Hey guys!  This week I’m going to start shaking it up a bit.  Since I’ve started this blog I’ve wanted to make it a place where anyone can come and learn about my journey to a better me.  ( Speaking of… I ran my personal longest run of 10 miles this weekend! WOOO!)  It’s been great, but at times I feel a bit narcissistic.  I’m honored to be here, don’t get me wrong, it just that I know there are lots of journeys out there that are just as derserving to be shared, and I’d love to share them.   

Every last Sunday of the month I want to give you the opportunity to meet other Mom’s out there trying to not only make it in the world of business and family… but also Mother’s dealing with the ups and downs of self image, weight and health.  Since I myself am dealing with these issues I feel that it’s important to get as many perspectives on the topics at possible, because something that touches me, may not hit you the same way.

The first “Wonder Woman” I’d like to introduce is the amazing Ms. SandraKelley!  Kelley is a life coach and self esteem expert for the morbidly and super obese and loving Mother of 1, Malcom.  She has a blog and radio show that focus oon outreach to people struggling with obesity.  Kelley hopes to help others find the peace of knowing they’re not alone.  She found her calling after undergoing gastric bypass surgery in 1997, thus losing an amazing 200 lbs.  Her max weight, right before bypass surgery was 450 lbs.   

Hi Sandra!  Thanks so much for doing this interview, I can’t wait to share your story with my readers, so let’s get started!

Sophia: First off, I was so excited to hear that you are a fellow runner!  What made you want to run?  What race did you do?  How long did you train?  What did you do to prepare?

Kelley:  Being obese all of my life I would go to bed at night and dream of the ability to run.  I often wondered what it would feel like, the exhilaration… the movement.  As I began to lose weight I started first, by walking and then running.  I started off small; when I exercised I would go outside and run literally from one mailbox to another.  I couldn’t go any further at the time.  But after time and consistency I was able to run further as my body became stronger.  I decided to run a 5K and at the time I weighed 350 pounds.  My goal was to One-finish by running the entire way and Two-not to be the last person to complete the race.  I achieved both and it is a feeling I will never forget.  I suggest a person interested in running any type of race train daily, stay focused, and just remember to do the very best you can.  The sensation of being with all the other runners, the smells, the adrenaline… there is nothing like it.  I will remember it always, it’s a rush like no other.  Take in everything and just appreciate the opportunity you have to just have the ability to run the race.  Enjoy it!!

Sophia:  Great work! I’m ready to go out and run!  How much does exercise impact your daily and continued success with maintaining or even losing weight today?

Kelley:  It is essential.  I tell clients that exercise, must become like breathing.

Sophia:  You’ve done so well with keeping the weight off, has being a mentor to others helped you to do this?  Do you feel you are supposed to help others, or is this something that has just comes natural?

Kelley:  Yes, I feel that God saved me from obesity so that I could help others and let them know they can also become healthier.  Because of my weight loss I have been given the opportunity to begin my life again.

Sophia:  The name of your blog is TOUCH 52:11. Is this a biblical reference or a date?

Kelley:  Yes!!! It stands for Taking Over Unwanted Character Hurts-I chose the word TOUCH because as an obese person people rarely wanted to touch or embrace me.  At my conferences I will always embrace those who come.  I want them to know that they are all beautiful to me.  52:11 comes from the scripture Isaiah 52:11, this is the scripture God gave to me to describe the assignment he has chose for me.

Sophia:  Sandra who were you at your heaviest and how did you feel about yourself?

Kelley:  I was ashamed and had low self esteem.  I often did all I could to succeed in every other area in my life but my weight always held me back at the end.  I was told I would never be able to have children because of my weight, I had sleep apnea and I was always in pain because of the sheer amount of weight I carried.

Sophia:  You’re a mother now; did your weight affect your child?  Was your child a reason for more weight gain? Or even weight loss?

Kelley:  I actually lost over 200 pounds before I became pregnant with my now 9 year old son, which I must say is a blessing within itself.  I had my son Malcolm in 2000.  At the time I was in a very abusive marriage and after my son was born my depression, insecurity, and bad eating habits returned.  From my son’s birth until he was about 3 years old I also suffered from postpartum depression.  It was a horrible time in my life.  I eventually gained all 200 pounds back.

Sophia:  Wow, I’m so sorry… but you’ve obviously “got back on the wagon”! That’s a huge testament to your passion for health.  It’s so easy to be thrown off with life’s hardships and obstacles.  I still find myself knee deep in emotional eating, it’s like an addiction sometimes.    Hearing your response to having a setback after losing 200 lbs is heartbreaking but these weight loss pics are AMAZING! I congratulate you on your success!  Do you want to continue to lose weight or have you reached your goal? 

Kelley:  One of the goals that I express with my clients and through my business is Lifestyle Living.  Lifestyle Living is a system in which you must realize that maintaining your weight is a lifetime process.  I don’t concentrate on the amount of weight I need to lose nor do I lose weight for an event or a social occasion because that can set one up for failure.  I do continue to lose weight but I understand it’s something that I must always work on and work towards.

Sophia: You had surgery in 97.  This was before it was as common as it is now, 200 lbs later do you feel that it was still the right choice?

Kelley:  The only choice.  In 1997 the gastric bypass/weight lost surgery was done behind closed doors.  It was a very invasive surgery at the time.  I still have the scars from the surgery. I was cut from my navel to my breast bone.  It is a badge of honor; I don’t regret it AT ALL.  I got my life back.

Sophia: Do you think that taking the road of weight loss surgery was “easier” than trying to lose the weight with just diet changes and exercise? 

Kelley:  I often convey that having the surgery is the hardest thing you can do if you are trying to lose weight.  Many people think that once you have the surgery the weight comes off and everything is perfect.  They don’t understand that you must deal with the emotional aspect of losing a massive amount of weight, dealing with the attitudes of family and friends who may support you at the beginning, but who can often become negative as you continue to lose weight and gain confidence.  This was the only plan for me because I had done every diet and because of my size I couldn’t exercise. Having the surgery was the best decision for me.  If I wouldn’t have had the surgery I would be either close to 900-1,000 pounds or I would be dead.  I was gaining close to 100 pounds a year.

Sophia:  I’ve done a lot of research on weight loss surgery, and I commend your for your courage to take control of your life.  I wasn’t able to commit to surgery, but it’s obviously been a blessing for you and I support that 100%.  Whether you’ve had surgery or lost the weight other ways, after significant weight loss people can have identity issues because for most of their lives, weight has defined them.  How have you been able to accept and embrace the new you?  What advice do you have for others dealing with this struggle now?

Kelley:  My advice for those who have gone through a huge weight loss is to take it day by day.  Embrace the new you, and know that you can begin anew.  I have been given a new start on life and I am embracing all that life has to offer.

Sophia:  You seem so confident and positive; do you still have those dark days you speak about in your blog?

Kelley:  I do have those days, it is an everyday process. I must speak the positive energy into my life every day.  I used to have my 450 pounds days; meaning I would look in the mirror and still see myself as severely obese.  But I now see myself in the beauty that God has created me.  I see the entire me and I love it!!

Sophia:  Well said!  One last question for you Sandra; what would you like most for people to know about you and T.O.U.C.H. 52:11, INC?

Kelley:  I am here to educate society about the world of the severely obese.  It is apart of society that many don’t want to address or speak about.  There are so many individuals in their homes right now not able to leave home because of their size… there are many who are reading this interview who are emotional abused everyday because of their weight, and there are those who feel like there is no hope for them.  I am here to tell them all YOU CAN DO IT!!  You can change those habits, thought processes and feelings that you have about yourself.  Work towards it everyday.  Stay consistent, focused and determined.  Your success is waiting on you…Go get it!!!

THANK YOU SANDRA for chatting with me, and sharing your heroic and inspiring story with us today.  I know you’ve  touched a lot of readers out there.  If you’d like more info on Ms. Sandra Kelley and her services please check out her info below!

Sandra Kelley M.S. Education

T.O.U.C.H. 52:11 INC. 

Weekly radio show on Blog Talk radio every Tuesday at 8:00pm

If you know of a Mom that deserves a spotlight for her health/fitness success, please tell me their story @ Sophiaayalagettys@gmail.com  Thanks for reading and your continued support! XOXO -Sophia

Recent Posts By Sophia Gettys

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Tags: ambitious mother, Artist, BornFit, childhood obesity, Children, Elderly, emotional over eating, food addiction, Food Network, Grandmothers, ING NYC Marathon, inspiration, Jamie Atlas, life change, Marathon, mom, overweight mom, personal goals, Plus size Diva, running, Sophai Ayala Gettys, Unlikely Marathon Momma, weight loss, Worst Cook, Worst Cook Reformed, Worst Cooks in America

This entry was posted on Sunday, July 25th, 2010 at 11:27 am and is filed under Hybrid Mom Bloggers, mothers, women, working. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.