The Courage To Be Imperfect

How many times have I waited for things to be "perfect" before I try something? I am taking the trip of a lifetime, and honestly? I should be a lot slimmer to attempt this. I should have better mobility. But I am doing it anyway because life won't wait.
My name is Heather and I'm from Portland, Oregon. I am eating a plant-based, whole foods, unprocessed diet, with no sugar, oil, flour or alcohol, to take off weight and regain my life. I once weighed over 436 lbs and have released over 110 lbs eating this way and walking for exercise. I call my channel The Butterfly Effect because I believe that all the small choices you make, over time, add up and have a huge effect on your life. I wanted to show people like me who have 100, 150, 200 or more pounds to take off that it can be done and we can do it together. I am far from perfect and have struggled with compulsive eating and been overweight for all of my life, but there is hope for me and there is hope for you too. What can you do, today, to bring you closer to your goals tomorrow? Please consider giving my videos a thumbs up, commenting and subscribing. I would be incredibly grateful for your support on this journey!
Facebook Group: #!/groups/58...

[@divaextraordinary]

Come on out and WIN AGAIN. It's your turn to be inspired, encouraged and loved. You are great. Don't be embarrassed and hide. Come out in the sun and get healthy again, and this time, no falling back. Develop a strong spiritual center and connection - all else is possible from there! Be strong, YOU CAN MAKE IT!

[@missiris1234]

Go and enjoy yourself! Don’t forget we are behind you 100%

[@angelarose6602]

Heather we are all thinking about you ❤

[@karefreeman2000]

I really miss you. I didn't comment often but I really miss your videos.

[@roseculbreth3959]

You are so going to love Costa Rica!! It is beautiful. And so are you, Have a blast

[@l.j.2043]

Can't wait to hear all about your trip to Costa Rica. You are absolutely right...we should embrace the moment instead of waiting for perfection. Have a great trip and hope you will take a few photos..especially the food and the boat trip!

[@talks2squirrels953]

Hope you are okay...

[@mainelycarolyn4901]

So nice to see you Heather..So proud of you for not canceling, weight has always held me back! You are going to have a trip of a lifetime! Enjoy every minute!❤

[@PetBunnyDebbie]

Heather, people like you and me who know the benefits of WFPB and have lost weight but relapsed, we should have our own support group.

[@judyosborne]

What a delight to see you again on video! Your upcoming trip to Costa Rico sounds amazing. Have lots of fun and take photos honey.

[@JimmyCricket61258]

So happy for you Heather. I put off dreams all the time because of my size.

[@MrsPlantinTexas]

It’s like when people say they’re going to wait until they make enough money to get married or have children. What is enough? Sometimes, you just have to do things that are in your heart after plenty of prayer (which I KNOW you did!). This trip will be amazing no matter where you are in your weight loss journey because your heart is one size (big!) and that never changes. You will feel it when you experience God’s creations (like those Howler monkeys, the breathtaking scenery, the people there, and the scrumptious vegan food!). Have the blast of your life! I can’t wait to hear all about it! I’m so thrilled for you!! ❤❤❤❤

[@halfofc]

🌻🌹💐So pleased to see your video, was thinking about you this morning! You really resonate with me as my journey has been similar (although I've never managed to release as much weight as you have during your journey). Really hope you have a wonderful holiday and it fills you with happiness and joy! Having my mid-morning coffee break and enjoying your video, you are a ray of sunshine!!! xxxxx C

[@jccastle3452]

Your words powerfully spoke to me. I'm so glad that you shared this. It's exactly what I needed to hear. God bless you on your trip. I hope it is the trip of your lifetime!

[@marydely0880]

Lovely personality❤

[@jcsmith7898]

You continue to inspire me. Thanks for coming back to e and time again. I so appreciate your support.

[@laurieanne9712]

O super yeah for you!

[@rlshieldsok]

I dealt with this facing a trip to Bali. I went, couldn't do everything I wanted, but it was a once in a lifetime experience.

[@cyndiestuemke6690]

So happy for you and your plan. Please continue to think about how important it is to be in the moment, don't wait for the perfect timing, it does not happen often.

[@donnaeichenlaub8180]

You are an amazing beautiful lady. I hope you enjoy your trip.

[@dionnereid1737]

Well Done You - long time Dead 😆🤣😂 I'm from the UK & say that phrase all the time👍🏾👌🏾👏🏽🙌🏾💪🏾🙏🏽

[@teresawoods5099]

I bet you are going to have a blast!!! Excited for you.

[@viviannedonnelly233]

Wow Heather, as always you said it so well; experience life now, in the moment! Have a wonderful trip!

[@merrill997]

Have a wonderful trip! Congratulations on living your life!

[@maryshannon3326]

So glad you are going!!! You will have a amazing time. Perfection is an illusion. I love to see you living your life with joy! ❤️

[@amandadurbin4462]

Wishing you an amazing time. You so deserve it. You are inspiring to listen too xx

[@carmenotto5836]

All the best wishes for you and your trip! We really can't wait until everything is perfect, because maybe this will never happen. You are such a wonderful person. And in a way, you are perfect right now. I stopped restricting, but at the same time automatically craving for food. I allow myself to eat everything, my body really needs ant tells me, I should have. And: Surprise: It's nearly never meat, nearly never alcohol. Sometimes an egg, no longer cheese. But most times I really want to have very flavourful plant based meals. I dont't crave processed food, because I allow myself enough savoury plant based food until I'm satiated. I don't need refined sugar, because I soetimes eat some dates or raisins or better: some home made sweets on this basis. For me, a little bit of oil is o.k.. It would be too hard for me to stop using any oil at all. But that's up to personal preference. Eating very slowly and enjoying the taste has become so important. to me. And it is so much fun! And that's why I don't need huge amounts of my delicious recipes to be 100 % satisfied an satiated. My favourite inpsirations are from Nisha from rainbowplantlife or Brittany from thejaroudifamily. It is such a wonderful feeling not having to restrict anymore. Because of all my strict diets in the past, it may be, that I will never be as slim again as a young person or in the very, very short periods after some of my restrictive diets in the past. This way of living is my new "perfect". It feels so good. For my all around sense of well-being it has become much more important to be kind to myself, allow myself the food I really (really!!!) need and to realize, that our weight doesn't define our worth. Life has become so wonderful since then. Many greetings from Germany! And well done, that you don't wait any longer! Have a great time!

[@prettygirlsmom9567]

So happy for you! It will be a great trip! You have been on my mind lately, now here you are. ❤️

[@autumnnite1803]

Hope you have a wonderful trip, can't wait to hear all about your adventure.

[@cherylsyoutubies]

Have a safe, amazing trip!!!

[@adairvoorhees5971]

So encouraged by your transparency. I to, have put weight back on and I’m having the a hard time shedding it. You are an encouragement! Enjoy your trip!

[@maryshank7825]

Have fun!

[@1AJohnnyCruiser]

Have a good time on your trip Heather. We're all doing the best we can. Your split pea soup is still one of my favorites

[@fnyfrm]

Love you my friend!

[@veeveeisallyouneed]

Have a wonderful trip!

[@MotherMaples]

Any progress is progress. The time passes anyway, so might as well keep going. Do your trip and enjoy it exactly as you are. I’m going on a trip soon too and I haven’t reached my goal weight. That’s okay. I hope you love every minute of it.

[@Linda211]

There are so many things I've always wanted to do, but my weight has always held me back. Have a wonderful trip, Heather! ❤

[@emmajane1391]

Good for you 🎉

[@chellymccrillis4626]

Good for you! Have the time of your life! ❤

[@Cindyscrossstitch]

You enjoy every minute of your trip. Blessings to you🌻🌻

[@Oldbroad1]

Hey, Heather! Where are you? Come back, you are missed and much loved by many! Did you just give up and don’t want to do this anymore? We all know the feeling. At least come back and say goodbye? 💗🦋🌹🧚🏾‍♀️🏳️‍🌈👍

[@NSkrobis]

So happy to see you! Have a great vacation! Please come back online when you come back.

[@eileenacker1964]

Hope you see cute Sloths and enjoy the water and your friend. You’re brave. Traveling is tough for me…all the things…so yes, be in the moment. Waiting on the other side to hear about your trip.😎

[@sn232]

You are so sweet, you go and have a fantastically, wonderfully, relaxing trip! Sometimes I think doing things like this is all we need to help us to find ourselves again, and re-fill ourselves with lots of laughter and happiness! Enjoy this amazing experience :)

[@irmacastaneda1792]

I'm so happy for you. Have a great time!

[@kathleenpreusser6931]

Enjoy your trip! ❤

[@l.j.2043]

Heather, have you taken your trip yet? Been wondering.

[@luvmysnowful]

Have a great time, be safe ❤️

[@gwenroireau6203]

Lovely to see you! Have the best time!!!!!

[@stephanieborisable]

So nice to see you! Enjoy your trip!

[@PlantBasedDianna]

Did you make it back from Costa Rica? Haven't heard back.....Hope all is well!!

[@elizabethshepard6305]

So wonderful to hear from you. Have a great trip.

[@susanclark3467]

Have a great trip and yes don’t let anything get in your way!!! I look forward to your videos it doesn’t matter your size at all it matters your heart and you have a beautiful heart-please know that it’s the only thing that matters!!!!

[@donnawhitehair2842]

It's so good to see you again. My weight has always held me back too, but I love your attitude. I'm working on that for myself also. I was vegan for 3 1/2 years and just recently started to eat vegetarian because I got really low on B12, that was horrible. I'm not good at keeping up with supplements (bad case of laziness) lol. Don't get too busy and forget to update us on your travels. I'm sure you'll have loads of fun. I would love to see you more and you don't have to always talk about diet, everything you talk about in interesting.

[@Oldbroad1]

Awesome, awesome, awesome! Forget the pics, just use your eyes! Have fun, forget your worries. You deserve a good time ❤

[@stephanieborisable]

You have such a soothing voice. Have a wonderful and safe trip!

[@BettyHorn]

Have the time of your life! We'll be here when you get back!

[@kerstinschulze-neick4224]

I am so happy for you!

[@juliewerner9592]

So goos to see you again,, Hi from Australia 😊😊

[@GraceGrace_77]

So happy for you! I pray you have the BEST time! 🥰🙏🏻🤗🙌🏻

[@marisajonassaint1871]

Thank you for sharing! I really needed your example right now! You are so beautiful and I love you, have a wonderful trip! Cant wait to see your video when you get back! ❤

[@catherineleslie2338]

Heather, you are so inspiring. I wanted to put off going on a cruise but I will not put it off now. Looking forward to hearing about your trip!!

[@Joy_Chism]

Enjoy. So excited for you! May this trip be relaxing, inspiring and full of adventure!

[@tishamonroe7418]

sounds like an absolute wonderful vacation Heather!!!!!! take pics to share.

[@kimmcdonald5000]

Awesome. Enjoy. Safe travels. BLESS.

[@rosabella4440]

So good to see you!! Have a blast in Costa Rica!! They have awesome fruit!!! Can’t wait to see pics and hopefully a few videos. That’s nice to just enjoy the moment! But! Videos are great for looking back! I’m not putting anything off at the moment. Having health issues that hopefully will get better soon. Enjoy and God bless ! Safe travels

[@susanrodman9384]

Good for you!!! Have a blast ❣️

[@paulawhite8674]

Have a marvelous exciting adventure!!

[@cat-annechats5362]

Yay! Enjoy and take pictures so you'll remember it when you want too!

[@MD20239]

Have a great time! Enjoy your vacation as well!

[@melissahayes9461]

Have a wonderful time! ❤

[@pattypop52]

You go girl. I waited too long for conditions to be right, & didn't get on a horse til age 69, now gonna be 71 in less than 3 months. Go & enjoy, yes , we are a long time dead, altho, i won't care, once i get to Gloryland !! Looking forward to ur vlogs/pics & stories. Luv u more, bc i am the oldest LOL xo

[@l.j.2043]

Heather..I say this with kindness...but if you aren't coming back to youtube, can you at least post a message on the community page to let us know. Thanks.

[@prettygirlsmom9567]

How was your trip to Costa Rica? Thinking of you and would love to hear from you ❤️

[@l.j.2043]

Are you coming back to youtube Heather? It has been 3 months since we last heard from you.

[@MsGale.]

Enjoy yourself in the LORD 💝 Ask HIM to help you and let HIM know you can't do it, you need HIM to do it, and everything else, that's what I had to realize and do now HE'S showing me the way I should go PSALM 32:8 KJV💝 get back to watching what you eat...count those calories 💝 LOVE you and HOLY GOD bless 💝

[@hadiqa2832]

Hi Heather, I have sent you an email kindly check your inbox. Thanks