My Journey began in 2nd Grade when I began to eat food for comfort, and by sixth grade I was 200 pounds. Before 6th grade I went to a summer camp (not Wellspring) where I was bullied everyday for being overweight, (part) Jewish, and having glasses. They would hurt me and laugh at my pain. I wanted to call home and tell my parents, but the kids at camp who were bullying me were watching and listening in on my phone calls. I was scared. Everyday was torture. On the last day I was brutally beaten and hit across the face with a large fan. This experience made me have horrible nightmares. I filled my fears with food, which made me feel good (don’t do that!). To this day I will tear up if I tell this story. I continued to eat food for comfort until the summer of 2011.
In the summer of 2011, I went to a summer camp called Wellspring. There I learned to eat healthy. I was serious about getting healthy, and determined to really work hard at the program. When I got back to school after I had lost the weight, it was difficult at first getting in my 10,000 steps a day, and I went back to old habits and gained some of my weight back.
I grew 5 inches and now I’m 6 feet tall. I got contacts and I got my braces off. I gained around 20 pounds back in 2011. In 2012 I went back to Wellspring. I had some struggles with my asthma and joints, but I prevailed. I lost 50 pounds and got healthy! I gained muscle mass working with my trainer and found out that my metabolism had gotten higher. I had to move from a 1,200 calorie diet to a 1,860 to 2,000 and higher calorie diet. I was still eating under 20 grams of fat though. My journey was long and arduous, but with determination and healthy eating, and exercise, I am now gaining muscle mass and keeping my weight down. YOU can do the same!
The wellspring plan consists of two major components: using a self-monitoring journal to monitor calories and fat and 10,000 steps a day. The best part of the 10,000 steps a day that you can get from a variety of activity. At the Wellspring Camp we usually get from 20,000 to 50,000 steps per day doing sports, running, and just simply walking.
Seek help from the professionals
If you feel that you are struggling with your weight, you should talk to your parents or caregiver, and consult a doctor, healthcare professional before starting any weight loss plan. However, the Wellspring Plan does not require any doctor permission, it is a camp meant for exercise and weight loss. The staff and mentors (i.e. David is a mentor at the Wellspring Pennsylvania division) have an extensive knowledge of exercise and physical science and health. They are well trained and unless you have any conditions that impair you from exercising then it is okay to just go. Before you go ask me anything and i will tell you! Anyone can start their weight loss journey, you just need some help.
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