In this month’s Walker Spotlight we spoke with Tina King. Tina first participated in the Cleveland, OH Walk from Obesity in 2015, and has been a continued supporter ever since.
Tired from pain caused by obesity, Tina decided to under go weight loss surgery in 2008. She was off to a good start, losing approximately 205 pounds with plans for skin removal surgery in 2011. Unfortunately life had unexpected plans for Tina. “In October of 2011 my husband passed away. It was a very hard time for me and I found myself going back to what made me happy; food. Four months later I was on my way home from work when a drunk driver hit me head on.” Tina spent the next six months in the hospital. The accident left her with two broken ankles, a broken hip, pelvis and six ribs. “I had a hard time dealing with all the new changes in my life due to the accident, and I still hadn’t processed my husband’s passing. I went back to my old ways of eating and the depression I was in was unbelievable.”
Tina started seeing her regular doctor again, who helped her regain control of her medications. After some time Tina’s doctor asked if she would be intersted in a revision surgery for weight loss. In July of 2015 Tina visited with her original surgeon. “The revision surgery changed my life! This time I went into surgery weighing 509, and now I’m a year and a half out and I weight 335. And the best part is that I’m still losing weight!”
“My surgeon told me how proud he is of me, and hearing that from him makes me feel great. I’m following the plan and exercising every day in the pool. I’m limited to what I can do because of my car accident, but my weight loss has helped a lot. This journey has been the best thing that has happened to my health and happiness.” Tina says she feels more outgoing and has also made a lot of new friends.
Following her surgery, Tina registered for the Walk from Obesity in her area. Due to her accident she wasn’t able to walk long distances, but was able to still participate using her scooter. In 2016 she registered again and was able to walk alongside her weight loss surgeon. “It made me so happy, I have pictures of him and myself walking together.”
Tina is also one of our top fundraisers for the Cleveland, OH Walk. “I feel so good doing this and knowing that I am helping more people like myself.”
We asked Tina what she would tell someone who is participating in a Walk from Obesity event this year and she said “be there and put your most into it, but most of all have fun!”
Thank you Tina for sharing your story with us, you are truly an inspiration! We can’t waiting to see you at the 2017 Cleveland, OH Walk!
Share Your Experience with Other Walkers
We are looking for individuals, teams, and past Walk Leaders who would be interested in sharing their Walk from Obesity story with us. Your story could inspire others to participate in a Walk or even motivate someone to bring the Walk from Obesity to their community .
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