There comes a time in every ones weight loss journey where they have to just sit down and look at where they have come from, where they are and where they want to go. Well I have been meaning to have one of these moments. My friend Jen had warned me that this day would come. She was right.....my friend Dan also has had one of these moments recently. Now it is my turn to look at the past, present and future. Some of this is ugly and scary but we will do it together!
Past. I started this journey about 2 years ago when my weight hit 324 pounds. My new primary Dr. Nathan Walker at Christie Clinic agreed that it was time for ME to take control of my life. One of the tools he suggested was checking out the Lap Band surgery. I met with Sidney Rohrscheibe at IL Bariatric and he felt I was a good candidate. I began the journey of getting the surgical pre approval and everything set up. I met all the requirements and then as you may recall I had that dreaded ankle injury that ended in surgery. Once that was behind me I was back on my path. On Oct 19th 2010 I had my Lab Band procedure performed. During that first year I had some major transformations occur. I lost 100 pounds within the first year. I changed so much what I allowed myself to eat and drink and my band seem to take charge of other things that it did not think I needed to eat. The first year was was wonderful. I joined a gym, felt very confident and knew that this was my new life.
Current.....Well I feel like I have had a few set backs. I can make many excuses and some are more valid than others. We had the holidays, I am a very busy mom, work has me stressed out beyond words, and well frankly I sort of feel off the high! My band has been giving me some fits lately and does not want to eat some things so then I get into the bad habit of eating some of the same things and sometimes there are not the best choices. I seem to forget that I am important and without me being healthy my kids do not get to be driven everywhere and offered all the things they are, so with that said I need to make a renewed promise to make sure I take my time to go workout, even if it does not work into their plans. I am headed to see my doctor on Thursday in hopes to get a kick in the butt to start getting back on track. Don't get me wrong....I have not fallen off the track....I just am sort of on the spare rail just chillin and drinking a shake.
Future!!! Well this is the most important part....I am human....I am alive....I can get back on the right track. So I have a renewed outlook on some things. Like I said hopefully I can get a little kick in the butt or more importantly a hug of reassurance that I have come this far I can meet all of my goals. I went and worked out today and it felt good. I think that if I start working out again that will defiantly help my mood and my stress so that is a priority. Kenna and I are still planning to do a 5K this spring so that will be a first for me. The future is bright. Me deciding to change my life for the good has opened up so many interesting doors. I still hear from people, I inspire them. That is great to know, especially since I am living proof that you can fall down and get back up and show the world what you are made of. Another thing that this lifestyle change has brought me is the opportunity to be a voice to a larger audience. I am still writing articles for Chambana moms and over the weekend the kids and I were interviewed by a U of I Grad student about kids, nutrition, and obesity. It was very neat! I think something that I have not taken time to do and it is something that I think it it time to get back to the basics is: I need to document my weight, what I am eating, what exercise I am getting and most importantly, I need to start blogging again....that is really how I can talk out my feelings and such. You just get the opportunity to know what is going on in my head! :)
I do appreciate all of you and your support and encouragement. I hope you are doing well. Spring is upon us, I know it seem hard to believe after having ice and snow on my van this morning but Spring is coming! So get outside, go for a walk, a bike ride, working in the garden, enjoy your life. As we are out and about we may just loose a few pounds and gain alot of memories! Take care and blessing to you!
