Woman shamed for her loose skin claps back in the best way

Krista Thurrott
·Lifestyle & Shopping Writer
<i>Photo via Instagram/jacquelineadan44</i>
Photo via Instagram/jacquelineadan44

With more than 57,000 followers and 1,000 posts, Fitness Blogger Jacqueline Adan has built an Instagram page that inspires and motivates many. With posts outlining her workouts and favourite recipes, Adan has a loyal following — and for good reason.

Once weighing in at more than 500 pounds, Adan was tired of not living the life she dreamed of because of restrictions around her weight.

“It was hard to do anything and I definitely was not living the life I wanted. I was unhappy, felt stuck and did not love myself. Finally I decided enough was enough and I took control back of my life,” she wrote on Instagram.

Thanks to her frankness, followers get a firsthand glimpse at her daily life and goals. While a lot of her posts are positive and optimistic, she also doesn’t avoid getting real.

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Sometimes it's hard to look back at pictures of myself. It's hard to imagine weighing over 500 pounds. But that's me. Jacqueline. A girl who did in fact weigh over 500 pounds. Who had an unhealthy relationship with food. Who struggled to get out of the hole I dug for myself. I was good at making excuses and pushing my problems aside. I laughed it off when I was made fun of and acted like it did not bother me. But deep down inside, I was hurt. I was scared. I wanted to live my life again without my weight holding me back. I wanted to love myself again. I was the only one who was in control of my actions and my decisions. It was up to me. As of today I can proudly say I have lost over 300 pounds. No I did not have weight loss surgery. No I do not have any magic pills or secret tricks to how I lost the weight. I decided enough was enough and I took control back. I changed my diet and began exercising. Change did not come easy and it did not happen overnight! But change is possible. You have to be the one to decide you are ready. You have to work hard and never give up. You can do it! It's never too late to fly! . . . . #jacquelineadan #jacquelinesjourney #tbt #transformation #beforeandafter #beforeandafterweightloss #extremeweightloss #fattofit #onaquest #onepoundatatime #onedayatatime #weightloss #wlstories #obesetobeast #bodyposi #bodypositive #lovemybody #lovemyshape #selflove #bodytransformation #bodybuilding #bodybuildingcom #blogilates #weightlossmotivation #weightlosstransformation #inspiration #fit #fitfam #fitspiration #fitnessmotivation

A post shared by Jacqueline⬇️300lbDiet&Exercise (@jacquelineadan44) on Sep 14, 2017 at 5:48pm PDT

“Sometimes it’s hard to look back at pictures of myself. It’s hard to imagine weighing over 500 pounds. But that’s me. Jacqueline… who had an unhealthy relationship with food. Who struggled to get out of the hole I dug for myself. I was good at making excuses and pushing my problems aside. I laughed it off when I was made fun of and acted like it did not bother me. But deep down inside, I was hurt. I was scared. I wanted to live my life again without my weight holding me back. I wanted to love myself again,” she posted alongside two comparison photos of herself.

And her message is resonating with followers.

Hi! My name is Jacqueline! When I was at my heaviest I was over 500 pounds. It was hard to do anything and I definitely was not living the life I wanted. I was unhappy, felt stuck and did not love myself. Finally I decided enough was enough and I took control back of my life. As of today I have lost over 300 pounds. I am also in the process of having excess skin removal surgery. My journey was far from easy. It was filled with many ups and downs. It took hard work, sacrifice and never giving up, even if it was challenging. It took blood, lots of sweat and many tears. But I would not have changed a thing. It taught me to fight. It taught me to never give up. And most importantly it taught me to believe in myself! My journey is still far from over, and I still have a long way to go but I can honestly say I am doing so much better! Along my journey I did not only lose a lot of weight, but I gained my life back! There is no stopping me now! It's never too late to fly! . . . . #jacquelineadan #jacquelinesjourney #effyourbeautystandards #selflove #lovemybody #lovemyshape #weightloss #weightlossjourney #weightlosstransformation #weightlossmotivation #beforeandafter #beforeandafterweightloss #extremeweightloss #wlstories #onaquest #bodybuilding #bodytransformation #bodybuildingcom #poparmy #transformation #transformationfitnation #trainlikeabeastlooklikeabeauty #transformationtuesday #tuesdaytransformation #fit #fitspo #igweightloss #fattofit #naturalweightloss #fitfam

A post shared by Jacqueline⬇️300lbDiet&Exercise (@jacquelineadan44) on Sep 19, 2017 at 3:38pm PDT

“You are an inspiration! Your honesty and realness makes me feel like I’m not alone… Because of you I’ve started eating healthier and signed up to a gym,” commented one follower.

“Well done you! How amazing are you? What an inspiration – losing weight is so difficult,” posted another.

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After losing more than 350 pounds, the fitness blogger is in the process of having excess skin removal surgery, and an upcoming vacation didn’t keep Adan from dawning a bathing suit despite her loose skin. As a result of her drastic weight loss, Adan has more than 28 pounds in excess skin. Confidence aside, body shamers were quick to point and laugh when she removed her cover up by the beach in Mexico.

When we were on vacation in Mexico a few weeks ago, it was the first time I had worn a bathing suit in a long time, and it had been even longer since I wore a bathing suit without a cover up. I was nervous to take my cover up off and to walk into the pool or walk on the beach. I still felt like that same 500 pound girl…then it happened. A couple sitting by the pool started laughing and pointing at me and making fun of me as soon as I took my cover up off. So what did I do? I took a deep breath, smiled and walked into the pool. That was a huge moment for me. I had changed. I was not the same girl anymore. Yes I still have a lot of loose skin, I may still feel insecure at times, and yes I may still get made fun of. To be honest, yes it bothered me. But I was not going to let people like that affect me anymore! I am not going to let what other people think of me stop me from living my life. They do not know me. They do not know how I have worked my ass off to lose 350 pounds. They do not know how I am recovering from major surgeries. They have no right to sit and point and laugh at me. That's why I smiled. It does not matter what others say or if they try to doubt you or try to bring you down. What matters is how you react to it. How you feel about yourself. Loving yourself just the way you are is hard. Others might not like that. That's ok. I hope you love yourself. Love your body. I hope you keep doing you and just keep smiling! . . . . . #jacquelineadan #jacquelinesjourney #effyourbeautystandards #selfloveclub #selflove #lovemybody #lovemyshape #loveyourself #teamself #extremeweightloss #weightloss #weightlossjourney #weightlosstransformation #weightlossmotivation #beforeandafter #beforeandafterweightloss #wlstories #onaquest #bodybuildingcom #bodypositive #bodyconfidence #bodyposi #transformationfitnation #motivationmonday #mondaymotivation #fitfam #fitspo #bodytransformation #igtransformations #transformationjourney

A post shared by Jacqueline⬇️300lbDiet&Exercise (@jacquelineadan44) on Sep 18, 2017 at 5:37pm PDT

“When we were on vacation in Mexico a few weeks ago, it was the first time I had worn a bathing suit in a long time, and it had been even longer since I wore a bathing suit without a cover up. I was nervous to take my cover up off and to walk into the pool or walk on the beach. I still felt like that same 500 pound girl… then it happened. A couple sitting by the pool started laughing and pointing at me and making fun of me as soon as I took my cover up off… To be honest, yes it bothered me,” she wrote. “I am not going to let what other people think of me stop me from living my life. They do not know me. They do not know how I have worked my ass off to lose 350 pounds… What matters is how you react to it. How you feel about yourself.”

Her followers reactions were mixed with positive praise and anger surrounding the way society reacts to different bodytypes, but one theme was consistent among her fans: her loose skin is a result of hard work and impressive effort.

ALSO SEE: Fitness influencer shows incredible transformation after ditching cardio for weights

I got to workout this morning!! First time in about 2 months!! I am so excited to be able to attend my Saturday workout class again!! It was a little…challenging and I am super sore right now, but I am taking it easy the resting for the rest of the day. It is funny how much your body struggles to do certain movements again, but at the same time it was pretty easy to just jump right back in. I definitely had to modify quite a bit and my arms and back were really really feeling it- but I am listening to my body, allowing it to keep healing and just enjoying working out again!!! Thanks to all my friends I saw in class today and of course @amillionwayspromo I am back!! . . . #jacquelineadan #jacquelinesjourney #fattofit #bodybuilding #gym #bodypositive #bodyposi #goals #extremeweightloss #gyminspiration #losingweight #weightloss #weightlosssupport #weightlosscommunity #beforeandafter #beforeandafterweightloss #weightlosstransformation #weightlossbeforeandafter #bootcamp #onaquest #fit #fitspo #obesetobeast #perfectlyimperfect #fitfam #fitspiration #fitness #workoutmotivation #effyourbeautystandards

A post shared by Jacqueline⬇️300lbDiet&Exercise (@jacquelineadan44) on Sep 2, 2017 at 4:11pm PDT

“You look fantastic! Don’t let those negative people get you down. What an effort, very impressed with your dedication to get to where you are today,” praised one follower.

“Those people who laughed at you are the reason this world is so messed up. Enormously happy for you, continue living with the same confidence,” added another.

While Adan admits it took a lot of effort to smile at the mocking couple rather than retreat into the 500 pound woman she was before, she is happy she did, not only for herself but to share the experience with her followers.

Adan plans to complete her surgeries and continue to empower her followers through reminding them of the power of self love even in the face of cruel – or misinformed – people.

“Loving yourself just the way you are is hard. Others might not like that. That’s OK. I hope you love yourself. Love your body.”

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