Dear Friends,
Like my father Muhammad Ali, my journey began as a fighter. However, I was fighting a different fight - I was fighting a battle against obesity, and I was losing. It took me more than 30 years to reach my "moment of truth" and realize the impact that obesity had on my life - physically and emotionally. It is my desire that by sharing my journey, I can help others find their own "moment of truth" and see the possibility of life without obesity.
I have stood in your shoes. I know what it's like to have hunger constantly chase you and to endlessly fight the cycle of yo-yo dieting. I tried every diet and exercised regularly, only to regain the weight lost, and with each failure I was in despair as the numbers on the scale got higher and higher. I was frustrated by this endless cycle and the misperceptions of others that I lacked willpower or was not trying hard enough to lose weight. No matter how hard I tried, I was losing the fight against obesity and feeling a deep sense of shame and helplessness. I truly felt like a part of me was dying inside.
It took me a lifetime of struggling before my weight-loss battle reached a turning point. One year after the birth of my son, I was at my highest weight ever - 335 pounds. I would run out of breath walking up one flight of stairs or simply trying to play with my son. I needed 30 minutes to get out of bed because my knees and feet were so badly swollen. I feared for my life and worried that my son would have to grow up without his mother. This "moment of truth" drove me to explore solutions beyond diet and exercise. I began researching weight-loss surgery options and turned to ObesityHelp.com for information and support. I considered gastric bypass surgery, but was frightened by the risks. Fortunately, I learned about a safer and less invasive option - the
LAP-BAND® Adjustable Gastric Banding System. For the first time, I saw the possibility of life without obesity.
Tipping the scales at more than 270 pounds, I underwent the
LAP-BAND® System procedure. Now, three years later, I have lost more than 100 pounds and hunger no longer chases me.
The LAP-BAND® System is the tool that has helped me achieve sustained weight loss and ultimately, live a healthier life. You too can have hope for life without obesity.
To be successful you need to remember that weight loss is a journey and there is no short-term solution. Talk to a healthcare professional to learn about your weight-loss options. Also, visit the Finding Your Moment page to access a self-assessment tool designed to help you evaluate the physical and emotional impact of obesity on your life.
I speak to you as someone who is no longer losing the fight against obesity - I'm now a champion fighter. I fought obesity and won, but my journey has not ended - it's actually just beginning. I wish you the best of luck on your journey, wherever it may lead.
Kindest regards,
Khaliah Ali
