Teresa’s Note: I want to introduce you to a brave woman who happens to be super morbidly obese. The difference in Karen Fritzemeier is she has decided to do something about it. Today, she is publicly declaring her intention. Know that this is not a step she is taking lightly. It is after many sleepless nights and much struggle. She is sharing her story to give each of you hope to begin your own LIFEstyle change. Watch for her updates on her progress on this site once a month. And give her some virtual hugs as she goes forward!
I weigh nearly 400 pounds and I want to live. Today, I am choosing life. Today, God has called and I have answered. Today, I step out in faith and declare my intentions. Today, I share my story, a story that is just beginning.
Karen and Dean Fritzemeier with their children Greta, 6, and Micah, 7, enjoy a fall afternoon in 2014.
I’m going to tell the truth. Writing this makes me so uncomfortable, that I want to run into the kitchen and gobble up all the candy sprinkled cupcakes my daughter brought home from a birthday party. However I will not do that because, I want to live.
Shouldn’t I be writing this after I lose 200 pounds when I can once again fit into my wedding dress? Shouldn’t I be writing this when I’m wearing my skinny jeans? Shouldn’t I be writing this when I can fit in any waiting room chair, anywhere? Instead, I sense the call of the Holy Spirit, asking me to share the beginnings of this story. Because Jesus has already accomplished everything I need on the cross over 2,000 years ago,1 I want to live.
I want to share my story so God alone will have all the glory. I want to share how He has redeemed my life. I want my life and body to reflect how someone can be forgiven and transformed after a deeply rooted lifestyle of food addiction. I want to live.
Although I write this from an exhausted, painfully inflamed, arthritic, heavy frame, I believe what He has done for me. I believe He is able2 and I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.3 I want to live.
I am learning how to walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh.4 I am ready to move forward because the power of God that saved me is able to help me.5 I want to live.
Karen and Dean Fritzemeier on their wedding day, June 17, 2006.
Reasons Why
I believe I was called to be a writer many years ago. Yet God is arranging it so that I am writing about THIS!? My most embarrassing “elephant in the room” issue of my life? I planned to write a victory story, instead of the “starting now” story, but God had other plans. So here I am! Use me Lord, even now.
I want to be a grandma! I want to enjoy my grandchildren and I want them to know me. The brutal truth is that unless I change now, it’s likely I won’t live to see my grandchildren or that I will be too debilitated to be an active part of their lives.
I want to travel with the love of my life. Right now walking through a grocery store without pain seems impossible. I want to fit in stadium seats so my husband and I can watch our beloved Chicago Cubs play in ball parks all over the country.
I want to PLAY with my children. I want to explore nature together, to go to the beach without a pounding heart from walking back to the car when we are done swimming. I want them to have a mom who is active, instead of asking them to always run and get things for me.
Because I did it before. About 10 years ago, I lost 180 pounds. Owning the fact that I allowed the weight to come back on has been one of the hardest parts of getting started again.
Ultimately, it would be amazing to fit into my wedding dress again. This means I must make changes now that will continue for the rest of my life.
What I’m Doing
1. I joined the Sweet Change Weight Loss Group. This is a place where I can share honestly, and won’t get pat answers, but real support. The best part about being in the Sweet Change group is that we discuss both heart issues and the physical challenges of losing weight. We have a mentor who encourages and challenges us to move forward in deliberate, specific ways. Yes, I am invested in this. I have to participate and take the time to be actively involved, but the benefits are real.
2. Something I learned from Teresa is the principle of stop/start. So far my stop/starts are as follows:
- Stop sugar/Start meditating on Scriptures
- Stop reading my Nook in bed at night/Start praying (increased intimacy with God).
- Stop taking on extra activities/Start swimming 2-3 times weekly at the YMCA.
3. I have been honest with my spouse about my struggles. No more sneaking food.
4. I gathered a close group of friends and family that know me in real life. These are women that I see at the church potluck suppers or at family reunions. They pray for me and understand why I’m not eating like everyone else.
5. I have made a commitment to care for myself. This shows that I am honoring God and caring for my husband and children, too.
Today, I choose life. Today, I want to live.
1 2 Peter 1:3
2 Eph 3:20
3 Phil. 4:13
4 Gal. 5:16
5 Rom 8:11
SMALL SHIFTS CAN MAKE MONUMENTAL CHANGES IN YOUR LIFE. Stopping habits that lead you away from your goal and beginning new ones that lead you towards life will move mountains in your life. I know you want to live, love, walk, run, laugh and enjoy all that LIFE has to offer. If you’re like me, you’ve tried a million diets and failed. You KNOW what to do, you just need some motivation, coaching and accountability to get you moving in the right direction. After loosing 260 pounds I realized I not only could, but I felt impressed by my God to begin helping others to victory. And so Sweet Change Weight Loss Coaching Group was born, just for you. If you are struggling with weight issues, the group is just what you need. Click HERE to join or get information and more testimonials.
I am so happy for you, Karen. I know you can do this with God’s help. Pray for me, too. After reading your story, you have encouraged me to stop smoking, because I, too, want to see all my grandchildren and be able to run and breath. I wish you the best. You have a nice looking family that needs you around. Keep up the good work. The starting point was admitting you had a problem. You already beat that challenge so I know you’ll do fine. Take baby steps. If you do have a setback, just keep on going.
Pam, you CAN do it with God’s help. Focus on the awesome reason why you want to do this. Focus on your legacy.
I will pray for you too, Pam. I sure appreciate your encouragement. We can do this, by His grace!
Karen,
You are so incredibly brave. You are calling those things that are not as if they are. You are writing down the revelation and making it plain. I believe that with the Lord’s help you can and will keep this weight off this time. I used to be 343 and am now down to 266. I still have at least another 100 to go but am well on my way. This has been the key for unlocking the door for me. I used to be an alcoholic, so I could truly relate to what Teresa said about “just one bite.” I know I can never handle sugar again……….even too many artificial sweeteners have tripped me up. Abstinence is the key. This woman speaks as the voice of the Holy Spirit to me………….this is the way, walk in it. Keep us posted of your progress, we are pulling for you…………and me. Debbie G
Thanks for your support and sharing your journey, Debbie.
Debbie, that gives me so much hope! I am also having trouble with the artificial sweeteners and that is something I am working on specifically. I would like to know what you have done instead? Stop them all together? Limit them? I like to use Stevia and/or a homemade Truvia. But I find it easy to over indulge on those types of things too. I hope to keep updating on my progress, Lord willing!
Karen, your openness and vulnerability brought me to tears. Behind your ever-ready smile is a pain that you have masked so well for so long. And now that you have trusted me as a reader with the bruised and battered parts of your soul, please know that I will be praying for you, lifting you up to the One who has the will, desire, and ability to see you to victory. Just be obedient, and rely on Him for the results. Blessings on your journey, today and in the days to come.
Rhanks so much, Anna, for supporting Karen.
Thank you Anna for reading. I am grateful for your prayers!
Teresa, with Karen’s permission you should share this story on Facebook then we could share it with our FP4H family. Powerful testimony! Thank you, Karen for your courage to begin again. God will give you the strength to lose the weight and keep it off forever.
Yes Carole, feel free to share as often as you wish!
Karen, thank you for being so brave and sharing your journey! I’m so blessed by the way you put it all out there. The Lord blesses us so we can be a blessing to others. I have no doubt He has so much in store for you!! Keep recording the journey – you will bless and help so many!! By His grace, we can all do this!!!
Thank you Kathryn. I have hope that I haven’t had in a long time…..very grateful! I look forward to sharing more in a month or so.
What a blessing to see your heart and hear your obedience, even though it’s a painful thing. I will pray for victory, Karen. God will use your journey to help others who struggle with any addiction. God bless you! I will be following your progress and cheering you on.
Thank you Ingrid, for reading. I so appreciate your prayers.
Karen, your words touched me today. Thank you for sharing them. You are beautiful and I know that God’s glory will shine through this journey He’s leading you on. I know that this vulnerability will encourage others who need to take this step.
Praying for you!
Thank you Susie. That’s what I really want—for His glory to shine through. It was tough—not to write—but to let it be out there. I’m thankful Teresa challenged me in this way, because the encouragement and prayers have really blessed me.
praying for you Karen, I started and did pretty good a couple of days and decided I could have some sugar, big mistake- so tough because once I have any my body craves it,anything with it. I also eat gluten free but try simply to reduce carbs as well. Stick to it,well worth the benefits! Thanks for encouraging me to get back to it! Love You!
Thank you Marcia—love you too! I have gone off of sugar many times—and I always feel better when I’m off of it (after going through withdrawl for a few days). I’m coming to accept that this has to be permanent, no exceptions. Reducing carbs and getting in more protein and veggies is something I am working on too.
Marcia,
I can totally relate to what you wrote about sugar. I’ve been telling people for years that my body goes nuts for sugar. If I get it out of my system for a couple of weeks, I don’t crave it, and I don’t even think about it. I don’t even want it. But all I have to do is take one bite of a cookie or a piece of cake and I have to eat the whole bag, or the whole cake. People tell me to train myself to just eat a little bit, but it isn’t a matter of having self-control. One bite and my body goes nuts craving it. I can only relate it to what it must be like for an alcoholic. I think some day researchers will discover that some of us are addicted to sugar like some are to alcohol. For me, I have to stay away from it, totally. Praying for you and for Karen, even though I don’t know you, we are one in Christ.
Thank you Deb, I am the same way with sugar. Have often felt said if I craved alcohol the way I like sugar, I would be an alcoholic. I go through withdrawls (3-4 days of feeling really fatigued with migraines) whenever I go off of sugar. No fun. By God’s grace, never again. Thank you for your prayers!
From one homeschooling mom to another….Rah! Rah! Rah! You can do this! And I will be on your side cheering!
May I share Teresa’s post and your story with my home school group? I am a member of the CHE in Columbia Missouri, and would love to include the post and it’s links in our May newsletter. Please let me know
Sign me…been there still doing it…
Highest Weight—337 Size 32 slacks
Current Weight 239 size 18-20 slacks
Homeschooling since son’s birth
Lorrie Ney
Thank you Lorrie! Oh boy, I can’t wait to ditch the 34’s!!! Yes, you may share it. I am honored. Congratulations on your weight loss, I am looking forward to following in your footsteps. :)
Lorrie, everything on my website is public and shareable. Go ahead and and share. The fb share from the page won’t pull the pic so you may want to share the post and link from my fb page.
Hi,Karen,
You may remember me from GIRBC. This brought tears……do you realize how many people you have just encouraged??! Age doesn’t matter,and it doesn’t have to be food that someone is addicted to……I am adding you to my prayer list and will faithfully pray for you every day. It is hard, I know this from experience. I love to cook and bake,but find it is better not to make things unless there will be plenty of people to eat it rather than just my husband and myself. I know what foods are more tempting to me and not have them in the house. You will be able to do this,because you have asked God and He surely will do what is best for you and what brings Him glory. Just one day at a time……God bless!
Hi RuthAnn! I am so encouraged by your reply, and appreciate your prayers (you brought tears to my eyes too)! I also love to cook and bake—-I decided I am going to become awesome at making salads—-try to express my creativity that way! Now…if I can just get my kids to like lettuce we will be all set. :) Yes, it is for sure a day-by-day dependence on God. Love, Karen
Dearest Karen,
I found this post while exploring your blog through your link on FB about your Grandma Josephine. You are brave and courageous and an amazing woman of faith! Thank you for your willingness to share your story, for not waiting for the “final” victory before letting us into the journey. You are stepping out in faith in the promise of victory, and that is awesome! Many of us struggle with the sugar-monster. I know I do. It has been a struggle for me to get my head in the game, so-to-speak. I am working my way up to it again. One of the things that helped me in the past and that I am going to tap into again is Lysa Teurkerst’s, “Made to Crave” book and devotional. It helps shift the focus from food to Him. I’m so glad you have such great support around you, people to pray for you and encourage you. Accountability is key for me, so I am guessing it is going to be a great thing for you as well. I will pray for you, that when you feel discouraged you remember His truths; that when you stumble you not fall, if you fall that you get back up and persevere, running this race set before you. The marvelous thing is, you’ve done this before so you KNOW you can do it. The mindset to keep on keeping on is the new goal it seems. Yay! my fellow “Karen”, homeschool mom, woman of faith, relative by marriage! You’ve got this!
Thank you Karen! I am so grateful for your encouraging words. You know, I read “Made to Crave” a few years ago….I think it would be a great time for me to re-read. I remember there was some great stuff in that book. Glad you reminded me of it. Thank you for your prayers, too! Love, Karen
Hello Karen,
Thank you for your honesty. I am also a homeschooling mom who has put on some weight. My weight has kept me from doing everything I want with my kids and even for God. Reading this has brought great encouragement for me! Thank you!
Hi Melody, Thank you for sharing. I am so glad it encouraged you. We can do this, with God’s help and by His grace. I’m having a tough day, so it was good to hear your words too!
Blessings, Karen
Hi Karen…
I found Teresa on You Tube this morning, then looked up her website. Somehow I came across her blog post where she introduces you, and you tell your story. I was immediately drawn to it because of so many things we have in common. I am a sister in Christ, I homeschooled our four children (17 years), and I am praying about how to be free of this excess weight on my body, finally and for the rest of my life. It’s been some months now since you started this journey, and I am wondering how you are doing, whether it’s great news, or otherwise, I would surely like to know how you are. Sending love in our Lord and a big hug!
Thank you Linda! Yes, it has been some months. I am still on the journey. I am off of sugar, swimming 3x week. I have lost 10 pounds and completely stalled there for a few months now. (Thankfully have not gained.) I have noticed the past few weeks that physically, I am feeling much better (improved energy, less fatigue) so very thankful for that. I believe I am still eating too much food, and this week I am tracking food to see what is going on and where I can make improvements to hopefully lose more weight. Thanks for your encouragement—it is greatly appreciated!