Woman Loses 115 Pounds Thanks to Crucial Mindset Shift, Discovers Real Meaning of Self-Love
When Laura Micetich returned home from college for the holidays in 2013, she weighed over 300 pounds.
At her heaviest, she and her parents had a serious discussion about her health.
“I’d developed hypothyroidism and had blood pressure issues,” she said. “I was also teetering precariously close to the edge of pre-diabetes.”
“I soon learned that the higher my weight, the more dangerous the procedure,” recalled Micetich. “I also learned that following the procedure, I’d have to completely overhaul my lifestyle.”
Micetich wasn’t overweight as a child, but she’d always been bigger than most children her age. “I was a large framed tall child with chubby cheeks.
Growing up, she played sports and ate all her vegetables but admits she was a “secret snacker with a strong distaste for cardio.”
It was during, middle school and high school that her problems started getting worse.
Fast forward to college and her weight had become a serious problem.
She had already tried all the tricks in the book: weight loss programs and personal trainers -- but nothing stuck. So, she began looking into weight loss surgeries.
Taking charge of her health and pursuing her goals
As a young adult, she wasn’t left with many choices, and the idea of surgery left a bad taste in her mouth. Before consulting with a doctor, the now 27-year-old took a step back to assess whether or not she could achieve her fitness and health goals on her own.
Soon enough, she joined her university gym, overhauled her diet, and discovered her passion for weight lifting.
Embracing a new life motto
“After dumping out everything in my fridge that served as an unhealthy temptation, I loaded a 10 minute Jillian Michaels workout video on my computer (something I’d also done many times in the past),” she recalled.
She’d been there before, but this time was different.
“At over 300 pounds, it was insanely difficult. I quit after two minutes. Stopped the video. Sat on the floor in a pool of sweat. This time, I didn’t close the video. I told myself to catch my breath, regain my composure, and then -- only when I was ready -- press play again,” she said, “I got another two minutes in.”
Eventually, she finished the video. She did the workout every day for the rest of the week until she was able to make it through the entire 10-minute video in one go.
Then, she signed up for a gym membership across campus. “The rest is history. Since then, my mentality has been “Don’t quit. Just rest.”
Learning to start over and be kinder to herself
Through her journey, Micetich learned the importance of self-love. “We’re way too hard on ourselves. How we speak to ourselves, the labels we give to ourselves in the mirror... we carry those things with us every day,” she said.
Today, she’s grateful of the experience, as challenging as it was at times, because it’s allowed her to recognize that with every new day comes a new opportunity to start over again.
“No matter how good or bad the day before was, I always start over.” she said.
“I’ve stopped looking at so many things in my life as definitive failure and started simply seeing them as growing opportunities. I learned to start over every single morning. New focus. New kindness to self. It’s changed the game."
Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.