I'm excited to lead the peer inspiration class tomorrow. I noticed that Namaste was the first one on the sign-up list. I appreciate your moral support.
In preparation for the class, I finally wrote out my weight loss testimonial. I used a few things that inspired me from this web site (thanks JanT).
Here it is....
Every Metabolic Research Center success has a weight loss story. Well, this is mine.
Over the last thirty plus years, I have gained and lost large amounts of weight over and over again. About 5 years ago I lost 125 pounds only to regain it all back plus more. I know all too well how upsetting and frustrating that is. I seriously considered having weight loss surgery as my only hope. I had to overcome many feelings of self doubt. Why should I even try to lose weight again if I am only going to gain it all back? Maybe I was meant to be this weight. It took a long time for me to muster up the mental strength it takes to do it all over again. I had to change my stinkin’ thinkin’ into shrinkin’ thinkin’.
Once I made the decision to lose weight, I wanted this time to be the “last time”. I knew I could lose weight on my own, but felt I had been missing something important that was preventing me from any long term success.
Weighing 357 pounds and needing to lose 172 pounds seemed overwhelming at first. I started thinking about it and realized that a year would pass by whether I lost weight or not. I could be 100 or more pounds lighter in a year or the same weight or heavier. I decided not to look at losing 172 pounds, but instead breaking my total weight into smaller weight goals, and taking it one day at a time.
I researched a few of the weight loss centers out there. I knew I could lose weight with any program, but I wanted a program that had a good reputation with maintenance and permanent weight loss. I also wanted to lose my weight as fast and as safe as possible.
Metabolic Research Center is the one I chose. So far I’ve had fantastic results. I have lost a total of 128.5 pounds and 120 inches in only 8 months! I have never felt more healthy and energetic. I’m well on my way to reaching my goal weight of 185 pounds.
Throughout my weight loss career at Metabolic Research Center I have had weekly weight losses up to 8 pounds, but I have also had weigh-ins with no losses, small losses, and a couple of gains. It can be very frustrating at times, especially when you think you are doing everything right. Now, I know these setbacks were a part of the normal process of losing weight. Don’t get me wrong, I was still bummed when the scale wasn’t moving as fast as I would like. I looked at the big picture. Each pound I lost brought me closer to my goal weight, and the process to get there taught me lessons I could apply to a life long lifestyle change.
I really love food, but realize the freedom to eat what you want, how much you want, and whenever you want is a very limited freedom with a very heavy price. As an overweight (morbidly obese) person, it’s pretty much the only freedom you have. As a thinner person, I have gained so many more freedoms that food could never give me. The freedom to be an active part of my wife and children’s lives. The freedom of better health. I don’t need self limiting medications to control my blood pressure, blood sugars, cholesterol, stomach acid, pain, etc. The freedom to fly in a plane without a seatbelt extender, or fit in a seat on an amusement park ride. The freedom not to feel self-conscious wearing a bathing suit. The list of freedoms goes on and on. Food has it’s place in my life, but I refuse to let food have an all consuming power over me that it once did. There is so much more to life!!! I’m living life instead of watching life.
The best advice I can give to those of you just starting out is: DON’T GIVE UP!!! Enjoy the process of your weight loss journey. Each time you make it through a challenging time, you become stronger and more motivated in your resolve to lose weight. Before you know it, the weeks go by along with the fat and inches. A lot of people give up way too early. Just hanging in there long enough for the program to work is half the battle.
The personal support of the Metabolic Research Center staff members has helped me stay motivated, accountable, and maximize my weight loss, while the life management classes have helped me address the emotional side of overeating. Together, with the added support of family and friends, I can once and for all maintain permanent weight loss.
Darren (aka Donuts)