AWeight LossJourneyMISTIE DESPER34 • JANUARY 2021
Running into an old friend would change Sharon Tipper , s lifein ways she could have never imagined by helping her shedover 60 pounds and regain her health and happiness.During a chance encounter atthe 2019 Mistletoe Marketplace,Sharon ran into an old friend thatshe simply did not recognize dueto her weight loss. She said, “I hadto do a double take because shelooked so different.” Admittingher friend, Lynnette McNeil,looked simply “incredible,” shewas compelled to find out exactlywhat she had been doing.At the time, Sharon had beenstruggling with her own health andweight issues. Having little energyand a plummeting self esteem thatwas causing her distress in dailylife, she revealed, “The Lord said tome that this is not the life I calledyou to live.” Adding to her distress,her weight was causing shortnessof breath, body aches, and justgeneral unwellness.Wanting to “hide from theworld,” Sharon was ready to makea real change in her life. Herhusband, Carey, and daughter,Ansley Morgan, were behind herone hundred percent. She recalled,“My husband is my biggestsupporter. When I talked to himabout it, he told me, ‘Do it for yousweetheart.’” Overcome withemotion remembering those whohave been her rocks during thistime, she lovingly spoke of eachperson that has been instrumentalin her success.She then contacted Lynnettewho became her health coach andpart of her support system. Withthe support of her friends andfamily and the guidance ofLynnette, Sharon eagerly began herjourney on Memorial Day 2020.Eating several small mealsduring the day, avoiding junk food,soft drinks, and aiming for 10,000steps daily, it wasn’t long beforethe weight started peeling away.Daughter Ansley has beenSharon’s biggest cheerleader alwaysexpressing how proud she is of hermom. These little constant wordsof encouragement have helped herpush through the hard days andtrials she has faced along the way.The love and support she has felthas made a huge impact on her life.As the weight melted away,Sharon’s confidence and overallhappiness began to return. “Myfamily, friends, and work familyhave been my biggest supportersand always help me stay on track,”she explained. Sharon’s co-workersat Highland Endodontics inMadison support and cheer heron daily. Her friends also keepher needs in mind when hostingdinners or meetings at restaurantsso Sharon can stay on track withher goals. This type of support isvital to accomplishing such anobjective and her circle has risento the challenge to help ensure hersuccess. Sharon considers herselffortunate to have so many peoplebehind her during her journey.Her health coach has been aconstant encourager and supportsystem to keep her positivethroughout this journey as well.Lynnette said, “I love seeing howmuch more she is enjoying life nowbecause of all the effort she’s putinto creating new healthy habitsthat will last her a lifetime.”Regaining her health has beenSharon’s main goal and motivation.“My biggest victory through all ofthis is resolving IBS health issues.They have completely gone away,”she admits.Health coach Lynnette added,“Sharon is a lady on fire for herhealth and I’m so blessed and proudto walk alongside her and so manyother people just like us who weretired of not being able to have thequality of life we longed for.”Sharon isn’t done yet. Fullsteam ahead and not looking backto her former ways, she hopes tolose an additional 20lbs. A journeylike this has its ups and downs aswell as setbacks. Sharon encourages,“Believe in yourself. You are worththe investment in yourself.” Forthose wanting to begin a similarjourney, she suggests finding anaccountability partner. Sharon said,“There will be hard days, you needsomeone to encourage and keepyou positive.”Sharon is taking her journeyone day at a time and enjoying hernew vigor for life and renewedhealth. She said, “The Lord keepsshowing me that I can do all thingsthrough Him.” She is excited to seewhat the future holds.Hometown MADISON • 35