Laureen S.
Been a Long Time and So Many Challenges. . .
Apr 30, 2009
I have not written in my journey section in a very long time. Well in this time I've faced many challenges and some food demons have come out to haunt me, but I won't let them take over my being.The first challenge came in February when I had to leave a Barix support group meeting because I got a call that Dillinger was not himself, I rushed home and into action and a "tummy tuck" later (what it cost me), Dillinger is still with me. Those days were very stressful and sad and I made it through without turning to my old friend, food. Well a week and a half after Dillinger came home from UofPenn I lost my job of the past 13 years. Being home has been both a blessing and a challenge, the routine of work was wonderful in keeping to my food plan, I packed, took my vitamins, drank my water and went to the gym. . . now I cannot afford a gym membership, good thing there are painting projects as the house project that's been going on since October is coming to an end, so there is lots of physical activities to be done, but being so close to the refrigerator has been the biggest challenge and/or running and not eating properly. I am learning to balance myself, making sure I drink at least 1/3 of my water intake before having a cup of coffee in the mornings, to eat breakfast by 9, a light snack if I truly feel hungry by 11:30 and then lunch by 1:30, dinner by 5:30, fruit and yogurt and occasionally one of those yummy protein bars are my snacks these days, I did face the temptation of the "reduced fat" kettle chips and had to banish them from my hands and what I can say is that I find my pouch still does it's part, if I do mine as the 4 lbs. my scale moved upwards has now gone bye-bye and I intend for it to stay that way as I still have 8 lbs. to my personal goal of 150 lbs. which I truly hope to meet by summer's end.
I have set goals and achieved many, but what has happened is I now have a new relationship with food, though the ghosts of yesterday's habits continue to haunt from time to time and I accept that this will be a lifelong journey, that some days will be better than others, but so long as I stay the course and connected in some way with my friends who are on the same journey, I can maintain where I am today.
I am grateful for the life I now have, I can climb ladders, lift heavy bags of garbage, walk on the sand at the beach and not feel as though I am in quicksand, get on my knees in the dirt and plant something, instead of pointing where I want it planted and having someone else do it. I am truly living my life and while I am still seeking a job, I also believe that being a thinner person will help me there too! I have energy that is incredible, I sleep like a baby and encourage anyone thinking of taking this journey to consider that it is a lifelong commitment to taking charge of your health with a tool that your surgeon creates out of your own body, what and how you use that tool is going to get you where you want to be, but the tool without the change in mindset will not take you far enough. I am "successing" and you can too!
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About Me
Maple Shade, NJ
Location
29.3
BMI
Surgery
10/16/2007
Surgery Date
Jan 09, 2006
Member Since
