Lexi Reed lost almost 90 pounds. since March, a milestone she says she achieved “by fighting for survival.”
The influencer’s fitness journey — which began in 2016 at 485 lbs. — was derailed after a 59-week battle with calciphylaxis that landed her in the hospital and left her covered in scars.
But now, Reed, 32, says, “the comeback always outweighs the setback.”
In a video posted to Instagram on Tuesday, Reed shared that her final weight for 2023 was 196 lbs. — almost 90 lbs. a loss from her March starting weight of 286 lbs.
“Calciphylaxis took so much from me and when you’ve lost so much, it makes you fight harder than ever before,” Reed wrote.
“This was personal for me after everything I’ve been through. This was a fight for survival and a refusal to be another victim of a disease that stopped no one in its tracks.”
Calciphylaxis is a rare and serious condition in which calcium builds up in blood vessels and blocks blood flow to the skin, according to the Cleveland Clinic. This can lead to open wounds and potentially fatal infections.
For Reed, the disease required a series of painful surgeries to remove damaged tissue so her wounds could heal.
Lexi Reed says she’s ‘grateful’ for every scar: ‘I see war wounds’
And while she is in remission, she has admitted in the past that she fears its return. “Honestly, I’m very terrified that my calciphylaxis will come back like it has for others with my disease, but I refuse to let that fear control me or waste days/time until I feel well again,” Reed said. “You just have to keep the faith and take it day by day.”
And as Reed shared on Instagram, “I didn’t want to be a victim of my disease anymore — so this year, when I finally felt in control again, I refused to let it stop me and fought to get here. – start today!”
It was the second milestone Reed hit at the end of the year, and the fitness influencer dropped below 200 lbs. on Christmas.
Lexi Reed wears a pink gym top for the first time: ‘At 485 lbs. All I wanted to do was wear black’
“I have some news!” she said as she vowed not to cry. “Yesterday I was in four Christmas centers. I worked out all year and today for Christmas, for me, I’m 199.4 lbs. I’m back in ONEderland! That means I lost 86.8 lbs. since March. This means that today for Christmas I am giving myself my health, I am giving myself my future, I am giving myself a better life.”
Reed’s husband Danny shared his support, commenting: “You’ve fought one hell of a battle baby and you’re so much stronger than calciphylaxis. 2024 will be your best year yet. I love you and look forward to all our shared goals.”
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education