Page 134 - South Mississippi Living - May, 2021

HEALTHY LIVING
in
ness and in
sick
health
Couple Meets Weight Loss Goals Together
story by Kelsey Sunderman-Foster photos courtesy of Michael and Melinda Parnell
For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health.
These are the traditional wedding vows exchanged in marriage ceremonies and words that have held true for Michael and Melinda Parnell.
Now married for ten years, the couple has been through their fair share of highs and lows, but have continued to tackle every obstacle together. One of their biggest successes? Regaining their health.
“Anyone who has known either of us for any length of time knows that we’ve both struggled with our weight as far back as we can remember,” Melinda said. “I can vividly remember turning down Hershey’s Kisses o ered to me by a teacher in 7th grade, when I was just 12 years old, because I was on a diet.”
In the rst few years of their relationship and marriage, Michael and Melinda each struggled with their weight and tried multiple methods to address the issue. “Michael and I both put a lot of e ort in, contrary to what I’m sure many people believe, but it felt like we just spent a lot of time trying and failing. I had become extremely anti-social and was very unhappy with myself,” recalls Melinda. “My self-esteem was shot, and I found myself being
134 | May 2021
www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living
MICHAEL AND MELINDA PARNELL after their gastric sleeve surgeries.