Read Chesley Gleason's story and learn how H³I helped her shed 200 lbs!

H³I helped me to get my life back from the brink of destruction. The fact that I lost over 200 lbs is just a by-product of living out this impossible dream. It was August 2006, and I was about to complete the Next Level Fitness triathlon in 100 degree weather. Tears of joy mixed with sweat streamed down my face as I ran toward the finish line. It happened to be in front of the main entrance -- the same doorway I could barely drag my huge, unhealthy body through the summer before. The scene was surreal as my thoughts drifted back to that first day and the string of events that led me to this moment of personal triumph.

My story is a bit overwhelming but needs to be told to validate the excellence of the H³I program and give hope to those in despair. As a teen, I was known as a joyful, talented, and beautiful person with many friends. I was blessed to model professionally but, even at 5’8” and 115 lbs, I never felt thin enough. For years I struggled to control my weight in unhealthy ways. I tried pills, liquid diets, fruit and water, the hot dog diet, structured programs, and stupid regimens that cut out entire food groups. The only things I achieved were eating disorders and a destroyed metabolism. Ironically, instead of being thin, which is all I ever thought about, I became extremely unhealthy and overweight. I cheated myself out of a wonderful life.

Chesley Before & After

Four years ago I was married exactly where the Beach Boot Camp took place. My wedding was like a fairytale, except for my weight -- 250 lbs. Like many people I planned to “get serious” about my health later. Within three months I began experiencing agonizing headaches and started to lose my eyesight. Diagnosed with tumors behind both eyes, my doctors prescribed massive doses of steroids to save my vision. It worked, but left an ugly footprint on my life.

I gained 100 lbs in four months. At 356 lbs, my skin actually ripped open. The months to come were horrific as I was diagnosed with nine separate conditions and was a patient at more hospitals than I can remember. At one point my blood pressure was 290/210. At 33, I was literally taking more pills each day than my age. I became addicted to the prescription pain killers I had to take to endure such pain. My daily life existed on a couch; I was so heavy and swollen from the steroids that I could not lay down because of the weight on my chest. I slept sitting up for eleven months. I became pre-diabetic, lost my hair, and developed adrenal failure. I could not keep food down for six months, and spent two months at Duke Medical Center after I contracted sepsis and my body totally shut down. As I struggled to live, my husband walked into my hospital room and told me he had met someone else. I am not making this up -- some fairytale, huh?

I was sent home from Duke with the knowledge that I would most likely not survive. While I waited to die, I found out that the steroids had caused a type of cancer, so I endured another surgery. I prayed day and night for God to help me. I promised that I would learn from these terrible experiences, that I would take responsibility for what I could control. But how?

Soon my prayers were answered and my father became my ray of hope. He kept telling me he believed in me and talked about a place that might be able to help. I could barely move and my dad was trying to send me to a fitness spa? I thought he had lost his mind. I looked at my miserable life and decided I had to try to change. My dad’s support and generosity led me to start my first H³I program. As I entered the Institute for the first time, I was so beaten down by life’s circumstances I could not look anyone in the face. I was ashamed of my appearance and really scared. Once I met the friendly staff and was wonderfully welcomed, I knew that I was where God wanted me to be. I knew something special was about to happen…

One year later, on the morning of the triathlon, I put on my running shoes and looked at my thin, muscular calves and remembered how fat they used to be. I thought about how hard my legs used to work just to carry my enormous body to the bathroom. Now these same legs are about to carry me through a triathlon! The race began in the pool where only a year before I spent most of my time because I was not fit enough to do anything else. Precious memories came flooding back as I remembered how the extraordinary instructors encouraged me and lent me their strength when I had none of my own. By the time I left (five weeks later) I was able to walk five miles a day and I not only looked people in the face, but smiled -- a lot!

After the swim, I jumped on my bike to complete the ten mile ride and thought of my fear the year before when I tried the bike for the first time in years. The minute I tried it I felt free. For the next year I biked at least ten miles per day. With every mile I felt years of agony and pain fall to the ground. I found my wings and have been soaring ever since. Even when the cancer returned, I continued to ride. Because of what I experienced every day at H³I, no matter what is going on in my life I know I will make better choices. I will exercise to the best of my ability regardless of medical condition, emotions, or state of being. I discovered I could work out even if I’m in a really bad mood. It’s just what I do. Because of H³I, I can fit my nutrition, fitness, and all that goes with being healthy into my day -- no matter what.

On the eighth mile of the bike race, I thought of all the time I spent in the hospital feeling like a victim and pedaled harder. The helpful information and personal assistance I received at H³I came rushing in and out of my mind, from the visualization exercises that helped me avoid those midnight refrigerator raids, to the Emotional Eating week that changed how I think about food forever. I could hear Bob Wright cheering us on! And I carry everyone’s encouraging smiles with me everywhere I go.

I finished the race and count that day as one of the best in my life. Although it was just the end of a race to some, it was the closing chapter of the helpless and defeated part of my life. I am beginning an amazing new part of my life now that I really am in control. I look forward to my future and confidently face whatever may come. Hey, if this South Carolina girl can finish a triathlon, what can’t I do?

Since I first encountered H³I, my life is not recognizable. They taught me to live like a healthy person, to put my health first. I’ve asked myself what made this program work for me while other things I tried for years failed. The answer is the H³I program meets you where you are -- no matter where that is. They teach you that making healthy choices is not only easy, but fun! I am passionate about urging people not to wait until they are sick to get healthy. Never in my life did I think fun and exercise could be in the same sentence, much less be true. Making better choices day by day adds up to a healthier lifestyle. Living this lifestyle is so much easier than living an unhealthy existence. And guess what, this program not only works but it is healthy, it is simple, it is wonderful.

I used to think my situation was absolutely hopeless, but I was wrong. Thank you so much H³I. I am a life that was changed because of you. It is hard for me to contain my happiness, joy, and gratitude. I am in control of my health -- that’s never happened in my life before. My new doctors read my medical file and say that I should be dead. I am living in a miracle and a large part of the credit goes to H³I. Thank you for teaching me how to achieve and maintain this dream. Whenever I get off track, I ride my bike over to H³I, step through that doorway and see the faces of the new guests. I feel the healthy energy floating in the air. I take a deep breath and remember what my job is for the day and I get right back on my program.

Last month I was diagnosed with the eye tumors again, but this time is so different than before. Today I ran five miles, did over a hundred jumping jacks and spent thirty minutes doing floor-work. I had my metabo-meals and did a thermal walk. I made better choices in my nutrition and smiled most of the day. People come up to me quite regularly now and tell me that I inspire them. Next they ask, “How have you done this?” Humbly, my answer is always the same…God, my dad, and H³I.

Chesley Thompson Gleason
Hilton Head Island, SC