Catrina Raiford tipped the scales at 955 pounds and was bed-bound for five years, until she had her home bulldozed to free her from her bed after suffering breathing difficulties. From there she began her weight loss journey.
She had always had problems with her weight, following years of sexual abuse as a child, Catrina found comfort in sweet, sugary snacks and secret eating.
She continued to find comfort for her abuse in food. Eating sugary and fattening snacks that can quickly become addictive. By the age of 12, Catrina was so big that her mother had to start making her clothes as shops did not stock sizes large enough to fit her.
Aged 14, and weighing 448lbs, Catrina was admitted to a psychiatric home for eight months to help her deal with her overeating.
Feeling unable to discuss the abuse with anyone, even this did not help and she continued to gain weight.
Soon she did not leave her home and would spend her days eating and avoiding people.
In 2013, Catrina embarked on a strict diet and had gastric bypass surgery to lose more than 500lbs, reaching 448lbs in 2014, her same weight when she was 14 years old.
But it was Catrina’s resilience after the surgery that keeps her going.
She’s not only doing it for the weight loss, but a successful weight loss surgery involves a complete lifestyle change to avoid bruising, gallstones or even greater weight gain.
But now she’s given her first interview.
“The horrific experience of having rescue workers tear down the wall in my home was not only significant because the workers were there to save my life, it was symbolic of me breaking away from my past.
“The demolition of that wall was the beginning of me breaking away from being a prisoner in my own home, me breaking away from obesity-related medical conditions, breaking away from immobility, and breaking away from the death grip that the fat had held on my life for so many years.
“After leaving the hospital I was admitted to a weight-loss facility, underwent weight-loss surgery, improved my diet and began to exercise regularly. Since that time, I have lost over 500 pounds.”
“After my weight loss, I was able to attend college, I work, have regained my ability to walk, and I am able to independently support and take care of myself.”
“I have made significant progress toward my weight loss goal and improved my health, but yet find myself faced with another obstacle.,” Catrina says.
“I love running around, going to the gym three or four times a week and keeping fit. I’m so much happier now and feel so confident. I was in bed for so long that now I’ve lost the weight I just want to be free.”
Here’s Catrina’s update on her GoFundMe page as of March 2017:
“I sprung my ankle about a month and on top of that got cellulite and was hospitalized for a week. I’m doing better now but the doctor wants me to take it easy.
My goal is to lose 60 more pounds and then meet with my surgeons again. Thanks, everyone for helping me reach my goal to get the funds for my surgery.
If you want to lose a lot of weight like Trina, but think it’s impossible, think again. Safely losing 100 pounds depends on several things, including your starting weight, age, gender, metabolism, and overall health. As a general guideline, it is recommended to aim for gradual and sustainable weight loss to reduce the risk of adverse health effects.
For most, a safe rate of weight loss is usually considered to be around .5 to 1.5% of your current body weight. If you’re currently 300 pounds that would equal 1.5 to 4.5 lbs per week on average. This rate allows your body to adjust to the changes, reduces the risk of nutrient deficiencies, and promotes the preservation of lean body mass. By taking your current weight and multiplying it by .5% and 1.5% you can get a rough idea of how long it might take you to lose 100 pounds.
Here are few things you can do starting TODAY!
Track calories: You have to get used to numbers and knowing your numbers on a daily basis. Monitor your calorie intake.
Eat more protein, fiber, and vegetables: Increase your intake of these foods. To do it the easy way, make sure you have at least 1 1/2 cups of non-fried or buttered vegetables with every meal.
Reduce refined carbs: Cut back on refined carbohydrates. Refined carbs are white bread, white rice, white pasta, pastries, breakfast cereals, and other desserts
Exercise: This should go without saying, but regular physical activity can help you burn calories, build muscle, and improve your cardiovascular health. Log at least 1.5 hours of physical activity a day (for example: 45 minutes of walking in the morning, 45 minutes of walking in the evening)
Drink water: Drinking water before meals can help reduce food intake and increase fat burning.
Eat smaller portions: Try eating smaller portions of food. An easy way to do this is to use smaller plates. Get 7-inch plates or less and be sure that half of your plate has veggies on it.
Practice mindful eating: Be mindful of what you eat. Reduce the cheat meals to once a month and have a calorie goal that you won’t cheat on.
Get professional support: A dietitian can help you create a plan that’s right for you, especially if you have a medical condition.
You guys can follow Trina on Instagram (misstrina911) for the latest updates. #team1day #watch4me #blessed”
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