understanding obesity - the first step in taking control
crystal casey didn’t struggle with her weight at all un...
mar 5 2020
4 minute read
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a research based pharmaceutical company
this story was created by content works, postmedia’s commercial content division, on behalf of a client.
crystal casey didn’t struggle with her weight at all until she was in her 20s. the halifax-based mother of four was in fact a very active child and into competitive sports throughout high school.
her first pregnancy changed all that. “i gained over 100 lbs. but didn’t think it would be an issue to lose it. but then i suffered from postpartum depression, and managing my weight became really difficult physically and mentally.”
she fell into the classic yoyo dieting cycle – losing and regaining weight for 14 years. at one point her weight had climbed to 250 lbs. “it was very isolating socially. i didn’t feel i had anything in common with other young mothers.”
the lowest point for casey came when she was out in the park with her children. “i realized i couldn’t exert the energy to do anything with them. my weight was impacting even simple everyday activities.”
the biggest challenge was thinking her obesity was self-inflicted. “everyone – including many doctors – think that if you eat less and exercise more you can lose the weight. but i couldn’t do it. so everything was clouded by a sense of shame and failure and affected my overall self-worth. my doctor at the time offered no solutions.”
at one point casey had a serious health issue, but when she went to the doctor to discuss her fatigue and joint pain, she was told to tackle her weight. “they missed something that could easily have been found. i realized i had to take the initiative and become my own advocate.”
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fortunately for casey, her mother is a nurse and a diabetes counsellor. “we started having some really interesting conversations around obesity being a chronic disease. she knew there were options and medications available that could help.”
with more informed decisions in hand, she sought out a doctor that would listen and help with exploring alternatives to treat her obesity. “it was a struggle to find a family doctor who would work with me. i finally found one after speaking at an obesity conference, who really understood and connected with my story. as luck would have it, she approached me to offer the support i needed.”
since then casey has been on a therapy that helps to control her appetite, helping her to make healthier decisions. “that treatment was a game changer for me.”
she also engages in behavioral therapy sessions with her doctor, as well as continues to educate herself more on obesity.
since taking the initiative in her obesity battle, casey has come a long way from her early days of depression and limited activity.
one key lesson she has learned along the way is that treatment options differ from person to person. “you have to understand that no two people are the same. sometimes it takes a bit of trial and error.”
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she has also realized the importance of actively educating yourself about obesity. “the most important thing to accept is that it’s not your fault. obesity is a multi-factorial chronic disease. once you realize that, you can understand the parts you can control and work on.”
casey stresses that managing obesity is an ongoing commitment even after you have reached a sustainable and healthier weight. “i still have to actively manage it but it does become easier over time because i understand each component i can control.”
having lost a significant amount of weight, she says it’s less about the numbers and more about the quality of life that matters. “i have been able to do things i wasn’t able to do before. i can keep up with my children, i’m more physically active, and my mental health has improved. those are the benefits that count.”
an active member of obesity canada since 2016, casey enjoys playing the role of patient advocate, and talking with healthcare professionals and at community events to educate others. “i want to empower other people and share my story in the hopes that somebody else will find the right connections and not have to manage their obesity in isolation.”
one of the first things she tells people struggling with obesity is to start a dialogue with their health care provider. if their doctor isn’t willing to openly discuss the issue, find a doctor who will. if that’s a problem, obesity canada provides a list of obesity specialists in communities across canada.
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“obesity is a contributor to a lot of different health problens so it’s hard to get to the heart of what is actually wrong,” casey says. “having the support of someone you can trust to speak openly and has your back can make all the difference.”
this story was created by content works, postmedia’s commercial content division, on behalf of a research based pharmaceutical company
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