This Amazing Journey I am On

This amazing journey I am on   I have been totally unhappy over the past few years with regards to my struggle with my weight. It’s frustrated me to no end. I’d watch every morsel I ate, weighed things, took pills – some safe, most not – and knew I was addicted to not only food, but other “comfort” items. 

It’s a vicious cycle and after spending quite a few hours in contemplation over this cycle and analyzing solutions, I reached a life-altering decision. It wasn’t an easy decision to come to and I knew it would be a hard journey to take, but somewhere within me I found the strength to take the first few steps.   

First step – I had to quit smoking. I knew this nasty filthy habit was not good for me, expensive and frankly gross. Easy to say “quit”, very hard to just get it done. So, with the help of my wonderful Physicians Assistant and an amazing medication called Chantix I began phase 1 of my transformation. On January 23^rd I had my first day of NO SMOKING! I only took ½ the medication recommended (it made me feel funny) and after 28 days I gave it up all together and to this day remain smoke-free. Yay Me!!!!! I feel better, I don’t stink and I’m saving a ton of money!   

Next step was to start the Gastric Bypass program at Shasta Regional Medical Center. One of the requirements of this program was to be totally caffeine free after surgery. Ok, that’s another toughie. As many of you know, I have been totally addicted to Diet Pepsi for many years. Not only is that stuff not good for you, it’ll actually cause you to gain weight. Wow, I knew that, but just couldn’t get un-hooked from the stuff and remain un-hooked. I came up with a plan – and it worked! I have been caffeine free for 46 days and counting. I sleep better, I wake up refreshed and life is good!  

On September 8, 2008 I took the biggest step of my goal to get my weight under control. I had Roux-en-y Gastric Bypass. This surgery drastically altered the size of my stomach and intestines. I can now eat only about 2 ounces or ¼ cup of food at a time (PROTEIN FIRST!) and will eventually, when I hit maintenance, be up to ¾ cup. Someday.   

I am now exercising daily. I go to the gym and walk the treadmill and listen to books on tape (affordable now that I’m not spending $10 on smokes and diet pepsi). I ride the long bike ride to nowhere. I lift weights. I may not get rid of the batwings, but heck the muscles underneath are going to be awesome and I’ll have amazing arms once I get the skin removed. Someday. Look, another goal!  

For now, I meticulously take my vitamins morning and night. I follow the protocol outlined by my wonderful nutritionist who answers my silly questions about food with a smile on her face. The people in this program are dedicated to helping me succeed at getting to a healthy weight. I am committed to getting to a healthy weight to save my knees, save my hips, to be able to crawl around on the floor someday with my grandkids. I want to go diving next summer with my husband and explore the world that, up until now, has been off limits to me because of my weight.   

Already, with 54 pounds lost after 46 days, I find myself being able to move better, I enjoy life better, I sleep better, I am happier. I am no longer taking Diabetes medication.  My blood pressure is normal.  My cholesterol is perfect.  My sleep apnea is gone.  I no longer snore so loud my hubby has to sleep in the other room.  Food does not control my life anymore, but allows me to live a better more fulfilling life. I am still addicted to all three of the items listed above – smoking, diet pepsi and food. However, I choose to not allow these items to run my life!  I am enjoying life. 

I love my husband for now and forever. He has given me the support and the encouragement to get this all done. Without him, I might just still be thinking about it. He gave me a boot in the butt and dropped that one line that got me thinking. “Just imagine what you could do if you lost the weight”. To my best friend……….thank you for believing in me and loving me enough to encourage me to do this! I love you.

I would just like to say, WOW, you are an ispiration. I wish I was on your path right now. I am only in the VERY VERY begininng stages of even getting a referal to see a surgeon. But you are THERE.  I only wish in a short amount of time I can say the same things you are saying and stand in the same shoes you are in.  Thank you for your inspirational post !!

Thank you.  Now that you've begun the steps, you've started your own journey.  It's amazing.  The day after surgery I thought........."what the hell have I done?"  Then I remembered why, and grabbed life by the horns and began the ride!  It's awsome.  This board is awsome!  Ask any question and you'll get the answers needed.  Need a kick in the butt?  You'll get that here too!  Enjoy!

Mo, You are really working that tool. But more than that Congratulations on quiting smoking!!! I quit 4 1/2 years ago and never looked back. And we smell sooo much better too.

HUGS
JOY

Congratulations on your fabulous journey! 

Our library has lots of books on tape, check out yours. :-)

We ARE the lucky ones.  We took steps to make our lives better and it's working!

Keep up the good work.
---jan---