Then Vs Now

Then Vs Now. 240 vs. 145. 2020 vs 2022. 50. vs. 52. Dying Vs. Living. Giving Up vs. Pushing Through.

Look past the weight loss…it was so much more than that.

These pictures remind me of how far I’ve come in such a small amount of time. It’s crazy how much you can accomplish when you change your mindset and do the work.

These photos represent- finding myself again, loving myself enough to work through my autoimmune disease challenges, finding my purpose, trusting my process, deciding not to give up on myself, finding natural alternatives to medicines, eating to live and pouring as much into myself as I did for my family and friends.

If you have challenges…they may seem insurmountable, but the further you have to climb the stronger you will be when you reach the top. The key is to start climbing…step by step, little by little. If you don’t start, you will never know just how far you could have gone. Love yourself enough to do the Work!! You got this!!

How did I start the process of making changes in my life?

One day, I just got sick and tired of being sick and tired. I was waiting to die. Doing everything for everyone else, but not pouring into myself. The first thing I did was make a list of what I needed in order to live the life I had dreamed about, but didn't think I could achieve.

The first thing on my list was Knee Replacement Surgery.

Rheumatoid Arthritis had robbed me of nearly all the cartilage in my knees. I couldn't walk very far without swelling and becoming immobile, so I figured I needed to start there. I decided to have both knees replaced at the same time. Sounds crazy? It was...but I knew that after experiencing the pain of recovery I would probably make excuses not to go back and have the second surgery. I got my house in order. Had my bathrooms redesigned to allow easy access to the shower and toilet with a walker. I purchased a sleep number bed and a lift chair because they would make sleeping a lot easier after surgery. Surgery was a success and I recovered over several months incorporating exercise, stretching and walking for strength and flexibility.

The second thing on my list was weight loss.

I realized that my new knees wouldn't last long and function well with the excess weight. I tried every weight loss diet out there, but between inflammation from autoimmune disease, the meds I was taking and menopause I couldn't lose a significant amount of weight. I had considered bariatric surgery several times, but chickened out. I finally decided it was my best bet at getting the weight off and keeping it off. I decided on the Gastric Sleeve for several reasons. The surgery was a success and I lost nearly 100 pounds and have kept it off for two years.

The third thing on my list was getting my health in order.

The RA meds I was in were killing me...literally. I had to make a decision...quality of life over quantity. I wanted both. The meds were slowing the progression of the disease which ultimately deforms your joints and impacts your organs. But...the meds were also killing me. I felt horrible all the time, my organs were beginning to be affected by the meds, and I was in and out of the hospital with various health issues related to the meds. So, I stopped taking them and started alternative therapies...herbs for inflammation and pain , chiropractic treatments for my joints, Accupuncture, massage and cold pressed juicing, supplements and more. Yes, the diseases I have are still progressing, but I feel much better. I wanted to enjoy my life and I couldn't do that in the condition I was in.

The fourth thing on my list was getting back into modeling, which I had not done since I was a teen.

I started modeling for one of my favorite designers, which was an ama inv experience. I quickly realized that in this day and age...I could do what I love right from my home. I started posting my outfit idea on Instagram and Well, if you follow my @silver_sistah1970 IG page you know that it's going well. 500 followers to 105k in less than a year is great progress. I'm still learning and figuring this thing out, but I'm enjoying connecting with people, sharing my love for fashion

and inspiring people to live their best lives regardless of age, health or wealth.

That's the quick story...but you can see why these photos mean so much to me.