My Health Journey - Weight Loss

Oct 24

Oct 24 My Health Journey - Weight Loss

After I began to breathe better, I still felt guilty for being overweight… even though being overweight did not cause my disease. With each doctor's visit, I was told that if I lost weight, I might feel better… but I could hardly breathe. I had been on so many steroids that I knew affected my weight, but the fact of the matter was that most of my weight issues came from my own unhealthy choices.

(Also - if someone is overweight, I promise you they are fully aware of it - you don’t have to tell them.)

In the Fall of 2018, when both boys were home (a rare occasion), we decided to go out for dinner. I probably changed outfits at least 4 times, because everytime I looked in the mirror, I didn’t like what I saw. I’d ask Colt and Cain what they thought, and each time they would say, “that looks good.”

I never asked Blue because he’s a smart man and would never say that my outfit looks bad!

The boys are always truthful with me about clothes.

The last time I asked, Cain was tired of looking, and Colt said, “Mom, what do you not like? You either have to learn to love what you’re seeing in the mirror or change what you’re seeing.”

He didn’t mean this in a hurtful way at all - if you know Colt, you know that he is very direct, but always full of love. What he was saying was that I needed to love myself regardless. The truth is, I didn’t like myself very much at all.

In the summer of 2018, we were invited to go on a 14 day European Cruise the following summer. As excited as I was to go, I had so much anxiety about the trip. And quite frankly, I knew I wouldn’t want to be in any pictures. It’s crazy to think about pictures, but I did. Remember, I didn’t like who I saw in the mirror.

I love to travel, but every time I would have to fly, I worried about so many things. Would I have to turn sideways to go down the aisle? Would the seat belt fit? (I’ve been right at the end of a seat belt, but it has always fit.) Would I touch the person next to me?

I read a lot about the trip, and saw how much walking that would be involved. So, I started to worry about my breathing and how out of shape I was, too.

Similarly, when we would go out to dinner, I would always worry that I wouldn’t be able to fit into a booth if we couldn’t get a table. (I watch “This is Us” and can so relate to Kate, the character who struggles with her weight.)

Looking for Options: Weight Loss Surgery

I noticed a few of my friends posting pictures, and they all looked so great. So, me not being shy at all, I just sent a few messages asking what they had been doing to lose so much weight. Each of them told me that they had weight loss surgery, and they were all so kind to answer all of my questions - and if you know me, you know I always ask a lot of questions.

My husband, Blue, finally agreed for me to schedule a consultation with a surgeon, he was just not a fan of the procedure for me.

I was so excited to meet with the doctor. He gave me all of the steps I would need to complete, and I had all but one! I would need a doctor’s release. My specialist would only agree to sign off on the surgery if the anesthesiologist would use an LMA mask instead of the typical intubation during surgery.

Well, you guessed it - you can’t use an LMA mask for this type of surgery. My specialist just didn’t want me to take the risk since I was doing so well with my procedures. He didn’t want to cause any irritation of my trachea.

On the way home I was bummed, and before I knew it, I had gone through Dairy Queen and for some wonderful ice cream. My pity party caused me to gain even more weight.

My Turning Point

In February 2019, I began to think more and more about the trip coming up, and I knew I would want to be able to keep up and enjoy my trip.

On February 22, 2019, I weighed the most that I had ever weighed.

Around this time, several close friends were losing weight and looking great, so I reached out to them. Some did Weight Watchers, others just counted calories, but every single one of them had also started exercising - that was the secret.

On the way home that day, I called my friend Julie, who was a lifetime member of Weight Watchers, and she talked to me about it. Even though she was no longer on the plan, she gave me great advice and encouragement. The very next day, I met with my friend Tammy, who is currently using the Weight Watchers app, so she could show me how to use it.

And so this is how I started to get my weight under control!

In the beginning, I couldn’t keep up with all the free food that they offer, because I knew in my mind that chicken being a free food if I ate 3 breast in one sitting I’d be in trouble. So, I also used My Fitness pal to keep my calories under 1200 and to help me balance my portions. Now, I only use the Weight Watchers app.

With my diagnosis, I was encouraged to avoid fried foods, cheese, sodas, and caffeine. So, I had already cut those things from my diet. I only drink water, and maybe once a month I will have an unsweet tea or a Diet Mountain Dew.

It Takes Discipline

Whether dieting or surgery, it’s hard! You have to be disciplined enough to wake up everyday and make healthy choices. It’s not an easy journey! There are so many people that encourage and inspire me that you may not even be aware that you do. I had so many precious people that have been so helpful to me along the way. I do believe that this support system has helped me to continue to accomplish my weight loss goals!

If you are interested in Weight Watchers, you are welcome to use the link below for a free month!
https://www.weightwatchers.com/us/checkout/iaf/?iaftoken=86F8B3F000

50lbs Down!

I am certainly not a coach or at my goal yet, but as of today, I’ve lost 50lbs and feel so much better! In the picture, below, I’m holding a 50lb sack of feed to represent the weight I have lost.