Connie Sykes
This has been a long journey! Hi there, my name is Connie and I have been overweight most of my life. When I was about 10-12 years old I was molested over and over again. It was then I begin to gain weight. I'm told this is our way of making ourselves ugly to the men that do this to us even though we are not aware at the time. I was also molested by my stepfather when I was about 14 and this continued for a couple years. He threatened to kill my mom and brother if I told. About this time (1968) I started taking street drugs like LSD and marijuana. Anything to escape my shame and pain.
I married young (19) and within the first 6 yrs. I gave birth to 4 bouncing baby boys!!!! Needless to say I kept much of the weight on putting me up to 180-200 lbs. My first husband and I divorced after 15 years of marriage. Depression set it and I gained more weight, probably weighing between 200-225 lbs. (1985).
In 1991 I remarried and we are still together, only through the grace of God! For 15 years it was not a good marriage, he had many affairs and was verbally abusive. It was in 1999 that I found out I had kidney cancer and this was the beginning of my spiritual and emotional change. I became a much stronger woman and decided I did not need this kind of abusive relationship. The surgery was successful, they removed my right kidney and I have been cancer free...praise God! At this time I started my spiritual journey...I knew the Lord brought me through this and I wanted to give my heart and life to the One that saved me. I started studying the bible with a pastor in Milwaukee, WI and was baptized in 2002. Shortly before that my husband left me and I decided to move back to LaCrosse, WI where I had friends and family for support. In 2005 my husband gave his heart to the Lord, joined me here and we have been building our relationship ever since. We are both very active in church.
Two years ago I became a grandma...yippee! Even though she lives in Texas I felt it was time to take a look at myself and do something to take care of myself so I could be the best grandma. Last year my grandson was born right here in LaCrosse and I am able to babysit everyday for him. This is when I started to take weight loss seriously. The last time I went to the doctor I weighed 314.2 lbs. I am scheduled for surgery on May 2, 2007. I will turn 53 on May 28. My grown sons are very supportive. My hubby is a bit worried something may go wrong but I prayed about this and feel if the Lord has allowed things to go this far he will bring me through it. This is a dream come true for me. I can't wait to look "HOT" and healthy!!!!!!!!!! :o)
