[mountain walker]

I am not sure how to categorise this but I really wanted to share the way my life has changed in recent times and offer hope to anybody that may feel stuck in ANY kind of rut.
Up until May 2011 I had a very stressful career as a Physiotherapist, managing a team of 30 and acting as a buffer zone between upper management and the workforce. I spent most of my time over 24 stone, eating rubbish and suffering from terrible bouts of depression. I was a single parent too.
Fast forward to Sept 2012. Having FINALLY being diagnosed as bipolar and on mood stabilising medication my mental health is much better.
I have a wonderful loving husband, I have lost 75lbs and I have started working as a volunteer in my son's junior school with a view to training as a Learning Support Assistant. I spent my second morning at school today and I absolutely loved it. The teacher I was with actually told me I should train as a teacher.
I won't go into the whys and wherefores as it isn't my point.
Ladies and gents.....(within reason) you can change ANYTHING in your life.
Sorry I just needed to share!

[QueenOfSwords]

That's a fantastic achievement and a really helpful story, thanks - it's great to hear how you made things turn around as I'm a bit down today because I am struggling AGAIN to stick to a plan (I've worked for about 3-4 weeks to lose 8lbs, and then put it all back on in a week! I'm so GRRR about it that I'm tempted to try a VLCD like LighterLife, even though I've been there, done it, and regained.

Please, o wise guru, tell me how you managed to be so consistent in your weight loss! Do you think that getting your mental health sorted first was a factor? (I'm a depressive, currently not too bad but I know I eat to manage my mood)

Oh, and congrats on the career change, sounds like you've found a vocation!

[LozzCowell]

Exactly what I needed to hear / read. The last few months have been rough for one reason or another. But I know now what I must do. Stop trying to make everyone else happy, and focus on me!! It might sound selfish, but to plough through and put a brave face on everything isn't always the best or healthiest thing to do.

[Chubbygirl253]

thank u hun! you certainly are an inspiration to many of us on here!

[Justwant2Bhealthy]

That's wonderful! I am glad that so many things have turned around for you. Congrats on all your success for far; and thanks for sharing that with us all here ...

[mountain walker]

Queen of swords getting my mental health sorted was absolutely the best thing I have ever done. OK there is still some serious stigma about these kind of illnesses but having the treatment that basically stabilised my mood was the starting point. I was supermorbidly obese in part because I was mentally ill, not mentally ill due to my obesity.
I am very fortunate because I am currently not working. I had to give up due to my mental health problems and am lucky enough to qualify for state benefits( God Bless the Welfare state!). This means I can do exactly what Lozz has said and focus on my health needs....both mental AND physical until the time has come for me to work again.
For once in my dieting life I do not see a slip or even a binge as a full blown disaster. I just pick myself up and dust myself off and get back to me calorie counting book and dog walks! I think the bipolar magnified the diet/binge cycle we have all had for a zillion years. I have also accepted that this is it for the long haul. At 357 lbs I was not going to reach my target in 2 months...so for once slow and steady was OK.
One of the mums at school has had weight loss surgery and said she was in at the same time as a lady who had been addicted in the past to both drugs and alcohol.( I mean no disrespect to anybody who suffers from these addictions as I know they wreck lives) This lady told my friend that of all her addictive behaviours her food addiction was ABSOLUTELY the hardest thing to deal with.
I hope that helps anybody reading this to be a bit less hard on themselves.
Take care.....and above all BE NICE TO YOURSELVES!!!