TAMPA, Fla. — Many people are taking the beginning of the year to restart weight loss goals and nutrition programs.
Health experts however have said that really can happen at any time.
Bay area resident Erin Philbin trecently shared her weight loss journey and lifestyle changes that she said is inspring her in other ways.
What You Need To Know
Many people start the new year with weight-loss goals and studies show the effectiveness of this
Riverview resident Erin Philbin decided in 2022 to change her life and undertake weight-loss surgery
She is now thriving and has lost more than 270 lbs. and wants to lose more weight
“There’s definitely a huge mental component that is definitely a driving factor in all of this,” Philbin said.
With that change in mindset, she was driven by her own survival when she took the first steps.
Philbin struggled with her weight for years.
“It started when I was 13, 14 years old for sure. And now I’m 36,” she said. “It’s something I’m still learning and still attempting to fix.”
It was walking at one of her favorite places with her son that revealed the problem.
“When we would go to Disney World where we like to frequent, I wasn’t able to ride the rides with him or really even walk a handful of steps,” she said.
In 2022, Philbin started to take the right steps.
“As a mom, I didn’t want to be an example like that for my child and I didn’t want to be that for myself,” she said.
The first step she took was getting help from medical professionals.
Alongside Tampa General Hospital’s experts, she opted for a weight loss surgery program. And then the magic happened.
“I was able to do it,” she said. “I’ve lost 272 pounds total weight from my highest point and I’m so grateful for that.”
From her highest weight of 532 lbs. in the summer of 2022, Erin is now motivated to lose more weight.
Dr. Francesca Dimou is a bariatric surgeon at Tampa General.
“It’s not only about the surgery and the safety of the surgery and everything that comes along with it,” said Dimou.
That means the journey of maintaining and even losing more weight needs a support system.
“They were my pillars of strength,” said Erin. “Michael and Bernadette were their names.”
They are her parents, who passed away in the last year.
After her mom died of cancer last year, Philbin dedicated a Disney 10K walk in her honor last spring. She then walked 60 miles in three days during a cancer walk last summer.
Dimou said Philbin is brave to share her story which could in turn motivate someone else.
“I think it’s understanding that you can make your life better,” said Dimou.
And better for others.
“I’ve been inspired by my own journey,” she said. “I’m interested in going back to school to become a registered dietician.”