How Hattie Montgomery Overcame Sexual Abuse &
Food Addiction and Lost 300 lbs

Ordinary people everywhere are faced day after day with tragic events that occurred in their lives. Some people turn to drugs, alcohol or food and others are courageous enough to find a way to motivate themselves and move forward. Today we get to hear from a courageous young woman who was kind enough to share her story on my blog about her struggles with life and food. When I look at  Hattie Montgomery's life,  I see a woman who somehow found a way of turning her traumatic memories into a story of self-love, honesty and achieving her dreams.  Themes that are near and dear to my heart. You can reach out to Hattie on her facebook page. Show her some love, she deserves it.

Learning to Love Myself and Live Again By Hattie Montgomery

“There comes a time in your life when you walk away from all the drama and people who create it. You surround yourself with people who make you laugh. Forget the bad and focus on the good. Love the people who treat you right and pray for the ones who don’t. Life is too short to be anything but happy. Falling down is a part of life, getting back up is living.” Jose N. Harris

My name is Hattie Montgomery and I have struggled my whole life with my weight. By first grade, I was already developing and by high school I weighed over 300 pounds. After years of bullying (being kicked, shoved and spit on) and then a vicious sexual assault when I was 24, I gave up. I ate to die because I couldn’t take the pain any longer. My spirit was destroyed and I didn’t have any fight left in me. By 31, 3 short years ago, I weighed over 500 pounds and my life was over. I knew my time was short and that was okay. I wasn’t here to be the world’s punching bag.

One day I was with my grandfather who took my hand and said to me, “Hattie, I love you, I’m proud of you and always have been, and I want you to be happy.” My grandfather suffered a severe stroke so those were some of the last words he said to me before he and my grandmother passed away. Those words changed me. They helped remind me that I was special and important.

When I was growing up, I would proudly walk around and tell my family that I was special and was put here to do something great. As my grandfather looked me in the eye I was suddenly that little girl again and knew I couldn’t give up and let the world beat me. It was my time to show just what I was truly made of. I worked hard to forgive the people who had hurt me and to forgive myself. Once I was able to accept those things and move forward, my burden was lifted and I could truly love and honor myself again. I also focused on surrounding myself with the things that brought me strength, peace and happiness. I have had a love for music for most of my life. When I sang it brought such joy to my life, so I started singing again, usually just in the house, but there was music in my life. I have a spiritual connection to the water. I am at peace when I’m swimming or just sitting near it. I tried to find water when I was having a tough moment. The key to truly loving ourselves is to celebrate the things about us that make us unique.

I then made a decision to save my life. I started dieting and exercising and over the course of 3 years lost 300 pounds and reclaimed my life! Finding my value made my success possible. I have my light back, my fight and determination to take on whatever is in front of me. I know my journey continues and I have many more things that I’ve dreamt of accomplishing. Nothing will stop me from where I’m headed. I want people to know that it’s never too late to make a change and save yourself or someone you love. In the beginning my life no longer had meaningand I wanted to die, then I remembered my purpose and wanted to fight to live. In doing so I made a commitment to reach out and help inspire others to do the same. I’m just Hattie Montgomery, an ordinary girl who finally realized that I am special and here to do something truly amazing.

**For more tips and information follow her on Facebook at Hattie Montgomery Fan Page**