Wow, so it was exactly one year ago that I got up in the morning and decided that I was sick and tired of:
- Getting winded walking up stairs
- Sitting at a desk all the time because I had no energy to move
- Watching my knees get more swollen and sore and worrying about more surgery
- Not fitting in movie seats, boat seats, bus seats....
- Spending too much time in the morning trying to find something to wear that didn't look awful/tight
- Waking up exhausted
- Snoring!
- Having no flexibility
- Being too self conscious to take yoga or do anything that required close fitting clothes
- Never swimming (see above)
- Worrying about my blood pressure
- Hating mirrors, cameras, windows....
- Being tired all the time
- Feeling a lot older than 46
I got up that morning and decided I was ready to make a change, not for anyone else and not for vanity but for my own quality of life. I knew that meant a change forever not just until I reached goal. I'd made that mistake before. So I googled weight loss and started reading. I found South Beach right away and knew it was a way of life that would fit my food priorities - whole foods, structure with flexibility, and a focus on vegetables all fit into my food choices. The smart carb focus fit into the diabetic conscious cooking already happening in our house. I just stopped adding mashed potatoes and pasta to everything!
I never looked back and I never second guessed myself on this one. It fit from day one (though I had quite a case of SB flu!). I didn't go off plan, not even when I was cutting bushels of apples during Phase 1 or visiting family for the holidays in early Phase 2. It was part of me and my choices immediately.
I don't know why this time was different. Maybe because I'm older and I can see where I will be if I don't make better choices now. Maybe because my knees were grumbling and fear of surgery pushed me through the door. Maybe I just finally made a choice for me and not to make anyone else happy. For the first time in my life I made a choice that was utterly selfish and I have made the decisions that are right for me. I don't ask permission and I don't apologize because I don't need to. Either people understand that this is a life and death issue and I'm just doing what I need to, or they don't. Not my problem.
So here I am, 78 lbs lighter than I as a year ago, and 91 lbs lighter than the year I had my first knee surgery. Today I can and do walk up stairs instead of taking elevators and I don't get winded. I can walk anywhere, keep up with almost anyone without pain most days. I have a new bike and I love riding it! I've got a closet full of small tops and size 6 (and a few 4) pants. I feel 20 years younger. I even almost kept up with my very physically fit 27 year old daughter this summer! It's the best thing I ever did for myself and it is absolutely worth it. I feel like I've been given my life back, the one I was supposed to have before all that fat slowed me down.
And here's the thing - if I can do it anyone can. really. I've been fat since I was 7, that's a mighty long time to develop bad habits. But I did change my life, completely. I cant even begin to thank the Chicks around here enough. Without all of you there were times I might have given up but your encouragement, support, and the occasional "just do it!" got me through the times I doubted myself. So this is my very long winded way of saying thanks
One whole year - really?!
Anyway, you are my hero and thanks for sharing the inspiration.
