At 41 years old, Julie Marchak admits she had one foot in the grave.
The Langford resident weighed 280 pounds, was constantly tired, didnB次元官网网址檛 have enough energy to clean the house, and even almost fell asleep at the wheel while driving her three daughters to school. If she sat down for 10 minutes, she physically couldnB次元官网网址檛 keep her eyes open.
After a series of tests, Marchak was diagnosed with sleep apnea, a sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts. According to MarchakB次元官网网址檚 doctor, it was brought on my brought on by stress, allergies and being extremely obese.
Doctors told Marchak that the extra 20 pounds she had gained recently meant her neck was heavier and therefore pushed more weight onto her airways, making it difficult to breathe at night. They told her she would need an oxygen machine to help her sleep for the rest of her life.
B次元官网网址淚 wasnB次元官网网址檛 willing to accept that grave news B次元官网网址� I was horrified,B次元官网网址� said Marchak, who was recently selected as a finalist for a weight loss challenge. B次元官网网址淎t the time, I had three young daughters and I wasnB次元官网网址檛 being the mom I needed to be for them. Everyone around me was really worried.B次元官网网址�
ThatB次元官网网址檚 when Marchak decided to make a change.
It was then her cousin introduced her to a health agency called Isagenix, an organization that exists to inspire and power individuals, families and communities to live their best life through nutrition, health and overall wellness.
Slowly Marchak said the weight began to B次元官网网址渇all off.B次元官网网址� Marchak had more energy, made healthier food choices and began walking along the Galloping Goose Regional Trail and the Esquimalt Lagoon again B次元官网网址� something she found difficult before.
In the first year, Marchak shed 100 pounds, as well as another 45 pounds over two years B次元官网网址� more than half of her original body weight.
Now Marchak, who has always struggled with her weight, feels that sheB次元官网网址檚 able to be there for her 15-year-old twins and 18-year-old daughter as they grow up.
B次元官网网址淚 want to be able to be there for them. I want to be able to say goodnight to them and not fall asleep mid-conversation. I want to be able to drive them to school without putting them in jeopardy because I canB次元官网网址檛 keep my eyes open,B次元官网网址� said the now 44-year-old. B次元官网网址淚 live and breathe for my family.B次元官网网址�
Due to her weight loss journey, Marchak has been selected as one of 15 finalists from across North American to be an Isabody finalist through Isagenix, with the chance of becoming a spokesperson for the company. Marchak flew to Nashville last week and has the chance to win US$25,000.
For Marchak, losing weight was not about the money, but adopting a healthier lifestyle and mindset.
B次元官网网址淚 was just a normal mom and made some changes and now IB次元官网网址檓 living the life I didnB次元官网网址檛 know existed,B次元官网网址� she said, adding itB次元官网网址檚 important to take care of oneself. B次元官网网址淚 took care of everybody and everything before myself and in the end, it really effected everyone around me.B次元官网网址�
Like us on and follow us on
kendra.wong@goldstream
