Meriel's background

Merial is currently in her mid-forties, has two adult children and lives in Queensland .

At 35 Meriel suffered severe head and brain injuries when a horse she was riding fell and rolled over her.

After the accident, Meriel was not expected to live and she remained in a coma for three and a half months and in hospital for a year.

Today Meriel's condition is classified as spastic quadriplegia, which means she has very limited control over her arms and legs.

Meriel's weight gain

It is quite common for head injured people to eat for the sake of eating.

Although Meriel was told that she wouldn't gain weight after she left hospital, she regularly found herself making the most of one of the few things she could do, swallow.

And she ate all the things she knew she shouldn't but made her feel "good" no matter how temporarily. Among her favourite foods were chocolate and ice cream.

Not surprisingly, Meriel put on weight fast. To make matters worse, Meriel was then told that gaining weight was just a fact of being in a wheelchair.

In the end, she became very depressed at her plight and her growing weight.

Meriel's weight loss motivation

Initially Meriel was motivated to lose weight because she knew that her being overweight revolted her partner James and was a major factor in her feeling depressed.

As the weight came off and her health and independence started to improve as a result, Meriel's motivation changed from wanting to improve the way she looked to wanting to further improve her health, well being and independence.

As Meriel puts it, "I had to lose the weight because I couldn't do anything for myself. I couldn't have heaved my huge body onto the shower chair or into the car. With a big tummy, even picking up things off the floor or doing up my shoelaces were difficult tasks to achieve from a wheelchair."

In September 1998, three and a half years after her accident, Meriel was referred to an orthopaedic surgeon to have surgery on her right leg.

Unfortunately, because of her weight the surgeon couldn't give her any guarantees that the operation would be a success. Since losing her weight, Meriel's leg has improved to such an extent that she no longer even needs the surgery.

Meriel also wanted to lose weight because it was putting a strain on her heart. After 10 minutes of relatively easy exercise she would be huffing and puffing.

On top of all these factors, Meriel realised that being so overweight meant she was a prime candidate for diabetes and didn't need to add that to her list of problems.

Meriel's weight loss solution

In November 2000, just over five years after her accident, Meriel saw a TV program about Ketogenic diets (which limit carbohydrates and protein to encourage us to consume fewer total calories and our body to burn fat).

Knowing that such diets require professional support and wanting to know more, Meriel made an appointment to see a naturopath who administered the Ultra Lite weight management program.

What was particularly important to Meriel was that the Ultra Lite program does not rely on exercise to lose weight.

Meriel started on the Ultra Lite program in Jan uary 2001. Meeting with her naturopath weekly, and with his encouragement and belief in her, she successfully lost 35kgs in the first 26 weeks.

With her metabolism "re-set", she then went on a maintenance diet for a further twelve weeks, during which she lost a further 5kgs.

Today Meriel incorporates light weight training exercises into her daily routine to keep her muscles toned and maximize the calories she burns throughout the day. As you would expect, these exercises are not easy because Meriel's control over her limbs, particularly her left arm and leg is very limited.

Part of Meriel's ongoing weight maintenance effort includes drinking two litres of water a day. "I leave a jug out on the kitchen bench so it is easily accessible. Routine is very important when it comes to successful weight loss and has been particularly so for me during my weight loss program and today in my daily life."

Meriel's weight loss challenges

As a quadriplegic, Meriel faces significant challenges everyday, but is a big believer that "We can all wake up and decide if our day is going to be a good day or a bad day. The choice is ours."

But Meriel's weight loss was not just a case of exceptionally positive thinking, although this type of thinking played a major role in her success.

As Meriel fully admits, her weight loss was very much a team effort. As well as the weekly support of her naturopath, Meriel relied daily on the help and support of her family and friends.

Meriel's diet was planned very carefully and required all of her meals to be measured and prepared within tight guidelines which she needed help and support with.

How losing weight has changed Meriel's life

Among her many achievements, including learning how to shower, dress and toilet herself, and to get in and out of bed and cars on her own, Meriel rates her weight loss success as her greatest achievement.

One of her favourite sayings is 'Lose weight, gain life', which is such an old cliché, but in Meriel's case is absolutely true.

As Meriel tells it, "Since I've lost the weight, my whole attitude to life has changed."

"Another amazing result of my weight loss is that as well as all that unwanted fat, I've also lost the 'fear' that was holding me back from making the most of life."

"Just the fact I can now shower myself and not have to wait around for someone to help me is wonderful. It means I can plan my day."

Meriel used to call herself a 'fat cripple'. Today she feels that losing weight not only saved her life, it gave her life.

The Full Story

Meriel's complete story, including her weight loss challenges and successes has been documented in her self-published book Permission to Shine - The Gift.

On sale direct from Meriel for $30 (including postage within Australia) her book can be ordered by sending a cheque or money order to P.O. Box 2040, Ascot Qld 4007.

Alternatively, Meriel can be contacted by email at mstanger@powerup.com.au

For more information on the Ultra Lite weight loss program visit www.ultralite.com.au or call 1300 730 307 for your nearest Ultra Lite practitioner.

Conclusion

Almost all natural, long term weight loss stories are inspirational because for most of us weight loss doesn't come easy. But Meriel's story is extra special because she lost all of her weight while being permanently confined to a wheelchair.

If you're finding it tough to shed some unwanted kilos and are looking for some added inspiration or motivation to keep you going, we suggest you remind yourself of Meriel's courageous weight loss story and how her weight loss success has changed her life.

For even more inspiration, here's a last thought from Meriel:

"I can't stress enough the importance of your attitude. Lose weight for you. Don't be angry; forgive yourself and others. Forgiveness is the greatest gift you can give yourself. I am grateful for every day."

We sincerely hope that you found Meriel's story inspiring and thank you for visiting weightloss.com.au.