Shoutin’ from the Rooftop

I have struggled so long with my weight. I was never overweight as a child. I was very fortunate that I was always taller growing up until 4th grade when everything changed. It was then that “Mother Nature” found me. I stopped growing and the weight problem began. I can remember being teased, feeling out of place, and not fitting in. I was shy to try new things because of my weight. I was able to keep my weight under control even though I was on the chunky side. I never felt comfortable in my own skin. Looking back, I wasn’t that chunky & didn’t have that much to lose. By the time that I got married, I was probably 20 pounds overweight. Not too good on a 4 ft 11 inch frame.

in 2001, after my Dad was killed, I turned to food to numb the pain. That wasn’t the first time I had used food in an unhealthy manner. The depression didn’t let up and I continued to turn to food. Late 2002, my good friend, Stephanie & I, started going to the YMCA. We started working out several times a week. I started eating only when I was hungry (what a concept) and continued to exercise. I lost about 20 pounds. I kept most of those 20 pounds off for 2+ years (including the birth of our second daughter).

In late 2006 early 2007, I had a major health scare. I was given a diagnosis for a disease that is rare and not much is known about it or what causes it. One known indicator of this disease is obesity. All of my doctors said that it could be a factor but I wasn’t that overweight. My neurosurgeon said that I could use a little weight but he didn’t think it would play that big of role in my condition.

Even with that scare looming over me, I really didn’t make any true attempts to lose the weight. I felt so bad physically from this condition that I didn’t have the energy to deal with my weight. Why would I want to give up the one “friend” that was always there for me. Finally I just got mad. Mad at myself. Mad that I had let myself get to the point that I was at. I really had no idea of how I would lose the weight but I knew that it had to be a way that I could live the rest of my life. Diets hadn’t worked for me in the past and I was so tired of diets. I had tried every diet known to women.

I am so thankful that I was re-introduced to Weight Watchers by my dear friend Tammy. I called up Chris one day and just told him I was joining Weight Watchers. I called up my friend, Stephanie, and asked her to come along if she was interested. I had another great friend join us just a few weeks later. It was so helpful to have these two friends along for the journey. We were able to encourage each other and be a great support to one another.

I finally feel like I have won the battle against my weight & over-eating. I hit my goal weight on Saturday, December 22, 2007. It was the best feeling. All day I walked around saying “I DID IT!”. For the first time in my life I lost all of the weight that I needed to lose. I was finally in a healthy BMI range. I believe that I can live this way the rest of my life. Of course there will be bumps along the road. Since making my goal weight, I have gotten off the path but I have picked myself right back up and gotten with the program. I cannot tell you how much better by body feels 51 pounds lighter.

This isn’t a diet that I am on. This is a way of life. I don’t feel deprived with what I am eating. I can eat what I want but just in smaller portions. I am eating much healthier than I did in the past. Do I slip up? Of course, I am human. There is a major difference in how I deal with those slip-ups. In the past, I would have kept on eating. The disappointment that I felt in myself would cause me to spiral out of control. Those days are over. I just get right back on program. None of this “I will start Monday” mentality that I had in the past.

I have experienced the hopelessness of losing the weight. I know the frustration & fear of trying one more time. I am thankful that I found a healthy and safe way that I can live the rest of my life.

If you would like encouragement along your journey, feel free to contact me. I love to hear from other that are on the same journey. I am shoutin’ from the rooftop that if I can live this way, you can too!

Kristen

Trackback URI | Comments RSS