Total turnaround

After a serious wake up call, Charmaine Schwenn changed her life for good

CHARMAINE SCHWENN

Age 36 Durban Weight Loss 70kg Height 1.70

I've always been a big girl and went on my first diet when I was just eight years old. My success was limited — I would lose weight, and then inevitably regain it, setting myself up for years of yo-yo dieting and unhappiness.

By the time I had finished high school, my mom had to make my clothes as the shops didn’t stock big enough sizes. Over the years, the problem escalated and soon I was tipping the scale at an alarming 135kg. I struggled with sleep apnoea, water retention and mild chest pains, which worried me greatly. In December 2004, I lost my father to a heart attack. My mother had also suffered a heart attack in 2001, so from a family history perspective, things did not bode well for me.

I realised that I was killing myself one meal at a time, and had to do something about my weight that would be permanent and give me a real chance of success. I decided to undergo a gastric bypass operation. At first, my family was against it. The surgery can be dangerous, and with my weight being what it was, they were terrified I might not survive the surgery. But I was determined and began thorough research into the procedure and the doctors available to perform it in SA. I found the best surgeon at Unitas Hospital in Pretoria and scheduled an appointment. He told me I was a good subject for the operation, as my BMI was 47 and my weight was classified as morbidly obese. But he had some conditions: I had to prove I was committed to changing my lifestyle by losing 10kg before surgery. I also had to go for counselling and meet with a dietitian to ensure that I would not repeat the same mistakes.

After meeting his requirements, I underwent the surgery. Financially, it was a huge strain as medical aids don’t cover it — but it is the single best thing I could have done for my health and happiness.
I’ve lost an amazing 70kg and know the question on everybody’s lips is whether I’ll be able to maintain it. Well, it’s been two years now and I’ve completely turned my life around. I go to gym five mornings a week and have learnt to see food as fuel for life rather than emotional comfort. I only eat food that will nourish my body, and follow a low-fat, low-GI eating plan. I no longer have raging cravings because I keep my blood-sugar levels steady throughout the day. This has made me realise that what and how I ate before was a big part of the problem — it wasn’t just my willpower (or lack thereof).

I’m finally living a normal life, without fear of discrimination and ridicule, and I am so excited to be able to wear a pair of jeans. That may seem like a small thing, but for someone who had to have clothes specially made for her, fitting into a size 34 is an incredible milestone.

“I’ve lost an amazing 70kg!”

Motivational Tips:

▶Grow your circle of friends to include people who live a healthy lifestyle — they’ll inspire you.
▶Start exercising with a gym buddy for extra motivation.
▶Recognise that you only have one life and one body — choose to make the best of it. Food is there to nourish, so make healthy choices!

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