AimingLow
I am the fourth of 5 children. I am the mother of 3 boys and a girl from ages 22 to 2. I am the grandmother of a 4 year old and another to arrive this fall. I am a friend to many. Many, but myself. Lately, I seem to put everyone before myself. I woke up a few months back and realized at age 43, I needed to start loving myself and taking better care of myself. With that, I made the decision to undergo a transformation.
I set a goal of a new me in 18-24 months. By a new me, I mean healthier in all ways. Being a sole parent of a 2 year old is a challenge and has brought to my attention my lack of energy. I need to be around for my kids. I need to be able to run around with them again and be the best I can be. I want to be happy again when I look into the mirror. I want to stop hiding when the camera comes out. I definitely don't want to pass these weight issues on to my kids.
I was very slender and active up until I graduated from high school. It was after I graduated that I started picking up weight. My future husband was a football player with a big appetitie. For some reason, I thought I could eat like him. The pounds started creeping on and on and on. With the first child, I put on 75 pounds which I blamed on the toxemia. Got pregnant 5 years later and I weighed as much as I did when I gave birth. By the time I had my third pregnancy, many people couldn't even tell I was pregnant. I'm tall and can carry a lot on my frame. For me to lose 15-20 lbs it's barely noticeable. But when you do that 10 times, we all notice!
I've had great successes with diets followed with epic failures. Losing 100 pounds the second time would be enough for most people to realize they had a problem. I tried so many different diets always with the thought that this was THE DIET that was going to save me. Inevitably, I'd fail and beat myself up once again. Excuses? Oh I had every excuse you can imagine. I never really owned up to the fact that I had a problem and needed help.
How is a VSG going to be any different. First of all, I'm holding myself accountable. I've told everyone what I'm doing. For the first time in what seems like forever, I've even been telling people how much I weigh. After their jaws drop and they recover, they all want to tell me how it doesn't show. LOL! Excuse me, I need a wide angle lense to get into pictures! I know exactly what I look like. Second, I need to do this for my health. Being pregnant at 40 really put a strain on my already overweight and struggling body. Since I gave birth, I've had so many health issues at an alarming rate. All can be reversed with a healthy lifestyle. Third, it's all about me. For most of my life, I've done for others. Now I'm doing for me. I deserve to be happy and healthy.
I have a wonderful support group in my family and friends. I know there will be bumps along the path, but I am looking forward to a new beginning. With that, I've set realistic goals and "amazing" goals for fun. In any case, it's time. And that is my story...
