For years, Anddy’s life was defined by her battle with weight – shaped by cultural expectations, personal struggles, and a relentless inner voice of self-doubt. At 49 years old, she decided to make a change, and today, she’s rewriting her story and redefining what it means to be healthy – not just physically, but emotionally and mentally as well. Her journey is one of resilience and self-discovery, and speaks to the power of a supportive relationship with a physician.
A Childhood Marked by Change
Anddy’s relationship with food and her body began to change at 13, when her family immigrated to the United States from the Dominican Republic. “In my culture, being skinny is considered unhealthy,” she explains. Encouraged to eat more, she gained weight rapidly, and the shift didn’t go unnoticed. Hurtful comments from those around her made her feel ashamed and alone. Though she says now that she always made sure to act confident and carefree around her friends, inside she grappled with feelings of loneliness and inadequacy.
“Behind closed doors, it was a very sad time for me,” she admits. “I was really struggling.”
The Physical and Emotional Toll
As Anddy entered adulthood, her weight, which had crept up to 400 pounds, began to significantly impact her health. By 29, she was dealing with sleep apnea, limited mobility, and daily physical pain. Her family history of heart disease was a real source of concern, as was her physical limitations. “I couldn’t even walk up a flight of stairs without stopping,” she remembers. These challenges prompted her to undergo bariatric surgery, and while the procedure led to dramatic weight loss—230 pounds—it didn’t address the root of her struggle.
“I thought [the surgery] was going to be it,” Anddy says. “I was going to be cured.” But without support, she didn’t know how to sustain her progress. Over time, the weight crept back, bringing with it old feelings of shame. “I went through all of that, and then I started regaining weight. I felt like I failed… It was very traumatic for me.”
Motivated by a diagnosis of high blood pressure and pre-diabetes, Anddy says she tried so many different approaches to get her weight back down after the surgery, but that “every time just felt worse because I lost some weight, but I regained back more than what I lost,” describing a cycle familiar to most dieters.
The Turning Point
The shift came two decades later, inspired by a desire to be there for her teenage daughter. “She was turning 16, and I said, I want to be here for her,” Anddy says. A conversation with a close friend led her to a weight management specialist who fundamentally changed her approach.
“I’ve seen a lot of doctors in my life and I will say this – the doctors out there, they are brutal. They make you feel that you did something wrong,” she shares. “What was different about this doctor was that… she was there to help me. She didn’t make me feel like I did something wrong.”
This specialist helped her understand that obesity is a chronic condition, not a personal failing. Anddy describes her conversations with her doctor as focusing on, “we’re going to work to make sure that we address [the medical issues] so that you can lose the weight and be healthy.” She also adds that she learned, “It’s not my fault… no one said that to me before.”
And the good news is that today, there are solutions that can address the underlying biology of obesity – effective medical treatments that can help people reach and sustain a healthier weight.
The Power of Support
Anddy’s success came from a blend of effective medical treatments, guidance from her physician and a robust support system. Her husband decided to join her journey, adopting healthier eating habits and exercising with her. “We go for walks together, and it’s our time to bond,” she says.
And her healthcare team has consistently been cheerleaders for her. “They celebrate everything,” Anddy explains. “And even when you don’t lose anything, they still celebrate that. So it makes your journey easier.”
Health and Happiness
Today, Anddy has shed the weight of more than just pounds; she’s let go of guilt, shame, and self-criticism. She now delights in everyday victories that once felt impossible, enjoying activities like climbing stairs, walking long distances, and even indulging in occasional treats without guilt. “I don’t deprive myself of something when I want it, because I’ve learned that if I eat it one day, I’m not going to gain 100 pounds.”
Her health has also dramatically improved. She’s no longer on blood pressure medication, her blood sugar levels are stable, and she’s free of the chronic pain that once defined her life. “Taking the stairs. I do that just for fun,” she laughs. She’s also lowered her risk of the cardiovascular issues that so many members of her family have had.
She recalls that in the past, “I had to think about so many ailments that I didn’t have time to really enjoy my life.” But her proudest moment came before her father’s passing. “He is always thinking about my health,” she says. “When he saw me before he got sick, he said, ‘Oh my God, you are healthy.’ That meant everything to me.”
A Message for Others
Anddy’s journey is a testament to resilience and the importance of support. To those still struggling, she offers simple yet powerful advice: “You can start at any time. And it’s not going to happen overnight. Take the small wins… [losing] one pound is one pound less. But one pound turns into ten into 20.”
She also urges people to show compassion toward those living in larger bodies. “Obesity is a medical condition, not a lack of discipline,” she emphasizes. “We give grace to people with other illnesses – why not extend the same kindness to those with obesity?”
For Anddy, her journey is far from over. But with her newfound confidence and the tools to maintain her health, she’s ready to embrace whatever comes next.
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This article was sponsored by Novo Nordisk. All content is created independently by My Weight – What To Know with no influence from Novo Nordisk.
