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Kristy GoodwinAustralian Sports Instructor
Date of Birth: 01.01.1989
Country:  Australia |
Content:
- The Weight of Overeating
- The Journey to Weight Loss
- The Setback
- A New Opportunity and Disappointment
- A Wake-Up Call and the Turning Point
- The Life-Changing Encounter
- A New Way of Life
Christie Goodwin: A Journey of Transformation from Self-Harm to Self-Love
The Weight of Overeating
Christie Goodwin, a 29-year-old Perth native, has spent the majority of her life battling compulsive overeating. Her insatiable hunger led her to consume massive portions, resulting in an alarming weight of 260 pounds (117 kg).
"I remember ordering from Uber Eats and selecting numerous items from the menu, convincing myself I would make them last several days," says Goodwin. "But as soon as the food arrived, I would devour everything in one sitting."
It wasn't until Christie noticed stretch marks appearing in "unusual places" on her body that she began to seriously consider her health. "I had stretch marks in places they shouldn't normally be," she explains. "Across the middle of my stomach, on my upper arms, chest, inner thighs, and hamstrings. I realized my bloated body was literally tearing apart at a size that my skin couldn't support."
The Journey to Weight Loss
Driven by a newfound determination, Goodwin embarked on a weight loss journey, shedding a remarkable 100 pounds (45 kg) through diet and exercise alone. "I joined a gym, which I genuinely enjoyed," she recalls. "I even completed a 12-week challenge and educated myself on healthy eating."
"I remember feeling so good about myself," continues Goodwin. "I was loving myself and no longer restricting my food intake. I was eating like a normal person."
The Setback
Maintaining her progress, however, proved more challenging than Goodwin anticipated. "In 2013, I took on a job in the mines, working 12-hour days, six days a week," she says. "There was no gym where I was living."
"With the exhaustion of my long work hours, I found myself falling into the same routine," Goodwin admits. "I gradually noticed the weight starting to creep back on."
"It didn't happen overnight, but those extra pounds just kept piling on, and my love for food spiraled back into binge eating." Within three years, Goodwin had regained 33 pounds (15 kg). Her weight had once again spiraled out of control as she resorted to emotional eating.
A New Opportunity and Disappointment
Christie seized a new opportunity to work at a gym, but her initial experience proved disheartening. "I had no friends or family nearby," she says. "The gym culture wasn't for me, and I felt extremely unhappy in my job."
"The overwhelming anxiety I felt was more than I could handle," continues Goodwin. "I felt so isolated and alone, and the only thing that made me feel better was food."
"I would browse Uber Eats and make orders at 1:00 AM, just so I wouldn't have to face my loneliness and social anxiety," she confesses. "Most of my evenings were spent ordering food through the app, and that's when my body really started suffering."
A Wake-Up Call and the Turning Point
By the time Goodwin reached 27 and her weight had climbed back to 212 pounds (96 kg), she realized she could no longer battle the "demons in her head." "The thoughts I was having are not normal for people who are in a healthy state of mind," she admits.
"These were toxic thoughts, and I found myself spiraling into a cycle of self-hatred," Goodwin explains. "I was so depressed; I didn't leave my house or socialize."
"I didn't want to go to work, and my social anxiety was escalating," she continues. "I found myself crying every day and had even lost touch with my friends because I refused to leave the house."
"I told myself I was fat, ugly, and didn't deserve to lose weight," Goodwin confesses.
Physical ailments also plagued Goodwin's emotional turmoil, and she was unable to continue exercising. "My orthopedic surgeon explained that due to my excess weight, the cartilage in my knee joint had started to wear away," she says.
"Rapid weight loss was my only option to relieve the pain in my knee, but he told me that my already anxious state would be exacerbated by intense exercise," Goodwin explains.
The Life-Changing Encounter
Christie's salvation came in the form of an encounter with a woman who had lost almost 220 pounds (97 kg). "In September of last year, a lady who had lost 97 kg came to the gym," Goodwin recalls. "She told me she was there to work on her loose skin."
"I asked her how she had lost the weight, and she told me about her sleeve gastrectomy – where they remove half of your stomach," Goodwin explains.
After some research, Goodwin discovered she could use her superannuation to cover the cost of the surgery. "I was fortunate enough to get approved by my surgeon, as I had a number of underlying health issues, including mental health," she says.
Christie underwent the procedure in December 2017 and has since lost a total of 164 pounds (74 kg), maintaining her current weight of 163 pounds (74 kg). She says she has never felt happier.
"I have learned not to stress and have such a clear mind now," Goodwin says. "My anxiety has gone, and I just feel so happy. I am constantly happy now."
A New Way of Life
Post-surgery, Goodwin now eats every two hours, up to six times per day, but her portion sizes are tiny. She currently orders healthy and convenient meals from Youfoodz, often dividing them into two or three portions.
Christie also exercises four to five times per week and walks her dog every morning. "I know there are so many people out there who are in the same position I was in," Goodwin says. "If you are struggling to maintain frequent dieting and are set on losing weight, then surgery is something you should really consider."
"I had zero complications from the surgery itself, although I did experience some negative effects post-op," Goodwin admits. "But the recovery process was amazing, and now I don't have any restrictions on what I can eat."
"My advice to anyone is, if surgery is for you, go for it," Goodwin encourages. "I have absolutely no regrets in having had the sleeve gastrectomy. I am the happiest I've ever been, and my life has changed so much for the better. I want to help inspire others who are suffering like I was."
