Cancer survivor returns to nature to get out of the woods
When Ladonna Causey "got away from it all" last summer, she didn't take a Club Med vacation or mountain hiking trip. Not even a Caribbean cruise or European adventure would suffice this time. Instead, she went on a different kind of journey, one she started 32 years ago as a high school student.
That's when Ladonna's weight began to yo-yo. She continued to gain and lose weight in college and during her three pregnancies. But her health struggle became a battle in 2002 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Unfortunately, chemotherapy wasn't effective, so she underwent a double mastectomy. Still, cancer didn't release its grip on Ladonna. She was diagnosed with pre-uterine cancer in 2006, and had her uterus and ovaries removed.
Meanwhile, Ladonna was also trying to manage her full-time job, raise three children, and run a household. Worse, her marriage was on the rocks. The stress in her life was so great, she had to take sleeping pills at night to reduce her anxiety.
Ladonna also had a ruptured disc in her back and a torn meniscus in her knee. Her excess weight made it difficult to walk, and she couldn't go a day without pain medication.
It's no wonder she turned to food for comfort. Her diet consisted of high-fat and high-sodium foods. She regularly ate pizza, ice cream, and lots of carbs, pushing her weight to 225 pounds. Her health battle soon became a war.
Then something in Ladonna snapped last summer. The stress and pain were too much. She couldn't take it anymore. Ladonna knew she had to change her life immediately if she was going to be happy again. So she ventured into the wilderness to spend seven days alone in a cabin.
There she read books on health, nutrition, and spiritual growth and development. She learned how to become less dependent on her medications, and wrote extensively in a journal.
She also prayed to God for guidance. She learned that she was responsible for her health, and needed to focus on herself and her needs right now.
Ladonna returned from the cabin refreshed, and with a new outlook on life. She knew what she had to do to get her life back on track, starting with losing weight. So she quit her job and joined L A Weight Loss.
Working with the personal weight loss counselors, Ladonna learned how to eat healthy foods in proper portions. She also started eating more fresh foods, and drinking more water. And L A Weight Loss's weekly weigh-ins kept her accountable and on track.
Ladonna lost 35 pounds by December. She felt her health coming back, and saw a light at the end of the tunnel.
Proof of her new strength came the day after Christmas, when her husband of 14 years unexpectedly left the family. Ladonna was devastated at first, but at the same time, she felt at ease. For the first time in years, her health and sanity were returning.
She continued losing weight on the L A Weight Loss plan, and today is at her goal weight of 160 pounds!! She feels like a new person! Her knee is improved, and she no longer takes sleeping pills and pain medication. Ladonna also got her real estate license, and loves her new job.
Plus, she's more social, and enjoys going out. On weekends, Ladonna likes to go hiking, and is taking salsa and tango lessons. She's even testing the dating waters again!
With her life falling into place, Ladonna has considered having reconstructive surgery on her breasts. But she's not sure if she wants to go through more surgery, and besides, most people don't even notice -- they're too distracted by her smiling face!
The best part of Ladonna's weight loss journey is feeling healthier. She has a sense of accomplishment, and feels she can conquer anything now. Ladonna has created a new vision for her life, one with health, happiness, and peace.
Congrats, Ladonna! You're a great inspiration to people everywhere! Way to go!
This is Ladonna at her heaviest, clocking in at 225 pounds:
And here she is today, a new person at 160 pounds. Great job, Ladonna!!
FAST FACTS
Name: Ladonna Causey
Hometown: New Braunfels, Texas
Age: 46
Height: 5'5"
Starting weight: 225
Goal weight: 160 pounds
Current weight: 160 pounds
Program start date: July 2006
Favorite food: Mexican food and ice cream.
Biggest temptation: Chips and salsa.
Biggest motivator: Getting healthy.
Biggest obstacle: Having a fridge full of unhealthy food, and being stressed out.
Old eating philosophy: Eating whatever was convenient or what the family wanted.
New eating philosophy: Supporting her health with fresh, unprocessed foods.
Best thing about losing weight: Improving her health and eliminating body pains.
Best weight loss secret learned: When you reach a plateau, try eating only protein, fruits, and vegetables for two days. It can boost your body to lose the weight.
That's when Ladonna's weight began to yo-yo. She continued to gain and lose weight in college and during her three pregnancies. But her health struggle became a battle in 2002 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Unfortunately, chemotherapy wasn't effective, so she underwent a double mastectomy. Still, cancer didn't release its grip on Ladonna. She was diagnosed with pre-uterine cancer in 2006, and had her uterus and ovaries removed.
Meanwhile, Ladonna was also trying to manage her full-time job, raise three children, and run a household. Worse, her marriage was on the rocks. The stress in her life was so great, she had to take sleeping pills at night to reduce her anxiety.
Ladonna also had a ruptured disc in her back and a torn meniscus in her knee. Her excess weight made it difficult to walk, and she couldn't go a day without pain medication.
It's no wonder she turned to food for comfort. Her diet consisted of high-fat and high-sodium foods. She regularly ate pizza, ice cream, and lots of carbs, pushing her weight to 225 pounds. Her health battle soon became a war.
Then something in Ladonna snapped last summer. The stress and pain were too much. She couldn't take it anymore. Ladonna knew she had to change her life immediately if she was going to be happy again. So she ventured into the wilderness to spend seven days alone in a cabin.
There she read books on health, nutrition, and spiritual growth and development. She learned how to become less dependent on her medications, and wrote extensively in a journal.
She also prayed to God for guidance. She learned that she was responsible for her health, and needed to focus on herself and her needs right now.
Ladonna returned from the cabin refreshed, and with a new outlook on life. She knew what she had to do to get her life back on track, starting with losing weight. So she quit her job and joined L A Weight Loss.
Working with the personal weight loss counselors, Ladonna learned how to eat healthy foods in proper portions. She also started eating more fresh foods, and drinking more water. And L A Weight Loss's weekly weigh-ins kept her accountable and on track.
Ladonna lost 35 pounds by December. She felt her health coming back, and saw a light at the end of the tunnel.
Proof of her new strength came the day after Christmas, when her husband of 14 years unexpectedly left the family. Ladonna was devastated at first, but at the same time, she felt at ease. For the first time in years, her health and sanity were returning.
She continued losing weight on the L A Weight Loss plan, and today is at her goal weight of 160 pounds!! She feels like a new person! Her knee is improved, and she no longer takes sleeping pills and pain medication. Ladonna also got her real estate license, and loves her new job.
Plus, she's more social, and enjoys going out. On weekends, Ladonna likes to go hiking, and is taking salsa and tango lessons. She's even testing the dating waters again!
With her life falling into place, Ladonna has considered having reconstructive surgery on her breasts. But she's not sure if she wants to go through more surgery, and besides, most people don't even notice -- they're too distracted by her smiling face!
The best part of Ladonna's weight loss journey is feeling healthier. She has a sense of accomplishment, and feels she can conquer anything now. Ladonna has created a new vision for her life, one with health, happiness, and peace.
Congrats, Ladonna! You're a great inspiration to people everywhere! Way to go!
This is Ladonna at her heaviest, clocking in at 225 pounds:
And here she is today, a new person at 160 pounds. Great job, Ladonna!!
FAST FACTS
Name: Ladonna Causey
Hometown: New Braunfels, Texas
Age: 46
Height: 5'5"
Starting weight: 225
Goal weight: 160 pounds
Current weight: 160 pounds
Program start date: July 2006
Favorite food: Mexican food and ice cream.
Biggest temptation: Chips and salsa.
Biggest motivator: Getting healthy.
Biggest obstacle: Having a fridge full of unhealthy food, and being stressed out.
Old eating philosophy: Eating whatever was convenient or what the family wanted.
New eating philosophy: Supporting her health with fresh, unprocessed foods.
Best thing about losing weight: Improving her health and eliminating body pains.
Best weight loss secret learned: When you reach a plateau, try eating only protein, fruits, and vegetables for two days. It can boost your body to lose the weight.
Labels: 65 pounds, Back pain, Breast cancer, Ladonna Causey, Pre-uterine cancer, Ruptured disc, Texas, Torn meniscus
posted by Jackie Zima-Evans @ 9:30 AM
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