In December of 2003 I visited my doctor for a routine check up, and that ever dreaded once a year "icky" that we women must endure. I was healthy, my cholesterol was a little high, but nothing to be concerned about. However, my weight was out of control.
That day, I tipped the scales at 250. My doctor had a very frank conversation with me that literally scared me into health, eventually. You see, I was born with over-rotated hips. Which means that my ball and socket joint doesn't fit together right. The extra weight that I was carrying around was too much for my hips. It hurt to sit, friends. To stand, to walk, and no WAY could I run. My doctor told me that I had to lose 100 lbs. YIKES! If I didn't, I would probably be in a wheelchair in 15 years. Friends, I cannot do my job from a wheelchair. I can't do my LIFE from a wheelchair! So, I went home, moped around for several months and gained another 5 pounds! DOUBLE YIKES!
So I started my journey......again. Mind you, I KNEW I had to lose the weight before my doctor told me. In fact, I was a weight-loss expert. I tried them all. Slim-fast, Atkins, Sugar-Busters, Carb Addicts, pills, herbs, tea...........the list goes on. You know the rest of that story: had some minimal success, quit the plan and gained it all back, and then some more. This time, however, there was one distinct difference.......my head. It clicked this time.
I found that I couldn't change everything at once: diet AND exercise. So, I got my eating under control first. I began logging in all of my food intake. I dicovered that I was eating 5000 calories per day. TRIPLE YIKES! With the help of my doctor I cut back my intake to 1200-1300 calories a day. Yes, I was hungry.......CONSTANTLY! But, after a while, my body adjusted and now I don't get hungry during the day. When I felt confident in my eating pattern, I added exercise. Only 20 minutes a day at first, and all cardio. I had to break it up into 2 ten minute sessions because I was sooooo out of shape. As I became physically stronger I added toning exercises. I now spend 30 minutes on weight training and 30 minutes on cardio 4-5 days a week. My cardio is the DREADmill (no, that's NOT mispelled), and I enjoy jogging now, something I NEVER thought I'd be able to do with my hips!
Well, it's been just over a year and I've dropped 60 lbs. YAY! Not a speed record, for sure, but I'm not in a race, I'm on a journey. I've had many many pitfalls, I've stumbled and even fell off the "wagon", so to speak. But I'm determined NOT to go back to the heavier me. I've got 40 lbs to go, and I think I'll do it.
My biggest accomplishment: Not having to shop in the Women's Department anymore. I cried the first time I tried on an XL in the Misses Department. That is a feeling I'll never forget!
I wish you all luck on this quest. You'll discover a new you underneath. And you WILL change, but for the better.
Be healthy!
Nic
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