Weight Loss Success: Hattie Montgomery Let Go Of A Painful Past And Lost 300 Pounds

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Name: Hattie Montgomery
Age: 34
Height: 5'8"
Before Weight: 500+ pounds

How I Gained It: I came out a big baby. From day one, "plump" and "chubby" were common names for me. I was an active child, running and playing with my friends, and I thought that I ate the same as my family. Looking back, I now see that wasn't the case; I ate the same foods, just a lot more. By elementary school, I was already developing. The bullying started then and didn't stop. As the pain grew heavier, food became more comforting.

There were times during high school that I would try to lose weight, but it always came back. By the end of high school, I was already over 300 pounds. I excelled in school and loved singing. These activities were my way of escaping, the times where the pain was gone, and I could just be happy.

I carried on this way into my early 20s. At 24, I was sexually assaulted by a friend's friend. The little bit of spirit and fight that was in me suddenly was nowhere to be found. I turned to my best friend -- food -- for comfort. When I was sad, I ate. When I was afraid or angry, I ate. I eventually could no longer deal with the pain and started eating to die. I was begging to be taken. I didn't understand how my life had any purpose if all I was to people was a punching bag.

Breaking Point: I will never forget the day when I cut my leg and, instead of blood, clear liquid came out. I had such severe edema, apnea and high blood pressure that I knew my time was short. Then a few simple words changed everything. Simple kindness reminded me that I was loved and important. It suddenly made me see that giving up was not an option. I knew that it was an uphill battle because at this point I was 31 and weighed over 500 pounds, but I was ready to do whatever it took to survive. I decided I was going to save my life.

How I Lost It: A big turning point for me was letting go of the past. I had to forgive the people who hurt me, let go of the pain and sadness I felt and make my life priority number one. I started a diet program which consisted of eating 750 calories a day of specific fruits, vegetables and proteins. I was monitored closely by my doctor to make sure I was okay.

I became very dedicated to journaling my food intake and really paid attention to the quality of the food I was eating. I gave up soda, fried foods, ice cream, chips -- all those wonderful foods that we think make us feel so good. It was so hard. I often found myself crying, almost mourning the loss of my old friend.

Eventually I started adding exercise into my routine. When I first started, I could walk maybe 10 minutes a day. As I continued to push harder, that increased more and more. I took up tennis, started yoga and eventually tried jogging. Today I work out with a personal trainer who has been an amazing supporter and wonderful friend. He and I have been working together for over a year now, and he has forever changed my life. I resistance train three days a week and have such amazing balance and strength. I am also training to participate in my gym's indoor triathlon this month.

I still have more to my journey and also have some excess skin from the weight loss to deal with, but I can't express how lucky I feel to wake up each day and know that I am alive! Three years ago I was thinking about how my family would no longer be burdened by me once I died, and now I'm going to do an indoor triathlon in less than a month! I have an amazing support system of friends and family who have made my success possible, cheering me on every step of the way.

I don't know many people who get a second chance, and it is my wish to be able to take this wonderful opportunity to reach out and help people realize that it's never too late to make a change. Yes, it's hard. This will be a life-long journey for me, but I gave up all those foods I loved for all those years so that I could finally live.

After Weight: 211 pounds

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Comments

[Cody30]

06:54 AM on 04/03/2012

Congrats to you Hattie! Wishing you good health and much happiness.

[Reid Howland Geisenhof]

04:31 PM on 03/30/2012

Absolutely incredible-- so impressive. Congratulations. You look wonderful! I can only imagine how good you must feel.

[hattiemarie]

12:46 PM on 02/17/2012

Hey Everyone, this is Hattie and I just want to thank you for reading my story and celebratin­­­­­­g my success with me. It has been an amazing 3 years and I continue to grow and change everyday by being given these amazing opportunit­­­­­­ies to share with all of you. Reaching out to help others is what my true desire is, so thank you for letting me share my journey with you. For further tips and support please visit and like my fan page: Hattie Montgomery Fan Page on Facebook. You can follow me on twitter @hattiemar­ie28. **Twitter account update, please use this new account to follow me** Also please visit hattiemari­­­­­­e.usa­n­a­.­c­o­­m for more informatio­­­­­­n on the what I've used along the way! Have a wonderful day and thank you again.

[hattiemarie]

01:29 PM on 02/16/2012

Hey Everyone, this is Hattie and I just want to thank you for reading my story and celebratin­­­­­g my success with me. It has been an amazing 3 years and I continue to grow and change everyday by being given these amazing opportunit­­­­­ies to share with all of you. Reaching out to help others is what my true desire is, so thank you for letting me share my journey with you. For further tips and support please visit and like my fan page: Hattie Montgomery Fan Page on Facebook. You can follow me on twitter @hattiemarie77. Also please visit hattiemari­­­­­e.usan­a­.­c­o­m for more informatio­­­­­n on the what I've used along the way! Have a wonderful day and thank you again.

[hattiemarie]

03:05 PM on 02/16/2012

Hey guys there's so problem with the twitter right now. I'll let you know when we are back up and running so you can follow me there as well. Sorry for the delay! Thanks for all the continued support :)

[hattiemarie]

03:26 PM on 02/16/2012

There is something wrong with my twitter account. I'm sorry for the delay. I will let everyone know when it's back up and running. Thanks for your patience :)

[FreeSpeech4All]

03:39 AM on 02/16/2012

Thanks for sharing your story. I hope others find inspiration and hope to start their own journey to better health.

[hattiemarie]

01:28 PM on 02/16/2012

Thank you, it is such an honor to be able to share with everyone. I want so much to help inspire others to find their value and live healthy/happy lives. Have a great day!

[healthy chocolate]

06:32 PM on 02/15/2012

WOW!!! You guys look GREAT!

[Ablecynic]

11:43 AM on 02/15/2012

I am always impressed by the willpower that people have when they set out on this journey. Hattie lost the equivalent of two adults in her weight loss. Impressive!

[hattiemarie]

03:29 PM on 02/15/2012

Thank you so much!! Willpower is an amazing thing. You can use it in all aspects of your life to achieve great things. I'm so proud and excited to share this journey :)

[hattiemarie]

09:29 AM on 02/15/2012

Hey Everyone, this is Hattie and I just want to thank you for reading my story and celebratin­­­­g my success with me. It has been an amazing 3 years and I continue to grow and change everyday by being given these amazing opportunit­­­­ies to share with all of you. Reaching out to help others is what my true desire is, so thank you for letting me share my journey with you. For further tips and support please visit and like my fan page: Hattie Montgomery Fan Page on Facebook. Also please visit hattiemari­­­­e.usana­.­c­o­m for more informatio­­­­n on the what I've used along the way! Have a wonderful day and thank you again.

[Noreen McGillick]

11:39 AM on 02/15/2012

Good for you ! You look GREAT !

[healthy chocolate]

06:33 PM on 02/15/2012

AWESOME!!!

[annie345]

03:49 AM on 02/15/2012

I love those stories. They are wonderful and uplifting, especially the idea that as long as you are still breathing, it is never too late. The people in this article are are amazing and courageous.

[hattiemarie]

09:28 AM on 02/15/2012

That's my message...it is never too late! Thank you for celebrating all the wonderful stories and hardwork!

[LAJudy]

03:08 AM on 02/15/2012

Hattie you are Beautiful, congradulations girl. I wish you every happiness.

[hattiemarie]

09:27 AM on 02/15/2012

Thank you so much! Have a wonderful day :)

[lensamy]

01:35 PM on 02/14/2012

you go girl! you probably saved your own life! a true inspiration.

[hattiemarie]

02:32 PM on 02/14/2012

Wow, thank you so much! It means so much to read these wonderful words for everyone :)

[hattiemarie]

01:17 PM on 02/14/2012

Hey Everyone, this is Hattie and I just want to thank you for reading my story and celebratin­­­g my success with me. It has been an amazing 3 years and I continue to grown and change everyday by being given these amazing opportunit­­­ies to share with all of you. Reaching out to help others is what my true desire is, so thank you for letting me share my journey with you. For further tips and support please visit and like my fan page: Hattie Montgomery Fan Page on Facebook. Also please visit hattiemari­­­e.usana.­c­o­m for more informatio­­­n on the what I've used along the way! Have a wonderful day and thank you again

[Alvarask]

05:41 AM on 02/15/2012

Hattie, I'm very pleased for you that you feel better. However please know that good nutrition is the secret to a healthy life. I wish you well.

[ACR1226]

03:54 PM on 02/15/2012

what do you mean "however"? did you not read the story? she is aware of that.

[Doualezos55]

11:38 AM on 02/14/2012

Fantastic! That's the way to do it. You deserve a lot of credit.

[hattiemarie]

12:01 PM on 02/14/2012

Thank you so much, that meas a lot to me!

[Rodney Soyka]

05:26 AM on 02/14/2012

Forgetting those things which are past. you are an adoreable delight in the eyes of God who created you

[hattiemarie]

12:01 PM on 02/14/2012

Thank you Rodney for your wonderful words :)

[Heren916]

03:27 AM on 02/14/2012

Congrats to all these people! They all look fantastic!