Twin sisters Mary and Ruth looked like copies of each other – until they were 11-years-old and Mary started having problems with her weight. When they got older, she weighed 190 kg (420 lbs), compared to Ruth who weighed 54 kilograms (120 lbs). Their mother called Ruth “the beautiful one“. She was considered the pretty twin, while the family became more and more concerned about her sister’s health Mary. Mary’s 13-year-old son feared that she would eat herself to death. Eventually, her family expressed their emotional concern on a TV program. But an emotional statement wasn’t enough, it took a heartbreaking tragedy to change her life. Read the full story below.
Mary heard her family’s concern on the Oprah Winfrey’s TV show in 2005.
Mary’s weight problems had a negative impact on the whole family. Her twin Ruth struggled with both anorexia and bulimia because she was afraid of gaining weight like her sister.
Meanwhile, Mary’s 13-year-old son, was afraid she would eat herself to death.
“I really want to say to my mom, just stop eating because if you keep on going you can die, and I don’t want you to die because you’re my mom,” her son said – something he had never told Mary. It brought them both to tears that day.
Despite the family’s emotional stand, Mary continued with her unhealthy lifestyle. She couldn’t stop eating.
But six years later, the unthinkable happened. Mary got a call from the police, who gave her shattering news: her 19-year-old son had passed away in a car accident.
The family suffered great sorrow and Mary didn’t know what to do. But this tragedy would soon become the turning point for her weight problem.
Her son’s words from the TV program six years earlier inspired Mary to do what she had previously seen as impossible – to change herself.
“Enough is enough. I’ve gotta get help,” she told herself.
She started exercising regularly – fully motivated to make a change.
“I love working out, I work out as much as I can, I can breathe. I’ve lost the weight by eating healthy and working out,” Mary says.
Seven months later, Mary had lost nearly 60 kilos (120 lbs).
“I feel great, and I’m still going. I got a long way to go, but I’m still going,” she says.
Watch a video of Mary’s story below:
What a strong woman you are, Mary – and I’m so glad you could find inspiration in this great tragedy. If you too were touched by her story, feel free to share with your friends and family.
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