It was instant joy.  I opened it up, read every bottle, paper and got my list together.  Headed to the store bought my protein.  Friday morning I started my 8 day detox.  By mid morning I was feeling so good.  Had some energy, cleaned up, did the laundry and was very motivated.  I went to sleep that night and slept so sound.  I woke up on day two feeling really good! The energy I had was amazing.  My husband could not get over how well I was doing.  Day three came along and though I was struggling slightly with some cravings I felt really good.  That was the only day I took a nap :) day four came along and i was feeling so good.  My stomach was bothering me some and after talking with Nickole we had determined I may just be sensitive to one of the supplements on an empty stomach.  After talking to her and Adelle I had decided I wanted to take a picture to see if there was a difference.  At this point I was down 13.5 pounds and 30 inches.  Something had to look different right?  

The left is from the night before I started the 8 day detox.  The picture on the right is the morning of the 5th day.

I was in complete shock.  I mean, seriously !?!?! Thats me?!?!?! Talk about a huge motivator!!! I shared this with my support group and they were just as shocked.  I shared my testimony that night at a group (thank you technology!) meeting in troy Michigan through facetime.  I enjoyed listening to the testimony's and being able to share mine.  

As I type this, I am on day 7.  I have lost a total of 20.5 pounds and 35.5 inches.  I'm amazed at the energy I have. I feel amazing and my husband is just as amazed at how I am doing.  Thankful for this moment.  Praising the Lord for the opportunity and excited for my future! 

My ultimate goal is to be healthy.  We would love to start a family.  

If you have any questions please feel free to ask! email me at annmarielee at gmail dot com

Onto the new me!