http://www.diet-blog.com/archives/2007/11/30/women_loses_500_lbs.phpWomen Loses 500+ Lbs
by Mike Howard
A quarter ton… Think about that for a second. That is what Grand Rapids, MI native Nancy Makin lost over the course of 3 years. In 2001, Makin weighed over 700 pounds - largely the result of emotional eating brought on by divorce and loneliness.
She spent 12 years in seclusion - only leaving her house about 10 times in that period. So how did she lose it... Surgery? Strict diet? Vigorous exercise?
A computer...
A gift from family, Nancy began to explore chat rooms and developed on-line friendships. Says Makin of the support:
Faceless strangers helped save my life because the anonymity of the internet allowed me to connect to people who wouldn't out of hand reject me because of my appearance…It was beautiful, it was anonymous. I didn't have that barrier there. They saw my wit and they saw my intelligence and I was not in that shell.
Weight aside, it is always heartwarming to hear about someone who transforms from a place of desolation and hopelessness to a place of happiness and fulfillment. Makin has kept her weight off now for over 3 years.
This goes to show how monumental the emotional side of weight loss is. Repairing the damaging emotions through positive outlets can be the catalyst for physical changes.
Way to go Nancy!
Nancy appeared on Oprah’s November 28th show. Check out the preview here.
Did SF beat her into fragile ego into submission and force her to lose weight? The time alone online certainly seems like a Getbigger.
