Irina Mironova shared her story of overcoming obesity with us. In it, she shares her experience and how the right approach helped her transform her life.
Since childhood I had been chubby. At first it seemed cute, then — a reason for silly jokes, and when I became an adult, the extra weight turned into a real problem. I tried all kinds of diets: buckwheat with kefir, fasting on Saturdays, slimming pills. Everything came back, and I felt guilty and upset.
When the scale showed a three-digit number, I thought about stomach surgery — bariatric surgery. Maybe it was the only way that would help me. But deciding on it was terrifying. What if something went wrong?
One day I was sitting in the kitchen, sadly staring at an empty plate. Then it hit me: what if I tried once more? Gave myself another chance, but went a different way — without diets and restrictions.
I decided to act gradually. First, I stopped punishing myself. I understood that self-hatred only made me eat more. I began to say kind things to myself, to praise myself even for small things.
Second, I started writing down everything I ate in a notebook. At first I was too lazy, but then I realized it helped. I recorded everything I ate and drank during the day. That way I discovered why I overeat: boredom, stress, loneliness.
Third, I watched a film. I stumbled upon it by chance; it’s called “Turning Point.” It helped me a lot. I recommend it to anyone who wants not only to lose weight but also to improve their health. I watched it several times. It made me think about what I eat. I didn’t follow any strict diet. I simply began to replace some foods with others rather than forbid them: unhealthy for healthy. Instead of white bread — wholegrain; instead of fried potatoes — vegetables; instead of soda — water with lemon. I tried to eat more protein, fiber, and healthy fats.
Fourth, I started walking more. At first just around the block, and then I began going on hikes with friends, inventing interesting routes. The main thing is to find like-minded people and do what you enjoy.
Fifth, I went to a psychologist. A friend persuaded me. To be honest, I didn’t believe it would help. But after a few sessions I listened to the advice. And when the weight that had been stuck finally started to drop, I realized that my love of food was a problem in my head. For a long time I couldn’t give up sweets, especially in the evenings. The psychologist helped me understand myself and change my attitude toward food. I simply started to distract myself: if I craved something sweet, I would get up and do something else.
To be honest: it was hard at first, and yes, I had setbacks. But I learned not to scold myself and to understand why it happened. I understood that this is not a sprint but a marathon, and you can’t stop.
Time passed, and the weight slowly went away. I didn’t rush; I just enjoyed the process. I felt better, more energetic, more confident. I looked in the mirror and saw my body changing.
In a year and a half I lost 19 kg! No, I didn’t become a model, but I became much slimmer, healthier, and happier. I learned to love myself and my body, to take care of it and listen to it.
I don’t regret not having the surgery. On the contrary, I’m glad I gave myself a chance. I continue to work on myself, but no longer just to lose weight — to become a better person. My life is now full of energy, joy, and self-confidence. I’m no longer afraid to look in the mirror; I love myself and I’m grateful to myself.
The main thing I learned is to know my limits. I learned to listen to my body: when it truly wants something tasty and when it’s just a habit or emotional eating. If I want — I’ll eat a piece of cake at a party or my favorite ice cream — but that won’t cause a full relapse.
I’m sure anyone can change their life if they really want to. Don’t be afraid to try, to make mistakes, and to keep going toward your goal.
My story is not a fairy tale about suddenly becoming slim with a snap of the fingers. No! It’s a story about how I worked on myself and learned to love myself. If I could do it, so can you. Just believe in yourself and take the first step — a step toward your health.
Author
A bariatric surgeon with many years of experience helping patients improve their health and quality of life.
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