MJ-SHE-BEAST

[size=4][font=Arial]I'm known as the She Beast because no matter the obstacle, I don't give up, and I don't give in. I'm ferocious about those I love and very open-minded, open-hearted, and open with my life. I've struggled for so long with the weight and health issues I have, and never have I given up, despite setback after setback.[/font][/size]

[size=4]I've been heavy most of my adult life. Since 2010 I have been diligently working to lose weight and be healthier. I had a bad scare that year and ended up with a stent being placed in a heart artery. I was 50 that year and scared I was going to die. I joined a weight loss team online at sparkpeople.com. Within a year I was a leader of the San Antonio Spark team. I helped form a year long weekend training event where a group of us walked the green ways at the parks with the goal of walking a 13.1 half marathon of our own making, which we did on January 12, 2013. Despite all this, I remained heavy, hitting my highest weight of 272 pounds on a 4'10 inch frame in January 2014. Metabolic Syndrome and other health issues just kept me heavy and unhappy. I became mostly sedentary because it just hurt too bad to move much. I was drowning in fat and dying a little each day. Several of my specialists told me I needed weight loss surgery, but the insurance wouldn't pay for it, even though it was listed as medically necessary. Because of my beautiful daughter's love for me and her determination not to let me die too young, she formed the Save the She Beast (my nickname) Campaign and through some really amazing fundraisers, having a LOT of people show me amazing love and support, and a few miracles (you can read about it and follow my journey at [url="https://www.facebook.com/SaveTheSheBeast"]https://www.facebook.com/SaveTheSheBeast[/url]) the money was raised and I had my vertical gastric sleeve procedure on 7/18/14. There is no stopping me now. I'm down 40 pounds and have 110 to go. My energy levels are much higher, I'm sleeping better, and I'm moving so much more. I have a long way to go, but I'll get there. [/size]