ObesityHelp

7/13/04
As of today I am at the same weight I was when I graduated from high school...208! WOW, what a rush! I can't believe how much I've changed, and in only 4 months. I picked up a new outdoor activity, and I am looking to buy my own kayak now. I try to go nearly every weekend!

8/9/04 Holly cow what a rush. Now I am also taking up kickboxing on Tuesday and Thursdays, and scuba diving. I take my first ocean dive this Saturday, and I am scared and excited...I can't believe this is me...oh yeah, and I now weight 200...

10/6/04 As of today I weigh 189 OMG. My highest recorded weight was 291, so I have lost over 100 pounds. My official start weight though is 284, so I guess the real party starts in 5 more pounds. hee hee

2/15/05 I now weight 170. Which is smaller than they calculated me being after surgery. I am 10 pounds away from my personal goal. My brother is getting married this weekend and I was able to go shopping and try on dresses in all the "normal" shops. I am a size 14! I think the last time I saw that was when I was 14! Holy Cow Batman!!!!

3/3/05 My own uncle didn't recognize me at my brother's wedding. The wedding was spectacular. We danced for 5 hours (yep, even me!) I even was the marriage officiate. I got up and spoke in front of 40 people, and I was in 3 inch high heels, and had my picture taken... none of which would have happened without surgery. I've been battling a HUGE depression lately, and I put 5 pounds back on. I'm doing better, but attending every support group I can, and pushing myself to at least walk. This part sucks. I'm still addicted to food, and trying to comfort myself with it. I'm fighting though, which is something I would never have been able to say before surgery.

4/12/05 Okay, I am now officially 1 year post op. OMG! Oddly enough I started loosing weight again. Not a whole lot, but the numbers are moving down again. I guess I'm not all the way done yet. I have been really motivated to workout and eat well. I even got back in the water to dive this past weekend. Only to discover my wet suit is too big now!!!! Still battling the head hunger, but I am winning! I have cut myself down to two planned snacks a day, and no more grazing!!!! Hard work, but the scale is showing that it's working! Whoo Hoo!

8/3/05
Hmm been a bit since I updated. I am still hanging out between 169 and 172 (depends on the day.) I am now training for a full marathon, working way too many hours, scuba diving when I can, and trying to figure out who I am. I took my first belly dancing class last week... got to tell you I LOVED IT!!!! I'm starting to realize that I need to revamp my dreams list... I've made most of them come true, so now it's time to raise the bar... and I have no clue what to even put on the list. Traveling abroad will be one... having kids is in the very near future... It's weird to face the sky being the limit and to actually believe it... but that is the truth. I really have accomplished things I thought were IMPOSSIBLE a year ago. My life is one big WOW moment!

12/3/05
Okay, I am now down to 165... and while I am at goal... I still feel like I could loose another 10 pounds.
In October I completed the Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco... about 50 feet from the finish line I experienced a funny pull in the first three toes on my left foot... the toes pulled back to the arch of my foot and spasamed in place... and refused to release... then I had an incredible sharp pain and I knew I was in trouble. Deb and Audrey were there cheering me on, and knew there was something wrong and tried to help me across the finish line... but the officials kicked them off the course. They told me I could forfit or make in on my own... I walked across that damn line, and there was a wheel chair waiting on the other side. I was immediately taken to the medic tent where I was seen by an orthopedic surgeon... yep... the darn foot had broken... That was October 23rd, and I am still in the cast. It hasn't stopped me much, I've been dancing, sailing, walking, shopping, and living with it.

Today will be an interesting day... today I meet another objective. I have always said God let me get fat so I wouldn't be a stripper. Today I am taking my first ever pole dance class (yes with the cast on.) I am taking my social activity group to a dance studio, where we are having a pole dance party. I have 20 women signed up to give it a shot... I can't wait!!!!

I can't even believe this is me. I am no longer making excuses, and I am living life in every minute. I can't wait to see what's around the next corner.

1/8/2006 Well Happy New Year Ya'all! Time just seems to have escaped me... Next Saturday I turn 40! And I am approaching my 2 year mark rapidly.

This year is shaping up to be another incredible year of change. I have a list of goals for myself, and in the very near future I will be presenting a goal setting seminar.

Yesterday I completed my second pole dance class, and I am sure there are many more where that came from... OMG, I can not believe how good that class can help me to feel about my body... excess skin and all. It's not so much that you walk out thinking "Damn, I'm Hot!" it's more of an appreciation of texture, survival, change, and determination... I leave class feel so powerful about myself and the changes I have made. Don't get me wrong, the food monster is still a challenge... and I get the blues every now and then just like everyone else.... but in this moment... I feel fabulous...

This week Dianne and Heidi told me that I had been nominated as SYSK... I had no clue what that even ment... but now that it is explained to me... I am gratefull, stunned, and tickled to death that these women I admire so much thought enough about me to put my name out there... I feel fortunate to know them, and look forward to many outting with them this year... so... that being said... white water rafting in July anyone????