Last night I ran into an old acquaintance from church that I hadn't seen in months. Probably close to a year or so. We got to talking and this person told me that I was looking good, and that I'd clearly lost weight. Of course, at that point, I told him, yes, I had lost 112 pounds as of Saturday. He asked if I'd had the gastric bypass done. I was proud of myself that I could say no. That I had earned every ounce of the lost weight. We chatted for a bit and then I proceeded to go in the store for what I had come to the store for. As I was checking out, the cashier said to me, "I couldn't help but overhear your conversation...no, wait, I was eavesdropping." She congratulated me on my weight loss. Then, she asked how I did it. I told her that it was good old fashioned calorie counting and exercising. She asked me if I thought the machines at the gym would hold her. I leaned in a little closer and said to her, "Ma'am, five months ago, I was 459 pounds. The machines held me. They are still there functioning. It will be fine." I then proceeded to tell her about Danny. This lady had this expression of hopelessness on her face. I recognize it. I was there. I didn't think anything I did would matter...that I was too far gone. Until someone reached out and helped me. And forced me to see that I am worth this change. I am worth putting my body through multiple workouts and bumps and bruises. I. Am. Worth. It.
If there is one word of advice I can give, it is to plan. Plan a time every day that you will focus on you. No one else. That 30 minutes is just for you. Also, plan your meals. Plan them in advance. When I cook, I cook about a week at a time. I need to do better with it...I know it. That is my goal for next week.
All in all, the purpose of this post is to just express how totally cool it is that I could share my story with someone. And, even though I still have a ways to go, I can be an inspiration to others to make a healthy change.
