Holly Logan / Verywell
Holly Logan is a stand-up comedian and actor.
She is also a weight loss life coach certified in personal training and nutritional coaching.
I managed a smile, but inside I was mortified.
Holly Logan / Verywell
How did this happen?
At 200 plus pounds, I felt huge.
In one year, I turned it around, going from 233 pounds to 143 poundsa 90-pound weight loss.
I lost 90 pounds and found my mission.
While my journey may not be your journeywe are all uniqueI hope it inspires you.
Weight loss is not a cookie-cutter process, especially when you cant have the cookies so often anymore.
While my journey may not be your journeywe are all uniqueI hope it inspires you.
Weight loss is not a cookie-cutter process, especially when you cant have cookies so often anymore.
I was usually cast as the jolly, bubbly girl.
My comedy was about my weight.
My relationships were about my weight.
It was all about my weight.
The turning point came when I was diagnosed withCrohns diseasein 2021, and the doctor put me on steroids.
I had frequent migraines, was depressed, and my self-esteem was in the basement.
I looked into the gastric balloon, which reduces stomach capacity but only stays in for six months.
It sounded great until I heard the price tag of $20,000 was not covered by insurance.
That was a no for me.
The doctor had another idea:endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty.
The clincher was that I was a candidate for a clinical study.
If accepted, there would be no cost.
We set a goal.
I wanted to reach 165 pounds, which was ambitious for a gastroplasty but not out of the question.
I started with a diet of liquid and pureed food for 15 days.
It went so well that I stayed on the liquids a bit longer (with my doctors approval).
I reached 165 pounds that summer but wasnt ready to stop.
My doctor said as long as I was healthy and not fatigued, I could keep going.
I reached 143 pounds on January 9, 2024, and plan to stay there.
I changed my diet, but I also got into therapy and found new coping mechanisms for stress.
Ive left emotional eating behind.
I exercise most days.
I only saw the heavy girl.
I kept telling my chunky jokes onstage till a friend said, You cant do that material anymore.
I was sure the sizes were marked wrong.
One day, a friend said I needed to see myself.
I thought there was no waybut it fit!
However, in my mind, I was still chunky.
Finally, one day, it all clicked.
I began to believe in myself.
Sometimes I walk past the mirror, and Im like,Whoa, you are tiny.
Yes, Im very proud of myself.
Its important to look at bariatric procedures or weight loss medications as a tool and not a magical solution.
I haveloose skin from the weight loss, especially in my stomach and inner thighs.
Ive had to adapt my career to my new size.
I cant get the same roles or make the same jokes as the jolly heavy girl.
My new set is told from the other side of losing weight.
Im writing a TV pilot, too, based loosely on my experience.
My guiding principle is tailoring plans to each individual.
Make it your own journey because we dont all follow the same path.
