Shelley Johnson - My Secret Escape: Restore Your Dignity, Transform Your Body (its this way...)

Shawnee finds weight loss success after having a baby!

"I began this program with some trepidation as I have tried so many things and failed. I started to struggle with my weight after college and then having a baby and dealing with fibroids, the medications and surgery from it... I was a mess. I was so down on myself because I had been trying to lose weight with no real success and seeing friends who had had a baby and regained their regular bodies back made me feel awful! After learning about Losing Coach and Shelley, I was so willing to give it a try! I love the program! I do not feel shame or judgement about my food choices because the program works regardless of your lifestyle. I also love the daily positive reminders and phone meetings. I have not been doing the program long, but I am proud of the progress I have made thus far. I have gone from a size 8-10 to a size 4 and I am looking forward to reaching my goal by this summer with the help of Losing Coach!"

- Shawnee

Malisa found her game-changer and lost 64 lbs!

"I was overwhelmed with my weight and how I had let the number on the scale get so high. I dreaded getting up each morning and choosing clothes from the few outfits that still fitmostly leggings and large tops. How I looked was impacting how I felt about myself, my confidence, and even my ability to allow others to connect with me. I was desperate for help but living in a very small rural community and a random work schedule, that includes traveling, made getting help a challenge. Finding Shelley's online course and virtual support was a gamechanger for me. Losing Coach gave me the tools I needed to love and support myself. I could still do so much of what was important to me, like having meals with my family and dining out, while bringing down the number on the scale. Through the encouragement of Shelley and others on their journey, I believe I am worthy of love from myself and others! With 64 pounds down to date, I am lighter physically, stronger mentally and happier spiritually. I love that I have made all my own decisions, which will support me in maintaining the weight loss. Shelley's energy, passion and enthusiasm have helped me realize that the power to change and sustain my health was in me all along."

- Malisa

MY SECRET ESCAPE: Restore Your Dignity, Transform Your Body (its this way...) by Shelley Johnson

Copyright 2018 Shelley Johnson

All rights reserved.

This book is not intended to be a substitute for the medical advice of a licensed physician. The reader should consult with their doctor in any matters relating to their health.

Cover design by Ellie Searl, Publishista

ISBN: 9780578411835
ISBN: 9780578435718 (e-book)

First Edition

www.losingcoach.com

GIANT OAK PUBLISHING

Dublin, OH

This book is dedicated to

My father, THE Bob McDowell (1943-2018). You left me with your brilliant mind, common sense, and integrity to TRUTH.

My kids, as lifes greatest teachers, you taught my heart to LOVE.

And ultimately dedicated to my seed of LOVE, the heart, mind and soul of this book

Table of Contents

It's This Way...

I describe the experience of a woman's weight struggle to a P.O.W. camp. And that is exactly what it is like.

You feel like a prisoner, completely imprisoned and trapped inside a body you can't get out of.

When I was 220 lbs., I intuitively knew that, no way, no how, no matter what I did, right now, at this momentcould I be thin tomorrow.

And it was the overwhelming frustration of that truth that paralyzed me and kept me inside this prison.

But one day, I eventually took one leap of faith and got out.

And I'm here to tell you, "It's this way..."

How did I get out?

Honestly, at the time it happened, I had no idea what I was about to do.

That's why it was a real leap of faith.

When you are imprisoned in a prison camp for as long as I was, you really don't know where you are, or what route will lead to freedom.

I knew there were risks and dangers in leaving the campI didn't know what was out there, what wild animals would attack, or what storms would hit. I knew I would be completely alone to fend for myselfno guarantee of food, water, or shelter. I had to trust I would figure it out, because I knew that if I stayed, I would die.

So, I asked a friend to come with me. She refused.

With or without her, I had to get out.

So, I waited until it was the right time.

When was that?

When I finally reached the end of my rope and realized all hope was lost. No one else was going to rescue me.

My Will I make it out? was answered with You wont make it in here.

All my but hows? were answered with I dont know.

All my what ifs? were answered with Doesnt matter!

All of my fighting and resistance had ceased. I gave up!

I surrendered.

This is when I could finally make my escape.

And so all alone, secretly and silently in the middle of the night, I crawled beneath the fence to face the darkness alone. It was Do or Die!

I bolted like a bat out of hell and ran as fast as I could.

I didnt have a clue about where I was going. I didn't know the route in such unfamiliar territory.

I could hear the bullets flying overhead and voices calling me back.

Yet as I continued to keep my eye on the freedom I longed for, pressing forward, and staying low, the clearing got wider.

The voices dimmed. And eventually, darkness turned to light.

I weathered a few storms and survived to make it to complete freedom and safety.

I got out!

Unbeknownst to me at the time, I had found the escape path out of obesity.

Some say I was a pioneer. Some say I got very lucky. Some say it was divinely inspired.

I only know that I got out, and now, I knew the way out, a safe way out, and I held the map to this escape route.

What happened next paints the picture further.

Erin, an old friend of mine from elementary school, called me. She was amazed at what I had done. She went on and on about it. I could see she was still imprisoned.

So I could only assume she wanted out too, so I asked her if she would like me to help her get out.

Pridefully, she said, "Oh no, I'm fine!"

She had tried so many times before to get out, to no avail, so she had come to accept her imprisonment as her lot in life.

But then I promised her, "I can help you."

See, I absolutely knew that I had found the way out, so I could promise her.

She said no again.

But despite her words, I heard her heart screaming, "YES!"

I touched her hand and said in a very quiet voice, "Trust me, it's this way..."

And simply by hearing my voice say, "Trust me, it's this way... she too crawled underneath the fence, in the middle of the night, onto the same escape route.

I was there to guide her, to say, "Stay low, the bullets won't hit you."

"Do not pay attention to the voices calling you back."

"Don't worry, the storm will pass."