A Gift from an Angel
“There are many addictions in the world and mine was definitely food. My relationship with food brought me to 256 pounds. Having had a heart attack and double bypass at the age of 41, I knew I should lose the weight.”
Fast forward to 2016 at 290 pounds, Ann was in despair as she watched her son Brian in a hospital bed awaiting a liver and kidney transplant.
“He told me, ‘Mom, when I get my transplant and am well, I would love to go back to Hawaii with you and Dad, but you need to take care of you. You know you need to lose weight to stay healthy and be happy again.’ We made a pact that day to do so.”
Sadly, Brian passed away two weeks prior to his transplant date. On the first anniversary of his death, Ann chose to honor the pact she had made with her son.
“I had been researching OPTAVIA and saw some of my family members doing so well on the Plan. It piqued my curiosity.”
In April 2017, Ann received her kit and lost 80 pounds within nine months*, and she was no longer addicted to food.
“My whole life has totally changed. I am alert, energized and can climb steps without using railings. Now I can play on the floor with my grandkids and get back up without assistance. I was brought to tears when I could use the seat belt without an extension and had 12 inches left over. That was amazing.”
Ann no longer lives to eat, but now eats to live and she thanks her son for helping her understand that she needed to make a change.
“He is my angel and will always be with me. He is seeing me smile for real now. The world is seeing a person who is real and comfortable in her skin.”
Ann’s health journey is ongoing, however her work in progress gives her confidence that she will reach her goal of losing an additional 60 pounds.
“A healthy life is more than the number on the scale. It is happiness in all ways—physical, mental and financial. And it begins with one Healthy Habit at a time.”
Ann chose to pay her success forward by becoming an OPTAVIA Coach, helping over 25 clients and treasuring every minute.
“What I receive as a Coach goes far beyond what words can express. It truly is healing my soul to help others look for the solution it took me over 35 years to find.”
Ann and her husband will be going to Hawaii in four years to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary and she is confident that Brian will be with them every step of the way.
“Thank you OPTAVIA! This gift was sent by an angel, I am sure.”
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