Mother, 40, who had to settle for one of the few wedding dresses she could get in a size 24 loses 134lbs to ‘remarry’ her husband in the gown of her dreams on their 20th anniversary
- Christina Jordan, 40, Arizona, says her 2001 wedding was the best day of her life
- But she couldn’t wear her dream dress as her 271lbs frame limited her choices
- Now, after losing 134lbs, she remarried her husband, wearing her perfect gown
- She shared weight loss tips, including working out and eating fresh healthy food
A woman who tied the knot with her husband for the second time after dropping 134lbs to fit into her dream wedding dress says working out and ‘healthy fresh food’ helped her shed the pounds.
Mother-of-three Christina Jordan, 40, from Queen Creek, Arizona, says her wedding day back in March 2001 was the best day of her life, because she got to marry the man of her dreams, Derek, now 41.
But the now-certified nutritionist said her obese 271lbs frame made her around 100lbs heavier than her groom, and meant she had to opt for a gown she could fit into, which was ‘not her style’, but one of the only options in a size 24.
Christina struggled with her weight throughout her life and would drink soda for breakfast and throughout the day, before eating fast food for dinner and finishing with a milkshake and more fried for dessert.
Fast forward 20 years, and Christina looks unrecognizable after dropping 134lbs and 10 dress sizes following a complete overhaul of her diet and exercise regime, swapping fast foood for organic salads, smoothies and fish or lean meat.
Christina Jordan, 40, from Arizona (pictured here on her second wedding day, with husband Derek, 41) was able to wear her dream wedding dress after reaching her goal weight of 137lbs
Christina Jordan, 40, a certified nutritionist and author from Arizona, remarried her husband after losing 134lbs (pictured here on her wedding day in 2001, before losing weight)
Christina, pictured after losing weight, has credited major lifestyle changes for the transformation, including exercise and eating ‘fresh, healthy’ food
The couple renewed their vows on their 20th wedding anniversary in March 2021, with Christina feeling ‘incredible’ at 137lbs and wearing the size 4 wedding dress of her dreams.
Christina, who is also an author said: ‘When Derek and I married at 18 and 19-years- old, I was more than 100lbs heavier than him.
‘He didn’t care. The love and bond we shared together, the deep friendship we had, made the outer appearance not matter.
‘The dress I wore was a size 24. While I enjoyed my wedding day, my dress was not exactly the style I had dreamed of.
Unrecognizable: the bride (pictured here on her second wedding day) looks totally different after dropping an enormous 10 dress sizes
Dream dress: according to Christina, when she originally wed Derek back in 2001, she had to opt for one of the only gowns that fit her. The second time (pictured), she was able to choose something that was more her style
Husband Derek (pictured, right) always instilled in Christina that ‘she was beautiful and that he would always love her’, and that she was ‘worthy to be loved’
‘Bridal dresses were limited in styles at my size. I ultimately chose a dress based on size, rather than my personal style.
‘In March last year, we celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary.
‘We decided we wanted to do something very special and renew our wedding vows and celebrate with a second honeymoon.
Christina revealed that she struggled with her weight since she was a child, and says she was ‘tormented and bullied’ because of her size
‘For our vow renewal, I had a gorgeous dress fashioned by a good friend of mine who designs custom wedding gowns.
‘I felt incredible in my new wedding dress. Absolutely amazing, sexy, powerful and strong.’
As a result of Derek’s love and support, Christina said she gained the confidence to ‘pursue her dreams of losing weight and getting healthy’
Christina, who is mother to her and business partner Derek’s three boys Zander, 18, Axton, 15, and Collin, 11, said she has struggled with her weight ever since she was a child.
As an ‘extremely overweight’ teenager, she recalls that she was often bullied for her size throughout school, while she also experienced embarrassing moments later in life due to her obesity.
She explained: ‘I used to be tormented and bullied for my size.
‘There were times where people would make fun of me and it used to really hurt my self-esteem.
‘It wasn’t until I met my best friend, who happened to now be my husband, who helped me say that I was beautiful and worthy to be loved.
‘One time at Disneyland, we had just got on the Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom Ride.
‘The young man working there asked me to get off the rollercoaster. I will never forget the words he spoke.
‘He said, ‘Ma’am, I’m so sorry but you’ll have to exit the ride. You’re too big to fit the safety belt requirements.’
‘The entire cart of people all heard and stared at me, snickering amongst themselves.
‘The people waiting on the sidelines also heard and watched as I was forced off the ride.
Christina, pictured here with husband Derek, says their relationship has provided a deep, meaningful love that helped her transform herself
Following her own weight loss success, Christina has written a book titled ‘Half My Size’ about her struggles and victory over her weight. She hopes it will help others
‘I bolted from it as fast as I could and ran down the hallway to the exit with tears of frustration and embarrassment streaming down my face.’
Christina said her confidence skyrocketed after meeting her husband, who instilled in her that she was beautiful and that he would always love her, no matter her size.
The mum added that Derek’s unwavering admiration and support gave her the confidence the pursue her dreams of losing weight and getting healthy.
Christina made huge lifestyle changes to help her slim down – including starting regular work outs and eating plenty of healthy, fresh food – which helped her achieve her goal weight of 137lbs.
Christina’s diet before
Breakfast: Soda
Mid-morning Snack: Soda
Lunch: 100 calorie snack bag
Afternoon snack: Soda
Dinner: Large fries, cheeseburger, pizza or anything fast food
Dessert: Large cookies and cream milkshake and large fries
Christina’s diet now
Breakfast: Tropical smoothie
Mid-morning snack: Eggs and berries
Lunch: Salad with fish or shrimp
Afternoon snack: Watermelon Lemonade made
Dinner: Fish or venison with veg and salad
Dessert: Herbal teas
Among the changes, she switched out soda for water, or homemade watermelon lemonade.
Christina also ditched her fast food habit, replacing burgers and fries with salads, vegetables, and lean protein.
She said: ‘My husband has always been the most amazing and incredible man and person in my life.
He has always encouraged me and loved me throughout our entire half of a lifetime together.
‘Every single day since the moment I met him, Derek has told me that I am beautiful.
‘It is this kind of true, deep and meaningful love that helps someone transform.
‘We all need a Derek in our lives, someone who will encourage us, cheer for us and love us no matter what we look like.
‘I truly believe that I would not be the person I am today if he would not have supported me through this journey.’
Christina is now helping others pursue their dreams of becoming the best versions of themselves by imparting her knowledge as a board-certified master nutritionist.
She has also written a book about her struggles and victory over her weight, titled ‘Half My Size’.
She added: ‘Now that I’ve lost weight, I feel absolutely amazing and like a brand-new person.
‘I am not the same woman I was before I started this journey. I’m stronger, wiser, and more confident.
‘It won’t be easy, but it will be worth it. If I can do this, then you can too.’
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