Fitness influencer Lexi Reed, 34, is embracing body confidence after her long battle with the rare disease calciphylaxis and an extraordinary 300-pound weight loss.
In a recent Instagram post titled “Scars, Skin, Self Love & Swimsuits,” Reed reflected on her struggles, including years when she avoided swimming because of painful wounds from her illness or the insecurities she felt over her size and loose skin.
“I’ll never forget crying in my husband’s car one summer because I couldn’t swim anymore while fighting calciphylaxis, which left me with over 30 open wounds,” she wrote. “And I’ll never forget finally losing 300 pounds, only to be told by a family member to cover up my legs because of my excess skin.”
Now in remission, Reed is reclaiming her joy. In a video, she confidently models a blue one-piece swimsuit, kissing her arm and celebrating her progress.
“This summer I’m taking my power back,” she captioned. “I refuse to hide my body, take it for granted, or stop wearing swimsuits. Skin is just skin — what matters is loving yourself and making memories.”
Reed, who once weighed 485 pounds, has been open about her journey through weight loss, illness, and recovery. After battling severe kidney failure and enduring 59 weeks of treatment, she is grateful to be living without infusions for more than a year.
She now encourages others to embrace body positivity no matter their shape or scars: “All bodies are beach bodies.”
