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Determination produces an incredible life change
MartiRae Ramsey has lost over 100 pounds in one year.
By Dave McMechan
Spilyay Tymoo
MartiRae Ramsey is an inspiration to anyone who wants to make a great and positive change in life.
Over the past year, MartiRae has lost over 100 pounds. She has gone from wearing size 32 clothes, the largest size available, to size 22 -- a loss of 10 sizes.
"A year ago, when I went shopping," she says, "there was only one store, in Portland, where I could find clothes that fit."
Her life has changed almost completely since she began her weight-loss program last July. She is much healthier and happier, and dedicated to her new lifestyle.
"I work out five times a week for an hour," she says.
And her diet no longer includes a lot of fried food and soda pop.
Her change to a healthy lifestyle has been a success, but like all the important things in life, the change did not happen easily.
A year ago, her late husband, Johnny Ramsey Sr., was diagnosed with cancer. MartiRae and Johnny changed their diet and began eating better. Then in September 2009, Johnny passed away.
When that happened, "I made a promise to myself that I would take care of our kids," she says. "And to do that, I had to be alive and healthy."
At the time, MartiRae weighed over 380 pounds. In order to lose the weight, she had to face some very difficult issues.
"The number one reason why people don't have success in losing weight," she says, "is shame. When I first had a weight issue, I was 3 years old and I was ashamed." Over the years, she says, "I built up a strong exterior so no one could hurt me."
In order to succeed with her goal, MartiRae faced the issue, not with shame, but with honesty and a good attitude. And she sought out and accepted help from others.
She mentions Edmund Francis, Warm Springs Diabetes Prevention lifestyle coach, as a great help. Edmund makes himself available to people at all times, MartiRae says. "He's very passionate about his work," she says.
At the clinic, MartiRae had support from Dr. Rachel Locker, nurse Janet Bissell, Jennie Smith of the Diabetes Program, nurse Diane Fuller of risk management, Sara Thomas, who was the nutritionist at the clinic, and Caroline Harvey, former health worker with the tribes.
In more recent months, MartiRae has support from her team that is competing in the Moving Mountains weight-loss challenge, organized by nurse Beth Ann Beamer of Mountain View Hospital. MartiRae's team includes Anita Davis, Deborah Jackson and Diane Fuller.
"I like the diversity we have on our team," she says. "I think we reflect the idea that at any age, you can make a difference in your life."
Other friends in the community, such as Faye Waheneka, are also very supportive. "She is truly a motivation for me," says MartiRae. "She likes to check in with me and ask me, `Marti, what are you eating?' She keeps me on my toes."
Faye, like others in the community, knows MartiRae through her job at the clinic, where she is the contact coordinator for patients.
MartiRae dedicates her success at dieting and losing weight to her late husband, to their children Tyreyk, 9, Johnny Jr., 7, and Celena, 4; and to her lifelong friend, Dennis A. Waters III.
"In my darkest hour of grief," she says, "he motivated me to get off my butt and start working out. Dennis has been in the Oregon State Penitentiary for the past 15 years. Don't be too quick to judge who God will use to influence you. Dennis introduced me to the elliptical machine, telling me about the health benefits. He created playlists for my mp3 player. I would listen to the music he suggested to determine the pace of my workout."
When she first began working out, MartiRae could last only about 10 minutes on the elliptical machine. Now she can go over an hour.
"Those are the external changes," she says. "But I attribute all my changes to faith in God. That is the real reason for my success."
She makes this observation: "It's amazing how we are quick to condemn the alcoholic or drug addict for their behavior, yet we fail to recognize how we medicate our pain with food, shopping, sex, etc. The substance may change but the behavior is the same. It all defiles the body and the end result is poor health."