My Journey To a Healther Me

Last week I announced that I was going to share a major life change and become a healthier me.

As most of you are aware, and of course just by viewing photos of me, you know that I am – well to coin the medical term – morbidly obese.  I have struggled with my weight almost all my adult life.  Like so many people I have dieted, loss weight, gained weight plus more, dieted and ….. Well you get the idea… yo-yo dieting.  Unfortunately all this yo-yo dieting has taken a toll on my body.  

Along with all this yo-yo dieting I have suffered with multiple chronic health issues for almost 30 years.  Between eating like most Americans – larger portions than we need, and taking multiple medications that promote weight gain, my weight has gone to an all-time high.   

Upon several years of soul searching, prayer, seeking guidance from family, friends, and doctors, I have finally received peace that gastric bypass surgery is the right lifestyle change for me to become a healthier me.   Some of the things that helped me decide were:  extremely low metabolism; I have become non-weight bearing do to weight and chronic health conditions; certain personal needs; and a husband who now has debilitating chronic health issues that will only become worse over time. It’s time for me to be able to take care of my needs, do more around the house, and take care of my husband for a change.  

I know that many of you may think this is way too drastic or why can’t you just lose weight dieting?  Please know that I have not come by this decision lightly.  And I am NOT taking the “easy” way out!  There is NO easy way when it comes to gastric bypass.  It will be the hardest thing I will ever do in my life.  It will totally change me – literally inside and out.  

What I desire of each of you is to be my prayer warriors.  If all goes according to planned I will have surgery June or July of this year.  In the mean time I am to lose a certain amount of weight prior to surgery; take behavior modification classes; diet classes; support groups; and multiple doctor visits and exams. 

I plan on journaling my progress, thoughts and prayers on my personal blog, http://beelieve-ahealthierme.blogspot.com/ .  I ask that if you desire to follow my progress, be my prayer warrior, or just jot an encouraging word, that you would click to follow my blog so you can get updates.  These blog posts will be separate from my other blog/website - http://www.beelieveyoucan.net/  .  Also, the facebook support group page is:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/becomeahealthierme/  If you wish to join the group please let me know.  

I have quite a journey ahead of me.  Hold on tight because I moving forward and not looking back.  

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”   Philippians 4:13

Journey To A Healthier Me - Update

It's been a while since I have posted an update relating to my Journey To A Healthier Me.

First, my weight loss journey. This has been a struggle for four weeks with the scale not moving. I will not give up but I certainly would appreciate you prayers and encouragement. I know this is just a temporary set back.

Now my other health issues.

My fibromyalgia, arthritis, and neuropathy have been quite painful lately. Now that I have been approved for SSI disability, my health insurance has changed; I have a new primary care doctor who is very understanding and willing to help me to become a Healthier Me. Thank you Lord for answered prayers. Pray as the two of us work together to better control my pain. It will take some time. Last night was the first night in several days that I have been able to sleep (still getting up every couple of hours to pee as usual). I appreciate those who have prayed for me through my prayer request on Facebook. Keep praying!

Pray that the doctor can get an approval for me to go to water therapy near us. This would require out of network approval, but this rehabilitation center is the ONLY one that provides water therapy in our whole county!

He gives power to the weak
and strength to the powerless.
Even youths will become weak and tired,
and young men will fall in exhaustion.
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:29-31 (NLT)

Praise the Lord for HIS strength!

Journey To A Healthier Me - Update

It's been two weeks since I last posted. Time sure flies. These past couple of weeks I have been busy...for me that is. The past few months I had been planning a family reunion to be held this past Saturday, but an unexpected guest choose to crash the party - Hurricane Irene! I was really upset that we had to cancel, but we had to make sure everyone was safe. We did get lots of heavy rain and wind in our area, other areas in our state as well as much of the northeast got hit pretty hard. My thoughts and prayers go out to those who were affected by the hurricane. One "mixed" praise in all this - where we were to have the reunion/picnic (which is on our church property), had three trees come down. Praise the Lord no one was present at the time.

A Little Encouragement Can Go A Long Way

"Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken."  Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NLT

I love this picture!  I cannot tell you how many times I have had to stand on the scale at the doctor’s office and wanted to either run or cry!  For the first time in a long time, yesterday I was excited to stand on the scale at my doctor’s office.   The nurse even said, “Wow, I usually have to push and prod people to stand on the scale.”  I replied, “Just wait until you see why I am jumping on the scale!”

Update: Good News and Bad News

Good news first:

My journey to a Healthier Me is coming along….slowly…but each pound lost is one step closer to my goal of a Healthier Me. 

Here we go – drum roll please…….. I am down 40 lbs. since I began on June 6^th.    For those of you who have been following my Healthier Me Journey I truly appreciate your continued support and prayers.  I have a long way to go, but I know with God all things are possible!  

When one thinks about all the things that are against me in my journey it truly is God who is moving mountains!  I have doctors who say I cannot lose all the weight without weight loss surgery because of all my health issues and because of my health issues I am to do non-weight bearing exercises.  But with all that is against me I am now averaging 2 lbs a week weight loss.   Lord, “In Your strength I CAN crush an army; with my God I can scale ANY wall.”  Psalm 18:29

6 Weeks Weight Loss Update

It's going slower, but that is fine, at least the scales are going down and not up! My six weeks total weight loss is.... 35 lbs! The first two weeks it was 25 lbs. So the last four weeks it was 10 lbs. At first I was upset, but then I thought hey, the doctors didn't even think I could loose anything because I cannot do any weight bearing exercises (including walking) due to my bad knee. So 2 1/2 lbs a week is great! Just what we're suppose to loose!

I begin Physical Therapy today. They will show me exercises I can do without bearing weight and most of all stretches. My fibromyalgia is really bad. I will also have water therapy in the pool. I love that! I wish I could live in water! So pray about the therapy. We have to find the right balance that will help me and yet not hinder my fibromyalgia, arthritis, knees etc...

It still is not a difficult diet. I enjoy the variety of foods you get with Nutrisystem. I even have a difficult time getting in all the food I am to eat!

I really appreciate all your prayers. I know I can do all through through Christ who give me strength. Philippians 4:13.

Two Week Weight Loss Update

I have been on Nutrisystem for two weeks now.  So far I am doing great on the program.  For me this program words so far.  As I mentioned before I do not feel hungry or deprived on this program. 

Since Monday, June 20th I have lost..... drum roll please...... 25 lbs! 

I have to tell you something funny.  As many of you know, I don't hold back on what I share so here we go.  Before I started the program I had bought new undies and clothes because the summer clothes from last year were too small.  Well yesterday as I was putting on my "big girl panties" from before the weight loss I noticed that the waist band no longer is around my waist - it goes all the way up to under my bra!  Ha -ha!   I started laughing and I called Jim in to see and he said I look like one of those old men that wear their pants up high to their boobs!  Real sexy huh?  I then went into my closet to the section "too small" and I can wear some of last years clothes!!!  When I came into the living room Jim said," wow, I have not seen you wear that since last year!"  He is my biggest cheerleader.  He's a keeper. 

Keep praying for me to become a Healthier Me!