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| | From:  Laurel042 (Original Message) | Sent: 6/10/2005 11:25 PM |
Wow!! I am not quite sure where to begin??? This weight loss journey has been just that for me....a journey!!! It has had many ups and downs and it has been about more than just losing weight. It has been a complete lifestyle change for me in more ways than one way.
I began this journey on January 5th, 2005 after watching Dr. Phil's Weight Loss Challenge. I weighed 248 lbs at that time, my highest weight ever. The first thing I did was pick up a copy of Dr. Phil's book, "The Ultimate Weight Solution: The 7 Keys to Weight Loss Freedom." It turned out to be the best decision I ever made. I thought it would be just a book, one that I would never read! But I am glad to say that I was wrong! From the moment I picked up that book I was hooked. A lot of what he had to say were things that I already knew but I just needed that extra kick in the butt to get me moving but the book went deeper than that! It helped me realize why I had a weight problem in the first place. As Oprah said on one of her shows, "I was not just a woman with weight issues...I was a woman who had issues and I was covering them up with my weight."
I have always been a person who worried about image. No matter what went wrong in my life I would keep it to myself. I wanted people to think I was living the perfect life. I never wanted to upset anybody so if somebody said something that bothered me I would not say anything. I held everything inside. I blamed my weight on my genes! I said I was just meant to be overweight! I had excuses for everything!!
Today I can finally admit that I was overweight because I chose to be. I ate all the wrong foods, I never exercised and I covered up my problems by eating. I can also admit that I don't have the perfect job, I don't have the perfect marriage, no my kids are not perfect and I am not the perfect wife and mom. My teenage children bring such love and joy to my life but sometimes they do things that I don't like but that is okay and I am able to deal with it! It does not mean that I am a failure as a mom. It is okay to share my problems with others because nobody's children are perfect.
My husband and I have had many problems in our marriage over the 20 years we have been together but I covered them up with food. I wanted that perfect marriage and the happily ever after but it wasn't always that way and my health and weight suffered because of it. Today I can admit that my husband and I need to work on this marriage if we want to stay together but if it doesn't work out then it is okay to go our separate ways. It doesn't mean that I am a failure.
At work I am now able to speak up if somebody does something that upsets me instead of carrying that around inside. I am finally getting some confidence. Nobody's life is perfect and neither is mine! To actually tell this to family and friends feels so good for me and I am feeling better physically and emotionally because of it!
As soon as I came to terms with all of this the weight began to come off! I wanted to lose this weight for me!!!! I have finally realized that my life matters too! I deserve to be happy and healthy. I started making healthy food choices, began walking 7 days a week, drank plenty of water and got rid of all those bad eating habits.
Today I weigh 164 lbs and I am just 14 lbs from my goal weight. My daughter graduates from high school in two weeks and instead of wearing a size 24 dress to her graduation I will be wearing a size 12.
I seen a before picture of me that was taken Christmas 2004 and I cried for that person that I had allowed myself to become. Today I am crying tears of joy because I am finally taking the steps needed to make me happy and healthy because I am worth it!!
My favorite quote is, "If you can dream it, you can do it." Well on January 5th I had a dream and today I am living that dream! I am doing it!!!!
Thanks to all of you wonderful weight loss buddies and all of your great postings! I could never have done it without all of your support and motivation! You are all my angels! I know I can count on you all to help me get these last couple of pounds off and to help me maintain my goal weight! You are the best and you all have a special place in my heart!! |
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 I bought that book a year ago.But have never read it.After reading your post.I think I will read it in the morning. |
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Wow, Laurel, I love your story! And I think I will be picking Dr Phil's book tommorrow. So glad I found this group, and this is my very first post in it! yay! may I be on way for real this time to change my life.  |
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Laurel your story sounds alot like mine. I was about 10 lbs away from being 200. I was too letting food be my friend. I chose to get to that weight. I use to be a very small person until I became depressed. I was depressed about my life, the mother I was, the wife i was, with my marriage, and everything else in my life. I reallized that i was going no where. I was at a point that no one else would like me or that I never met anyones requirements of me (family and friends). I still dealth with my weight issue. I allowed others to belittle me and tell me things that hurt. I still carry those pains. I started working toward my career and education. I got the career I wanted, got my GED and still had this weight issue, still not happy. I went through two different jobs until i came to my third job. There some people pushed me too far and used me to much, I had it. I realized that I have no one else to help me, not even my own family, but i myself. So that is what i did. I got started on a new me. I now walk an average of 7 miles a day, I drink alot of water, do 20 stomach crunches and eat right. I went from 195 to 175. I am working toward a better and healthier me. And with no thanks to my family or friends. I am doing for myself finally. I truly relate to your story and am too working towards a new me. Keep up the great work.  You are the reward.  |
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