Sharon Jones

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It is crazy to think that my surgery date, May 16, 2001, was my 28th birthday, and in many aspects, a new birth.  This coming year, 2018, will be 17 years since my surgery and the year I turn 45 years old.  It has become more of a comitment to overall health rather than just weightloss and looks as the years go by.  I do struggle with anemia and definitly need to commit to consistently taking my iron and vitamin D, otherwise no major complications still to date.  So that is my goal for 2018, get back to goal weight, take my iron and vitamin D, keep up with my exercise and healthier food choices and a committment to me. 

It's weird when I actually think about it but 15 years ago, I made a decision and took a step to change my life. My babies were just babies then and now they are adults. Without that choice, would I be here today to see all I've been able to see? It's still not easy. I have my ups and downs but never anywhere near where I started. I sometimes wish this was not my struggle but then I realize it could be worse. I am grateful and thankful for the opportunities my surgery has provided. No regrets.

So, I made a commitment to myself back at the end of June and started making myself make time to work out.  I have been going to the gym 5 days a week, M-F ever since.  Started out slow, worked on the treadmill, the bike and started playing around with the elliptical machine.  I realized one day that I burned more calories on that machine then any other or any combination and started doing that machine only.  I started with 10 minutes, then 20, then 30 and now I am doing 65 minutes, or more, every time I use it - the result - distance Miles 586.0/duration Hours 120:52:00/Calories burned 85,478/Workouts completed 122.  I have burned more that 85 thousand calories - holy cow As a result, I am down just just about 60 lbs and 5 lbs away from my original post-surgery lowest weight, which brings me back down to exactly weighing half of what I did when I went in for surgery.  That has always been my goal and is always where I try to stay or go back to if I start to creep back up.  I can't believe I let 60 lbs creep back up but I did and it happens - thank goodness I believed enough in myself to get back on the wagon and go for it.  This tool is amazing and the journey, never without twists and turns.  It is definitely not a piece of cake.  It is a lifetime of hard work and determination but the result is guaranteed to be success.

It is funny how some people think, prior to this surgery, that it will be the final cure all.  I have found over the years that this is definitely not the case.  This is a life long commitment just like any other lifestyle change.  When you slack off and don't follow the "rules", the weight can and will creep back on.  The good news is, after the surgery, you have a tool that you can use again and again. We are all human and we all make mistakes.  The key is, catch it and do something about it BEFORE it becomes out of hand again.  Lets face it, it has become out of hand for all of us who have had surgery or we would not have had surgery.  When you start to lose focus, which happens as the years go by, the main factor is to confront it, don't deny it, don't be ashamed.  Admit it, take control again and do what you know you need to do to get it under control. Pull out those old guidelines, focus on your protein, don't graze and get your butt moving.  Sometimes when I am dreading the gym, I think to myself, 12 years ago, I said I would give anything to be where I am today, and today I am able to go to the gym, so why would I not go.  I made a promise to myself and have to keep it!!

Man oh man does time fly.  Still walking and working.  Joined the gym last week, which has been great.  I am feeling much more motivated now.  It is great to see people working out and just doing it.  I realized that you can't beat yourself up for falling off - it happens.  They key is what you do with it.  The longer you do it - the longer you are down. Instead, get up - dust off - come up with a plan and DO IT!!!!!  I now I am back on track now!!!!!

Yes I am.  Still walking that is :)  All 5 days last week (M-F) and each weekday so far this week with two more to go.  My husband joined me this week, so it has now turned into a team effort!!!!

Another day....another 3 miles walked.  I am tired today.  I tried to talk myself out of it but talked myself into it instead. It is funny how you can not want to do it but man, when your done, it really does feel soooo good.  Way to go, good job, high five - LOL

So the time has come to get back on track.  Starting back with the better eating choices and my exercise.  Walk, walk, walk.  Making some time for myself.  I have walked three miles each day this week so far.  I am pretty proud of myself.  It is tough to get started but gets easier as you go along.