The second episode of Extreme Makeover Weight Loss Edition 2012 was filled raw emotion. The reason a person gains weight is always unique. For some there is a medical cause, but for most people it is an emotional issue. Jacqui started gaining her weight at the age of 14, after a devastating physical attack. She was attacked and raped at a party. Unable to cope with the mental scars, she turned to food for emotional comfort. In a two year period, she gained over 100 lbs. I cannot imagine the pain she had gone through dealing with the trauma.
We first meet Jacqui at 30 years old and 355 lbs. She had married the man of her dreams and the two of them had been trying to start a family. After years of failed attempts, Jacqui learned that she has PCOS, polycystic ovary syndrome. This medical condition causes symptoms such as weight gain, hormonal changes, and above all it effects fertility. Her doctor had told her that without gastric bypass surgery, there would be no way for her to get pregnant. Losing weight can reduce the effects of PCOS and would give her a better chance at getting pregnant. This was such an emotional scene. As a woman, I cannot imagine being in the situation she was in.
After she found out that she is infertile because of her weight, she immediately contacted Chris Powell. He accepted her as a client and she started her weight loss journey! He developed a one year, four stage plan for her to lose 200 lbs. and change her life. Hopefully by the end of that year she would be able to get pregnant and achieve her dreams.
A major area that Chris Powell had to address with Jacqui was her fear of failure. She was a theater buff in her youth, but gave up her performing career due to self esteem issues. Chris had his own secret goal that she would get on stage and sing in public.
Jacqui’s husband through the entire journey was amazing. At one point she quit her job to focus full time on her health. Her supported her both by getting a second job and by always being there for her emotionally.
At the end of the episode we find out she set a record for weight loss. She went from 355 lbs. to 148 lbs. and could now start trying for a family.
