Adry Bella battled food addiction and struggled with her weight for years until one day in 2012, she noticed swelling on her legs and feet.
“Being in the medical field, I knew what those things meant and that I had to make a change immediately,” Adry explained.
At the time, she weighed 275 pounds.
She started experiencing excruciating pain
Not only did Adry experience painful swelling, but she also had constant headaches and excruciating back pain, that sometimes left her in tears.
She had neglected her health and body for a long time, admitting that Coke was her to-go drink at every meal and that she almost never drank water.
When I started seeing food as fuel and as eating to survive rather than living to eat, that's when I committed.
Adry Bella in Daily Mail
When she finally decided to transform her life and break the cycle of neglect, she started by walking a mile several days a week, cutting out sugary foods, junk and drinking plenty of water.
The commitment paid off
Within the first month of her journey, Adry was down 15 pounds.
I had done enough damage to my body, so I owed myself the repair. I didn't see my diet (health quest) as a sacrifice, I saw it as a road to recovery of an addiction I had developed with food.
Over the next 20 months, Adry lost 150 pounds naturally and remained consistent in her efforts to maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle, even after tragedy struck.
Sadly, Adry lost her first child, a daughter named Leah, in September 2015, after the baby was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder during pregnancy.
It caused the baby girl’s kidneys and lungs not to develop properly and she passed away three days after she was born.
When she got pregnant again, she knew things had to change
As fate would have it, Adry became pregnant a second time and was determined to stay as healthy as possible.
To keep herself motivated, she took to Instagram to share with other women how she dealt with weight gain during her pregnancy.
The first three months of my pregnancy, energy level was at zero. I was fatigued, exhausted, and nauseated all day.
“With every week, my belly got heavier and bigger and running became impossible because I was cramping which meant I had to modify my workouts and weight lifting exercises.”
Adry stuck to healthy foods and gained 20 pounds during her pregnancy, and as difficult as it was at times, she was thrilled to start a new chapter of her life with her son.
When you fall, you get back up
She went back to her regular fitness routine after Amir was born in 2018 and fell in love with life all over again.
Then, last summer, Adry gave birth to her third child, Elliot, and she’s still working on dropping her baby weight, even if it’s a little more challenging this time around.
“I’m focused and proud that I am committed to get back without giving myself a time limit. I want to be happy, healthy, and strong for my boys,” she said.
“Don’t get me wrong, I’m dying to fit back into my size 3 jeans, but I will get there...just like I always have.”
More inspiringtransformations:
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.