From Triplets to Triumph: My 100-Pound Journey to Strength

For most of my life, I’ve struggled with being overweight or obese. In my twenties, I was healthy and

very active. But everything changed when my husband and I began trying to start a family. That journey

revealed several health challenges—polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which impacted my fertility, and

eventually, a rare clotting disorder that caused recurrent miscarriages. After two years of treatment and

heartbreak, we were finally blessed with a pregnancy—triplets!

Fast forward 22 years: I had dedicated everything to being a mother, often putting my own health last.

By 2023, I was battling borderline diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and chronic knee and

back pain (following a spinal fusion). I also suffered from idiopathic intracranial hypertension, a

condition often linked to obesity. Something had to change.

In May 2023, at my highest weight of 333 pounds, I made the decision to reclaim my health.

I began working with Dr. Susan Kasza, my health coach Karla Saffer, and life coach Louise Sullivan. Together, we focused on nutrition, movement, and addressing long-standing emotional barriers. That summer, I found a new sense of freedom in water aerobics four nights a week—my happy place.

When the pool closed in September, I felt adrift. Living on a remote ranch in southeast Nebraska, fitness

options are limited. But I discovered a warm water arthritis class at a fitness center 35 minutes away. It

became a lifeline through the winter.

In January 2024, I joined the “A Healthier Weigh” program offered by Colorado State University

Extension. The program gave me access to a gym, but I barely used it. Anxiety and self-doubt held me

back. I was certain everyone was judging me—the “big fat lady” who didn’t belong there. When the pool

reopened in May, I had regained much of the weight I had lost.

That was my turning point. I knew I needed more help. After four denied appeals for weight loss

medication, I turned to compounded tirzepatide through Emerge. I restarted my journey in July 2024 at

325 pounds, resumed water aerobics, and leaned on the unwavering support of my care team.

Tirzepatide changed the game. It silenced the relentless inner voice that made me obsess about food.

No more reward trips for donuts or Blizzards. My cravings disappeared—and so did my emotional

dependence on food. But while the medication helped, I knew I needed to move more to keep

progressing.

In January 2025, when “A Healthier Weigh” returned, everything clicked. I stepped back into the fitness

center—this time, ready to face my fears. I still imagined people staring. I still clung to the treadmill

handrails, terrified I’d fly off the back. But I kept showing up. Three times a week, I rode the bike, walked

the treadmill, and used the NuStep—gradually increasing resistance and speed.

During a quarterly body scan, my health coach noticed I was losing muscle along with fat. It was time to

bring in a fitness advisor to strengthen and balance my workouts. When the pool reopened in May 2025,

I didn’t abandon the gym. Instead, I added upper-body training twice a week and lower-body training

twice a week before water aerobics. It became a lifestyle.

And now, unbelievably—I crave working out. I love the way it makes me feel. Yes, it takes time, but it’s

time I’ve decided to spend on myself—to be there for my husband of 30 years, our triplets, and

someday, my grandchildren.

I recently hit a major milestone: 100 pounds lost.

I still have 50 pounds to go, but I remind myself—it took 50 years to reach 333 pounds. This transformation is not about speed. It’s about commitment.

Tirzepatide is part of my journey, but the real shift happened when I made the decision to fight for a

healthier, stronger version of myself. And I’m not doing it alone. I have an incredible support team—my

doctor, health coach, life coach, and fitness advisor—all cheering me on every step of the way.

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