Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Holmes.
Hi Nicole, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
This past year really put me to the test. I overcame a lot of challenges both mentally and physically. I had been fighting obesity my entire life and I finally realized it was time to make my health a priority. In the past, I had lost 100 pounds 3 times prior. I tried everything diet and calorie deficit program out there. Nothing seemed to stick. The problem wasn’t losing the weight, it was losing it and keeping it off. I underwent a sleeve gastrectomy in July of 2021 and have since lost 160 pounds. I began this journey at 321 pounds and I am currently sitting comfortably at 160.
Along this journey, I discovered an amazing community on Instagram where I would meet three amazing women @becoming_bex, @bariatricwarrior and my third friend who sparkles and shines but prefers to remain anonymous.
The four of us created a podcast called R2DP (Road To Discovery Podcast) breaking the stigma on weight loss surgery. The goal is to help educate and prepare those who are interested in the surgery or just to inform those who are unknowledgeable about the topic.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
To say that this journey has been a smooth one would be a lie. In fact, this journey is ongoing and it is a lifestyle that I intended on maintaining for the rest of my life. To make the choice to choose yourself means dedicating yourself to a lifelong commitment toward your well-being. After undergoing weight loss surgery I had to make a lot of changes.
Every day is a day full of goal setting. Will I meet my protein and hydration goals? Can I commit to a low-sugar high protein diet? Will I meet my physical fitness goals? Many people think that weight loss surgery is the easy way out when in fact, it is just the opposite. WLS is only a tool. It is up to the individual who received this tool to maintain a healthy lifestyle. There is also a lot of mental work that comes with it. Not only the physical. I had to learn to accept my body at 321 pounds before beginning this journey. I would look at myself in the mirror and thank my body for carrying me that day. I call this body neutrality.
You don’t have to love your body but you do need to be kind to it. You don’t go around to random people on the street screaming “I hate you, you’re ugly, you’re fat” absolutely not! So why would you talk to yourself in that same way? I also overcame many hurdles with eating disorders and food addictions. I started little by little, making tiny changes that eventually turned into habits.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I work as an actress, model, and filmmaker in Los Angeles.
Most recently I have been hosting/producing a Podcast alongside three other amazing women within the weight loss surgery community called R2DP The Road To Discovery Podcast where we are breaking the stigma on weight loss surgery. You can find the podcast on apple podcasts and Spotify as well as on Instagram @roadtodiscoverypodcast.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
The best part about this city is the many opportunities to meet, interact and collaborate with so many creative and like-minded individuals as it is a hub of creative activity.
The only problem is there isn’t enough time in the day to meet them all! I love that I get to be a small part of this big melting pot of creativity and diversity.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://nicoleleighholmes.wixsite.com/filmmaker
- Instagram: @spooky_VSG_Barbie
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NicoleTheFilmmaker
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/show/1c7L92dCRxbf6xbrwNmRV9
