Michele Mulligan Lost 171 pounds: ’I no longer fear the day ahead’

Weight-Loss Win is an original Yahoo series that shares the inspiring stories of people who have shed pounds healthfully.

Michele Mulligan is 46 and currently weighs 203 pounds. In 2014, after realizing her weight was jeopardizing her health and her quality of life, she decided to get healthy once and for all. This is the story of her weight-loss journey.

The Turning Point

My weight became a major medical issue in 2008 when I was first diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. I started taking medicine for the diabetes and also for high blood pressure and high cholesterol. I had low lung function and was told I needed oxygen 24 hours a day.

While I was alone one weekend, I realized that I wasn’t sure I could take care of myself if I had to live on my own. Simple household chores were nearly impossible for me. My health was so poor that I couldn’t stand for more than two minutes due to intense joint pain. I couldn’t walk to my mailbox without having to sit down to catch my breath. I couldn’t go to the grocery store or even get gas without it being a difficult chore. I was only 43 years old, and I knew I needed to make a change.

I made the decision in January 2014 to try one more time to lose the weight on my own without surgery, crazy diets, or pills.

The Changes

I honestly didn’t know where to start. I remember one sleepless night when I sat up all night praying to God to give me an answer that would help me know what to do. The next morning, I got up and drove to a local gym like I was on autopilot. I had no idea why I was going there or what I would do when I got there, but I went. I walked in and met Chad Abner, the trainer at Elite Fitness. He listened to everything and told me he could help me. I got his number, went back to my car, and cried. Someone was willing to help me!

In the beginning, the only change I made in my diet was that I stopped eating fast food. I did not count calories or use any specific plan; I just tried to eat at home instead of eating out. Over time, though, my nutrition plan evolved into a low-carb diet of around 1,300 calories a day.

Exercise was very basic for me in the beginning. Chad would have me walk to the front of the gym and then walk back. I would step up on a low step and then step off. He had to figure out what I was even capable of doing and start there. We gradually moved into doing high-intensity interval training because it burns more calories than simple cardio, while also incorporating strength training.

Making these changes, I was optimistic. But I was also scared that I would give up, because the amount of weight I needed to lose seemed so far out of reach. Some days I was so exhausted I didn’t know if I could go back to the gym the next day. At the time, my motivation was simply being able to move. I could walk a little farther and I could stand a little longer every day. I could also see the small, gradual weight loss.

What kept me from giving up was my trainer, Chad. He was always positive, always encouraging, and always cheering me on. I had to trust him when I didn’t trust myself, and he has never let me down.

The After

My weight loss has changed all aspects of my life. I feel stronger than I ever have. I no longer fear the day ahead of me. Emotionally, I was dead before, but now I feel like I have a sense of purpose. I feel like I matter to people, and I am not as depressed or anxious as I was in the past. Physically, I have changed in the sense that I have no limits. I can do anything I want without worrying about sitting down or losing my breath or being in pain. I have freedom I never had before.

When I started, I was on nine different medications, and I was gradually taken off all of them throughout my weight-loss process. Now I control my glucose level through my diet.

Everything surprises me after weight loss. The biggest surprise to me during weight loss was that it wasn’t that hard to make changes that showed results. I am a little surprised that I have stuck with it, though. Normally I would have let any small setback derail me. Almost three years ago I had accepted that I was dying, and now I am walking 5Ks, climbing the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb (110 floors’ worth of steps) to honor firefighters. I even climbed a mountain in Alaska in March this year. I climbed a mountain! I never thought I could do any of these things.

I am also always surprised when people reach out to me and tell me that I inspired them to start a weight-loss journey of their own. I was always on this journey for myself, but to know I might have given someone else the encouragement to try means a lot to me.

The Maintenance

These days I eat low carb (about 50-100 grams of carbs a day). A typical meal consists of about 4 ounces of lean protein, vegetables, and healthy fats. But I don’t completely restrict myself from things like chocolate or pizza. With planning, I am able to incorporate those things into my day so I don’t feel like I am on a “diet.” I wanted to be able to eat and lose weight in the real world, not be restricted by counting points or eating prepacked meals or drinking only protein shakes. I had done all those things before, and while it worked at the time, the results never lasted.

I exercise every day. I do HIIT (high-intensity interval training) with my trainer Monday through Thursday and a different workout with him on Friday. I usually work out with a friend on the weekends. I go to the gym and goof around, doing things that I like doing. I will stand on a BOSU ball to work on my balance. I will work with resistance bands to build up my glutes. On Sundays I usually don’t sweat; I just have fun.

The biggest thing that keeps me on track with diet is, every Sunday I prep all my meals for the week. I weigh out 4 ounces of lean protein and vegetables and package each meal in a container. Then all I have to do is heat it up and eat it. I will bring my lunches to work on Monday and have them ready to go in my office during the week. This keeps my eating on track and helps me stay in control of my food.

I go to the gym as if it is a job I get paid for. Working out clears my head, relieves stress, and makes me happy.

I am inspired by people who defy the odds, people who go for their dreams and know that they can achieve anything they put their mind to. My motivation still comes from people in my life: my gym friends, people I connect with on social media, and always from my trainer.

The Struggles

I struggle with sugar. I love cookies, ice cream, and chocolate. I find myself in a sugar-craving cycle sometimes, and I have to find something that will help. So I will have a chocolate protein bar or a sugar-free Popsicle. Because I am diabetic and my body craves the sugar, I try to keep the craving to a minimum. But some days I eat too many cookies. That’s just life.

Advice

My best advice is to stop making excuses and just start. If you take small steps in the right direction every day, you will start to see big changes! I always tell people that you can’t climb Mount Everest in one day; you have to do it step by step. If you stick to it and work hard, one day you will reach the top. It’s hard work, but so worth it!

All photos courtesy of Michele Miller.

Need more inspiration? Read about our other weight-loss winners!

Weight-Loss Win is authored by Andie Mitchell, who underwent a transformative 135-pound weight loss of her own.

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