My name is Crystal Lax and I would like to tell you my story. I spent my 20s having kids. I married and had my first baby at the age of 20. My second daughter was born when I was 23 and my son when I was 27. I really enjoy being a young mom even more so now that my kids are getting older. One huge mistake I made in my 20s, while mothering infants, juggling a full time job, and going back to school at 25, was completely neglecting myself. My health, appearance, well-being, self esteem, attitude, and vitality didn’t matter. Anything about me completely took a backseat to being a young, struggling couple trying to find our way in the world. I made very poor choices when it came to what I put in my body. If I wanted a bacon cheeseburger with fries, I had one. If I wanted ice cream, I ate it. I very rarely ate fruits or vegetables. I almost never drank water but instead opted for Coca-Cola. I will say I wasn’t someone who gorged myself on food. I definitely ate more than I needed, but it was the choices of what I ate that landed me at 260 lbs.
Although I was very unhappy with myself I never could seem to find any sustainable method of correcting the problem. I would try something only to fall right back into the same old ways. I am, admittedly, a control freak. I’m the oldest of four children and anyone who knows me will tell you I can be bossy and demanding. Not having control of my own body took a toll on my personality. I didn’t like my appearance and my insecurities lead to a really bad attitude and outlook on life. I was mean and bitter. I hated myself so much that it was affecting my life in so many ways!
It took a picture to make me change. My friend was getting married and eight months before the wedding we went to try on bridesmaid dresses. When I saw a picture of myself in the dress I was completely appalled! How could I possibly have allowed myself to gain so much weight? I wasn’t comfortable in my own skin! I had to gain control of myself and reclaim my body. In January 2013, I started weight watchers (for the 2nd time). I followed that diet so strictly for six months and I didn’t even reach 20 lbs lost! How could this be? I was so disheartened and defeated. A few weeks after I had given up WW, I woke up knowing things had to change. I remember the exact day; it was June 13, 2013. I decided that I wasn’t educated enough on how our bodies work. Maybe I could benefit from actually doing some research and learning about food and how it’s metabolized. I took to the internet to see what I could find to help me bring about the change I so desperately wanted. I started with clean eating and did some juice fasting, but the more I researched the more I kept coming back to a plant-based diet. I spent three months reading, researching, and testing out a plant-based diet. Once I started feeling so much better, I knew this was exactly what I was searching for.
On February 9, 2014, I turned 32 years old and February 10, 2014, I said goodbye to animal protein. I spent the next year and a half trying to find my way. An old friend of mine told me about high carb, low fat, plant-based eating, and I had some success with Raw til 4 and 80/10/10, but I just could not sustain following it. I would yo-yo between doing it and having periods of “bad” vegan eating. It wasn’t until October 2015, that I finally decided I needed to push forward with more weight loss and decided to give Dr. McDougall’s plan a try. I read a few of his books and started following his way of eating on November 9, 2015, and I haven’t looked back! I am losing weight more consistently than ever. In just seven months of following Dr. McDougall’s starch-based diet I have lost the same amount of weight it took me a year and a half to lose eating vegan. I’m meeting goals with little effort! I really believe this is the answer I have been searching for all these years to help me shed the extra weight and be the best me possible!
I am now 90 lbs lighter than that version of me who was so completely unhappy. My attitude has changed tremendously. I am positive and optimistic and I feel (and look!) younger than I have my entire adult life! Not only am I physically changing, I am mentally and spiritually growing as well. Currently, I’m very steadily losing about one to two lbs a week. I’m thrilled to be in control again and headed to my goal weight. I don’t count calories, which is something I had done in the past with little success and a lot of misery. I eat as much as I want of the right kinds of food that give me energy and keep me satisfied. After meals I don’t feel sluggish but rather energized and rejuvenated.
I’m so grateful that I ended up on this path of change. I’m thankful my husband never left me. When a person hates themselves they are almost impossible to love. Our relationship not only survived, it’s now the best it’s ever been! I’m so lucky I didn’t get diabetes or any other health issues. Taking control of my diet has transformed my life in so many amazing ways. If you are considering taking control of your health or appearance, look into Dr. McDougall’s way of eating. He has helped so many people lose weight and cure diseases and ailments. I’m very excited to finish the journey to being a healthy weight that I started almost three years ago. I’m doing this for me. You can follow my transformation at: http://www.facebook.com/crystalcarbsup.
The picture of me with the dog food was taken June 1, 2016, the day I woke up to the scale telling me I had passed the 80 lbs lost mark (81!). In front of me is 80 lbs of dog food that I couldn’t even lift! It really puts things into perspective of how far I have come.
Chrystal Lax