Melissa Tomaziefski

I have been on a weight loss journey now for the past few months. I was a lot heavier during my marriage (I am divorced and been divorced since Oct 8, 2018) I lost a bunch of weight during then got depressed again and put some weight back on. Then I was pregnant in 2017 went through divorce and moved to Florida (for situations I won’t explain unless you trying to get close and personal with me lol). I lost 23 pounds while pregnant, I have a hormonal disorder called PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome). My hormones went a bit haywired and caused me to lose weight during pregnancy instead of gaining it like I was supposed to. Then after my pregnancy Covid-19 happened which made my depression and anxiety worse causing me to put some extra added weight back on. I am now currently trying to lose weight again and maintain it off. I have the help of a co-worker who is truly awesome and has been giving me amazing advice and workouts to do. I started at 212lbs I am officially down to 192lbs. That is a 20 pound difference. I also lost 12 inches around my waist. It is has been a rough road especially now that I have to rebuild my strength back into my hands due to the carpal tunnel. I do still struggle with lifting more than 8lbs. I am working at it slowly and still going to the gym even if its cardio on the treadmill and legs. I can’t just sit around and do nothing now I have to keep going. When I decided to go back to the gym I was starting for all the wrong reasons. I wanted to lose weight just so I could get an attractive man because I had in my own head that no man like a fat/curvy girl. But I had to start thinking about myself and my daughter and do I want to see her grow up. Having PCOS puts you at high risk for stroke & diabetes along with other health related issues as well. I managed to eat correctly with a cheat day a week of smaller portions. So instead of a pint of ice cream in one sitting I would measure out the serving size. So if Breyers ice cream is 190 calories for 1/3 of a serving size I would eat 1/3 but in a bowl not the carton. I have had people tell me to embrace my weight, which I will never do cause I am not happy with the way I look. I had started doing therapy to help get to the root of why I ate the way I ate. I would use food as a coping mechanism for my depression. So I had to look at losing weight in another light. My Daughter. She is my everything and I want to be able to see her grow up. I had her later in my early 30’s instead of my 20’s but that also has a lot to do with my PCOS. I had 7 miscarriages before I had her. That is where most of my depression comes from. It was a lot to process and go through. My daughter is truly a blessing and a surprise. But she is my reason to get healthy I want to see her grow into a wonderful adult, and not lose weight for a man just to later on cheat on me for a better model.

MY BEFORE AND AFTER PICS.