The Weight of Change
How Taking Back My Health Gave Me the Courage to Keep Reaching Higher
The Breaking Point
By the time I reached my lowest point, I was working full-time at the Saline County Health Department while also picking up PRN shifts at a long-term care facility. Every day, I cared for others—new mothers, fragile infants, and elderly residents who depended on me for comfort and safety. But when I came home, I had nothing left for myself. I was exhausted beyond belief—mentally, physically, and emotionally drained.
The moment that first shook me came during what should have been a joyful family trip to Silver Dollar City. My husband and I had taken the kids for a weekend getaway, excited to make memories together. But when we arrived, I couldn’t even fit comfortably into the ride seats. I stood on the sidelines watching my family laugh, pretending to smile while holding back tears. Not long after, I injured my knee so badly that walking became unbearable. The pain was constant and consuming, and I began to realize how much my health had slipped away.
But my actual breaking point came a few months later, when our family went to the Dinosaur Adventure in Derby, Kansas, followed by a trip to the Wichita Zoo. What should have been a day of fun turned into a painful reminder of how limited I had become. I could barely walk through the exhibits. My family moved ahead while I searched for benches to rest on, struggling just to catch my breath. By the end of the day, I was in tears. When it was time to leave, my son had to help me back into the car, forcibly bending my swollen knee so I could fit my leg inside. That moment broke me completely. I knew I couldn’t live like that any longer. Something had to change.
The Journey Back to Myself
Even though my knee hurt, I made a promise to move anyway. At work, I began walking half a mile two or three times a day and added squats whenever I could. The progress was slow, and the pain was real, but I refused to quit. My coworkers would cheer me on when they saw me sneaking in a few extra steps or stretches. Every small effort mattered.
Eventually, I dropped to 276 pounds, and in June 2024, I had my first knee replacement surgery. It was one of the most challenging recoveries of my life, but it also became my turning point. I started focusing more seriously on nutrition—learning what foods fueled my body and which ones drained my energy. After talking with my doctor, I began weight-loss injections as part of my treatment plan. They weren’t a shortcut but a tool that supported the healthy habits I was already building.
A year later, in June 2025, I underwent my second knee replacement. I entered that surgery stronger and more determined than before. By October 2025, I weighed 211 pounds—a number I hadn’t seen in years. But more important than the number was the feeling: I could walk without pain, chase after my kids, and genuinely enjoy life again.
A Continuing Journey
It’s now been eight weeks since I’ve been off the weight-loss shots, and I’ve maintained my progress. That’s something I’m deeply proud of—it shows that the discipline and habits I built are here to stay. But my journey isn’t over. I’m still walking, still learning, and ready to keep pushing toward better health.
Through this process, I’ve learned that transformation isn’t about perfection; it’s about persistence. It’s about showing up for yourself when no one’s watching and having faith that small, consistent steps add up to lasting change.
My weight loss gave me something I hadn’t felt in years—confidence. It gave me the courage to go back to school and pursue my Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Returning to college after so many years wasn’t easy, but it felt right. I wanted to expand my knowledge, strengthen my skills, and set an example for my children that it’s never too late to grow or start over. The same determination that carried me through physical transformation now fuels my professional journey.
My renewed health has also helped me connect more deeply with my son Nathanael, who is autistic and lives with severe ADHD. We work together every day, finding structure, patience, and joy in small victories. My journey has given me the strength and stability to be fully present for him—to walk beside him both literally and emotionally. In many ways, he’s been my greatest motivation and my daily reminder that perseverance changes lives.
As a nurse, I now bring a new level of empathy to my patients. When someone feels overwhelmed or discouraged, I can honestly tell them, “I’ve been there.” Because I have, healing is hard work, but it’s worth every ounce of effort.
My knees may bear the scars of surgery, but they also carry me forward—with strength, hope, and gratitude. I’m not just lighter in body—I’m lighter in spirit. This is more than a story of weight loss. It’s a story of rediscovering myself, one step at a time.
Author Bio
Sarah Schale, RN, CBS
Sarah is a registered nurse at the Saline County Health Department’s WIC program and works PRN in long-term care. She lives in Lincoln, Kansas, with her husband and children. When she isn’t working, she enjoys fishing, playing piano, and supporting her son Matthew in his choir performances. Sarah also works closely with her son Nathanael, who is autistic and has severe ADHD, helping him grow, learn, and thrive through structure, compassion, and teamwork. Her journey continues as she focuses on living a life of health, faith, learning, and purpose.
