See how this 33-year-old woman transformed her life by shedding half her weight
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Disclaimer: This article mentions weight loss, depression, and body dysmorphia. Discretion is advised. Readers are also advised to consult their doctors before starting any weight loss regimen.
For many years, Candace Streich, a 33-year-old woman from Michigan, battled a painful cycle of emotional eating and self-doubt due to obesity.
However, she successfully made a huge transformation and turned her life around.
Here’s her story.
When she turned 30, Candace realised that she had spent most of her hiding, but she overcame her fear of the scale and realised that her weight had increased to around 136 kilograms.
That was when she decided to take the plunge and undergo vertical sleeve gastrectomy surgery in December 2022.
Since the surgery 15 months ago, Candace has lost 68 kilograms.
‘As a kid, I got the "big boned" label and took my fair share of teasing and being picked on for not being small like the other girls,' she said.
'I'll never forget that time I tried out for cheerleading, and my solo cheer turned into a giggle fest because I was the "bigger" girl in the tryouts.’
'They even poked fun at my so-called chubby hands with "missing” knuckles,’ she sadly recalled.
She sought comfort in food as she was mocked.
‘In my teens, I was chowing down on a whopping 3,000 plus calories daily,' she admitted.
'I'd go all-in on bags and boxes of food just to see if I could finish all of it. Greasy, salty, and heavily processed foods were my kryptonite.'
Her go-to McDonald's order of a double quarter pounder with cheese, a 10-piece nugget, large fries, a sweet tea, and a McChicken comforted her.
‘Depression was my constant companion,' she said.
'I felt like life had boxed me in, my self-esteem was a no-show, and I was stuck in oversized, frumpy out.'
Candace reflected on her life as she got older. She realised she was unhappy, and her conditions like sleep apnea, plantar fasciitis, and prediabetes took a toll on her life.
'I had turned 30. Others my age were happy and thriving, but here I was, just trying to survive and hiding from the world,' she said.
She recalled that she was 'too afraid' to step on the scale but knew her weight was over 136 kilograms.
Candace also needs to face a huge battle with her mental and emotional demons.
‘I had my fair share of ups and downs.’
'Some days, those changing hormones would bring on tears, and I'd get cravings for comfort food, even though I physically couldn't indulge.’
Candace’s body dysmorphia doubted her progress towards weight loss.
‘That's where therapy came in, helping me sort through those emotions and changes,’ she said.
However, she needed to prepare herself towards her weight loss journey and emphasised how important it was for her.
‘I had to mentally prepare myself [to] understand that giving up wasn't an option; it was a lifelong commitment,’ she said.
‘Once I had mentally prepared myself, I found the strength to trust and follow the process, knowing that setbacks and plateaus are all part of the deal.’
Candace made a total overhaul of her lifestyle after her surgery. Her technique is to control portions of what she eats.
She said goodbye to her greasy, salty, and heavily processed food cravings, now focusing on high-protein foods.
Loading up her plate with veggies and complex carbs, she did meal preparations twice a week and made sure she had plenty of healthy alternatives for snacks and quick meals–cottage cheese being a new favourite.
She ate between 85 and 141 grams of food and aimed to consume 75 grams to 150 grams of protein daily.
She also ensured she exercised by going to the gym four to five times a week.
‘If I skip the gym, I make it an active rest day, but I still get my steps in and walk 1 mile (1.6 km),' she said.
'Being active has given me newfound energy. I no longer need to nap during the day and wake up feeling energised every morning.’
Although Candace has dealt with a lot of loose skin from her weight loss, she had no plans to remove it, as it was not her top priority yet.
‘My main focus is on taming that relentless inner dialogue about food,' she explained.
‘Even though my weight is now in a healthy range, I recognise the importance of continuously improving my relationship with food.’
‘Before the surgery, I was already engaged in therapy to develop strategies for avoiding emotional eating, and I still go to therapy to maintain that progress.’
Using her social media platform, Candace has connected with others who have had weight loss surgery or plan on getting it.
She aims to maintain her weight loss, continue her fitness routine, and embrace a happy and healthy life.
She encourages everyone to prioritise their health and search for available options on weight loss methods, saying that your future self will thank you.
Candace isn’t alone in her journey towards weight loss. In a previous story, a 72-year-old woman also took the plunge to lose up to 72 kilos naturally. What’s her secret? You can check her story here.
While we look forward to Candace’s updates on her weight loss journey, please remember that her methods may not work for others and should not be taken as medical advice. Please consult with your GP before starting any fitness or wellness program.
Members, what do you think of Candace’s journey? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
For many years, Candace Streich, a 33-year-old woman from Michigan, battled a painful cycle of emotional eating and self-doubt due to obesity.
However, she successfully made a huge transformation and turned her life around.
Here’s her story.
When she turned 30, Candace realised that she had spent most of her hiding, but she overcame her fear of the scale and realised that her weight had increased to around 136 kilograms.
That was when she decided to take the plunge and undergo vertical sleeve gastrectomy surgery in December 2022.
Candace Streich decided to turn her life around through her weight loss journey. Credit: @candace_the_sleeved_redhead / Instagram
Since the surgery 15 months ago, Candace has lost 68 kilograms.
‘As a kid, I got the "big boned" label and took my fair share of teasing and being picked on for not being small like the other girls,' she said.
'I'll never forget that time I tried out for cheerleading, and my solo cheer turned into a giggle fest because I was the "bigger" girl in the tryouts.’
'They even poked fun at my so-called chubby hands with "missing” knuckles,’ she sadly recalled.
She sought comfort in food as she was mocked.
‘In my teens, I was chowing down on a whopping 3,000 plus calories daily,' she admitted.
'I'd go all-in on bags and boxes of food just to see if I could finish all of it. Greasy, salty, and heavily processed foods were my kryptonite.'
Her go-to McDonald's order of a double quarter pounder with cheese, a 10-piece nugget, large fries, a sweet tea, and a McChicken comforted her.
‘Depression was my constant companion,' she said.
'I felt like life had boxed me in, my self-esteem was a no-show, and I was stuck in oversized, frumpy out.'
Candace reflected on her life as she got older. She realised she was unhappy, and her conditions like sleep apnea, plantar fasciitis, and prediabetes took a toll on her life.
'I had turned 30. Others my age were happy and thriving, but here I was, just trying to survive and hiding from the world,' she said.
She recalled that she was 'too afraid' to step on the scale but knew her weight was over 136 kilograms.
Candace also needs to face a huge battle with her mental and emotional demons.
‘I had my fair share of ups and downs.’
'Some days, those changing hormones would bring on tears, and I'd get cravings for comfort food, even though I physically couldn't indulge.’
Candace started to be mindful of what she eats. Credit: @candace_the_sleeved_redhead / Instagram
Candace’s body dysmorphia doubted her progress towards weight loss.
‘That's where therapy came in, helping me sort through those emotions and changes,’ she said.
However, she needed to prepare herself towards her weight loss journey and emphasised how important it was for her.
‘I had to mentally prepare myself [to] understand that giving up wasn't an option; it was a lifelong commitment,’ she said.
‘Once I had mentally prepared myself, I found the strength to trust and follow the process, knowing that setbacks and plateaus are all part of the deal.’
Candace made a total overhaul of her lifestyle after her surgery. Her technique is to control portions of what she eats.
She said goodbye to her greasy, salty, and heavily processed food cravings, now focusing on high-protein foods.
Loading up her plate with veggies and complex carbs, she did meal preparations twice a week and made sure she had plenty of healthy alternatives for snacks and quick meals–cottage cheese being a new favourite.
She ate between 85 and 141 grams of food and aimed to consume 75 grams to 150 grams of protein daily.
She also ensured she exercised by going to the gym four to five times a week.
‘If I skip the gym, I make it an active rest day, but I still get my steps in and walk 1 mile (1.6 km),' she said.
'Being active has given me newfound energy. I no longer need to nap during the day and wake up feeling energised every morning.’
Although Candace has dealt with a lot of loose skin from her weight loss, she had no plans to remove it, as it was not her top priority yet.
‘My main focus is on taming that relentless inner dialogue about food,' she explained.
‘Even though my weight is now in a healthy range, I recognise the importance of continuously improving my relationship with food.’
‘Before the surgery, I was already engaged in therapy to develop strategies for avoiding emotional eating, and I still go to therapy to maintain that progress.’
Using her social media platform, Candace has connected with others who have had weight loss surgery or plan on getting it.
She aims to maintain her weight loss, continue her fitness routine, and embrace a happy and healthy life.
She encourages everyone to prioritise their health and search for available options on weight loss methods, saying that your future self will thank you.
Candace isn’t alone in her journey towards weight loss. In a previous story, a 72-year-old woman also took the plunge to lose up to 72 kilos naturally. What’s her secret? You can check her story here.
While we look forward to Candace’s updates on her weight loss journey, please remember that her methods may not work for others and should not be taken as medical advice. Please consult with your GP before starting any fitness or wellness program.
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