Lekarze dawali jej kilka miesięcy życia
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At only five feet tall (1.524 metres) and weighing 730 lbs (331 kgs), Nikki Aguayo's weight was literally crushing her from the inside out.
In 2022, Nikki's heart started failing. She was rushed to hospital and put on oxygen. Doctors gave her a harrowing prognosis: just a few months to live.
"I was told I wouldn't live past December 2023," recalled Nikki, who works as a dispatcher.
"As a single mum, the thought of leaving my two daughters behind was unbearable. It was this maternal instinct, coupled with a spark of hope, that ignited my will to fight for my life."
Since childhood, Nikki has had a complicated relationship with food.
"People often have a lot to say, thinking they know why someone might be overweight, labelling us as lazy or assuming all we do is sit around munching on junk food. Sure, some stereotypes have a grain of truth, but it's not the whole story. There's often a lot of mental and emotional stuff going on behind the scenes that people don't see," she noted.
"Throughout my life, I've endured a series of traumatic experiences. I was raped, molested and beaten by my husband. My mum passed away. My daughter struggled with addiction. I miscarried. All of these traumas led me to seek comfort in food. The challenge with food addiction, unlike other addictions, is that temptation lurks on nearly every corner, from fast-food chains to convenience stores, making it a constant battle."
Over the past year, Nikki has been working hard to change her relationship with food. She has learned to recognise and resist the urge for unnecessary second helpings and to be okay with not feeling hungry.
Numerous lifestyle changes have led to her losing over 335 lbs (151 kgs) and shedding 292 inches (741 centimetres) off her body. To date, Nikkie has dropped two dress sizes.
"I've steered clear of surgeries and medical interventions, choosing a more natural path instead. My daily routine includes drinking two protein shakes, complemented by fruits, greens, collagen, and an elixir product. These have helped my overall health and even made my hair grow. Despite incorporating these products, I haven't restricted myself from enjoying regular food. I firmly believe in moderation over restriction. Telling myself I can't have something only increases the craving, so instead, I focus on portion control, which has been a game-changer for me," Nikki admitted.
"Stress still gets to me, and I find myself struggling with food choices during those times. Life's been a bit of a rollercoaster, what with my daughter getting married, job shifts, and some tough personal losses. There were days I just couldn't eat much and ended up living off protein bars. My weight's been all over the place, really showing me there's no magic recipe for this whole weight loss thing. But trying different stuff, like fasting or cutting back on carbs, has taught me a lot. While indulging in sweets like doughnuts, cakes, or Twinkies is tempting, it's important to prioritise healthier choices like fruits, proteins, and vegetables. I don't believe in extreme dietary restrictions, such as completely cutting out carbs or sugars. It's about setting realistic expectations and not depriving oneself of the occasional treat, like a cup of rice or a tortilla, because absolute denial can lead to stronger cravings."
Nikki continued: "Recently, I went back to the hospital for an EKG to see whether my heart had improved. The doctors couldn't believe how much weight I'd lost. The other day, I managed to put on a bra without needing an extender and let me tell you, it felt amazing. It made me realise all the little things I'd taken for granted."
Encouraged by her daughter, Nikki took a bold step to share her weight loss journey online, never anticipating the ripple effect it would create. With each post, Nikki peeled back the layers of her struggle, sharing her journey's raw and honest moments.
"I'm very open on social media. I've done videos detailing how my weight has fluctuated and spoken candidly about setbacks I've faced, like climbing back up to 568 lbs (257 kgs)."
Nikki has been working with a trainer who has helped her figure out what food and exercise work best for her.
"My main focus right now is improving my ability to walk more comfortably and stand for longer periods. I dream of strolling through malls and shops without my joints burning and constantly searching for a place to sit. I remember a trip to Caesar's Palace, where I realised how much I wanted this simple freedom. And it's not just about shopping; I've never been to a concert, and I long to experience one without worrying about sitting or standing for long periods. I have to build my endurance to stand and walk. This means regular workouts, which I jokingly refer to as sessions in 'the dungeon,' focusing on movement and strengthening various parts of my body," she explained.
Looking to the future, Nikki has said her body is a work in progress.
"Every day, I'm one step closer to my goal weight. I know I still have a long way to go, but with every pound that comes off, I get to live life again. My message to others wanting to reclaim their life is to never give up," she concluded.
Looking to the future, Nikki has said her body is ‘a work in progress’ but she’s proud of how far she’s come.
“Every day I’m one step closer to my goal weight. I know I still have a long way to go but every pound that comes off I get to live life again. My message to others wanting to reclaim their life is don’t ever give up, no matter how hard things are. Doing Hard Things has become a mantra for both me and my followers. Like, when I first started sharing my weight loss journey, I was real about the struggles. I encouraged everyone to just get moving in any way they could, no matter how small. I mean, back in the
day, you'd catch me sitting down to clean or cook because that's all I could manage. But now, things have changed for the better. This whole 'Doing Hard Things' vibe really caught on, and now my followers are sharing their own challenges, which is awesome. It's gotten so big, I've even started a little T-shirt biz on the side.”
Featuring: Nikki Aguayo
Where: Arizona, United States
When: 04 Apr 2024
Credit: @newnikki300/Cover Images
**EDITORIAL USE ONLY. MATERIALS ONLY TO BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH EDITORIAL STORY. THE USE OF THESE MATERIALS FOR ADVERTISING, MARKETING OR ANY OTHER COMMERCIAL PURPOSE IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. MATERIAL COPYRIGHT REMAINS WITH STATED PHOTOGRAPHER AND/OR SUPPLIER.**
2024-04-04
Cover Images/East News
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