Today we’d like to introduce you to Angela Rouse.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I have struggled with weight my entire life, but I believe my journey of weight loss started in Dec 2017. In December, I drove my parents and daughter to New Jersey from Augusta, Georgia. While we were in NJ, since we were so close to New York, I thought it would be a good idea to show my daughter time square.
However, once the initial excitement died down, I quickly realized, I would be unable to walk Time Square because I wasn’t able to stand for long periods of time (or even walk a mile), it was then I realized I was holding my daughter back from the world because I had become “too immobile” to show her. After consulting a nurse, I took multiple pain meds to “numb” me enough to travel to time square however, I was so uncomfortable and tired, eventually I needed my cousin to drive me back to her house, as I was no longer able to walk. At the time, I was 32 years old and over 400 lbs. It was this event that helped me understand that I could no longer live like this. I started first by changing my eating habits, and after losing 36 lbs I underwent a vertical sleeve gastrectomy (vsg) in June 2018. To date, I have lost over 160 lbs.
I now have a mindset of optimism where once I can truly say I was pessimistic. I have been able to truly live my life and achieve happiness. I’ve been able to ride a roller coaster (that at one point I couldn’t fit on), I’ve been able to travel and not worry about not being able to fit in seats, I’ve even completed a half marathon. I now also hike, and love the outdoors, This journey has truly changed my mindset and I have adopted a lifestyle of being healthy (both mentally and physically) and happy.
Has it been a smooth road?
Definitely NOT easy. In fact, during my initial process of getting VSG, the insurance company DENIED my initial surgery date. I was so depressed. I had been working so hard, I knew I needed help, but I just didn’t see how I would be able to get this weight off without the assistance of the sleeve. During that depression, I stopped working out and fell back into bad habits. I gained about 15 pounds (which was more than I had lost at the time). During a parent meeting for my daughter’s dance team (it was actually the first meeting) – I actually BROKE a chair in the middle of the meeting. Fell, on the floor, and it was my daughter who needed to help me up. I was so embarrassed. I knew that regardless of if I had surgery or not, I had to change my mindset and change the way I lived. I eventually got the surgery in June 2018.
This journey is so difficult, but I know I can never go back to where I came from, its moments like that, which makes me understand I still can not STOP! Forward movement is the way to go. I let my clients know that weightloss is 80% mental. During my most difficult times, I have to keep in mind that positive thinking is what is needed or else I will convert back to old habits.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with The Blacque Butterfly – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
The Blacque Butterfly is an organization meant to inspire and motivate women to create and achieve happiness. While my focus is on weight loss (with morbidly obese women), the idea of forward movement does not have to be specific to weight loss. It can be changing careers, starting over from a broken relationship – anything. My purpose is to inspire people to dream the impossible dream and achieve your greatness. You are able to pursue a happy life; we are able to save ourselves from ourselves. My brand offers motivational tools to help women to achieve their goals. I offer life coaching, fitness instruction and starting in 2020 I plan on expanding to motivational speaking and hopefully finishing my first book.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
The thing that I love about Atlanta is also the thing I like least about Atlanta. I’ve been here almost 18 years and SO MUCH has changed. I love that so many people are moving here and living up to their potential. I’m able to meet so many people with so many backgrounds. It’s also a plethora of things to do here, and I love that I am able to what I call “rediscover” my second home. Its a new Atlanta, and I love that I was able to experience the city before and during the major shift in the culture. I will say however, sometimes, I feel it’s hard to grasp on to anything because the city continues to change so often so fast. Change can sometimes be difficult to deal with. It’s different than what I came to in 2002. So its a good and a “not so good” thing at times.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 404-932-9715
- Email: theblacquebutterfly@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/_theblacquebutterfly
- Facebook: facebook.com/theblacquebutterfly
Image Credit:
Angela Rouse
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