Lose the Weight or Lose Your Limbs!

BEFORE

As we celebrate Women’s Health Month, I am sharing my personal health journey with the hope of

inspiring others to prioritize their physical and mental well-being—before it’s too late. My story is a

testament to just how close I came to not making it.

I remember vividly the day I stepped into Dr. Cleo Williams’ office for my regular three-month

checkup. This visit, however, turned out to be anything but routine.

In her unmistakable Greek accent, she delivered words that rocked me to my core: “Lynda, your A1C

is continually increasing. Right now, it’s 9.1, and your weight is 238! At this point, all I can tell you is,

lose the weight or plan on losing your limbs.”

Her bluntness didn’t surprise me, but the fear she invoked was like nothing I'd felt before—fear of the

unthinkable. "Cut off my limbs!" I thought in disbelief. I knew diabetes could lead to complications, but

the thought of losing my feet and legs hit me like a lightning bolt. I wanted to keep them—needed to

keep them.

That moment marked the beginning of a difficult journey. Determined to take control, I started

exploring exercise options, dabbling in Groupon deals for fitness classes.

Although I wasn’t a total couch potato, my activity level was far from where it needed to be. My diet

was just as chaotic, filled with convenience foods, particularly since I spent almost every month

traveling back and forth to Ohio to care for my dad.

At that point, my priorities revolved around everyone but myself—my husband, my son, and my three

terminally ill parents. I put their needs ahead of my own, but that realization hit me hard: I couldn’t

keep neglecting my health. Something had to change, and fast.

But did I take immediate, consistent action? Well, yes—and no. I tried various fitness routines and

diets, but I was inconsistent.

Fast forward a year later: One evening, I went to bed feeling like I had a runny nose. Suddenly, blood

began streaming down my nostrils, accompanied by a strange gurgling noise in my head. While

nosebleeds weren’t new to me, this one was frighteningly different—it wouldn’t stop.

Within 24 hours, I found myself in the emergency room, followed by multiple doctor visits, and

ultimately back at the hospital. In just one hour, I was rushed into surgery. My hemoglobin levels had

dropped from 9.4 to a critical 4.5, and my body was on the brink of organ failure.

I was bleeding to death. After coding on the table, a transfusion of five units of blood and surgery to

repair the damage, my road to recovery was grueling and fraught with setbacks.

Despite a prognosis predicting partial disability and not being able to walk across the room

unassisted, I resolved to make a full recovery. This determination extended to losing

weight—something I had attempted countless times before. This time, however, I was unwavering in

my commitment, just as I have been with every other goal I truly set my mind to achieving.

Fast forward to 2025, I have maintained my commitment and dedication to a healthy lifestyle and

staying active. It began a year after my surgery when my husband purchased a Groupon to

Pedalspin, a local spin studio . There, I found my tribe, my vibe and my fitness coach – my fitness

muse. It started with a five-class pass, and transformed into a life-changing journey, and I haven’t

stopped spinning since.

Over time, I expanded my routine to include strength training and walking alongside spinning.

The last time that Dr. Williams saw me she said, ‘Is that Lynda?” And my husband Michael proudly

said, “It sure is!”

I lost the weight, have kept it off for over a decade, and my limbs remain fully intact—a testament to

commitment, perseverance and the power of determination.