One year WLS anniversary
One year ago today, I went into surgery at St. Mark's Hospital.
I was just a shade under 400 pounds, "morbidly obese" (meaning I could die any time, and my doc had told me that meant any time). I'd also been warned I was drifting into Type II diabetes. I couldn't walk a quarter-mile due to foot, ankle, knee and back pain.
I was, literally, dying.
A year later, I've lost 164 pounds. I easily walk 3-4 miles, four to five times a week. I recently climbed a steep mountain on Antelope Island that would've have been impossible to even begin to challenge a year ago. My walks with Callie, our border collie, end only for two reasons: she is worn out, or time restraints.
My blood pressure was 104/70 on Monday, when my doctor cut my blood pressure meds in half. Cholesterol levels are well within normal, as are blood sugar levels; the knee, foot and back pain -- gone.
I reached my surgeon's weight-loss goal a month ago; my own goal is another 30 pounds, give or take.
But I know the battle to stay healthy will be one that be waged for the rest of my lifetime. I have a year-long foundation of right eating, exercise and determination established. I am blessed.
It all began a year ago, when I finally admitted it had all gotten far beyond my ability to address -- that I needed help and serious, no critical intervention.
Where am I today? I think John Newton said it best:
"I am not what I ought to be,
I am not what I want to be,
I am not what I hope to be . . .
but still I am not what I once used to be,
and by the grace of God
I am what I am."
I was just a shade under 400 pounds, "morbidly obese" (meaning I could die any time, and my doc had told me that meant any time). I'd also been warned I was drifting into Type II diabetes. I couldn't walk a quarter-mile due to foot, ankle, knee and back pain.
I was, literally, dying.
A year later, I've lost 164 pounds. I easily walk 3-4 miles, four to five times a week. I recently climbed a steep mountain on Antelope Island that would've have been impossible to even begin to challenge a year ago. My walks with Callie, our border collie, end only for two reasons: she is worn out, or time restraints.
My blood pressure was 104/70 on Monday, when my doctor cut my blood pressure meds in half. Cholesterol levels are well within normal, as are blood sugar levels; the knee, foot and back pain -- gone.
I reached my surgeon's weight-loss goal a month ago; my own goal is another 30 pounds, give or take.
But I know the battle to stay healthy will be one that be waged for the rest of my lifetime. I have a year-long foundation of right eating, exercise and determination established. I am blessed.
It all began a year ago, when I finally admitted it had all gotten far beyond my ability to address -- that I needed help and serious, no critical intervention.
Where am I today? I think John Newton said it best:
"I am not what I ought to be,
I am not what I want to be,
I am not what I hope to be . . .
but still I am not what I once used to be,
and by the grace of God
I am what I am."
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