It has been nearly a month since I posted a blog. Much has happened in that month. I spent some time in the hospital (again), met with the surgeon about skin surgery (brief consultation), started Body Challenge, broke the 300 pound mark, and set new goals for myself.
I ended up with yet another bout of cellulitis on the same leg on which I had my prior surgery in December. This time, I had to spend 5 days in the hospital. The doctors were impressed with the weight loss progress; however, to me, I viewed it as a setback. I was not allowed to leave my room, so my only exercise was walking to the bathroom and back. I about went crazy. So crazy, in fact, that I asked my doctor to please take me on a walking tour of the hospital when he made his rounds (after all, they can't tell the doctor he can't walk his patient, right?!?)! That's a big change for me. I was so uncomfortable with walking, that I used to cringe at the thought of him coming and walking around the floor of the hospital. Now, we take the stairs and do laps!
Just before I went into the hospital this last time, I had my final appointment with the surgeon from the December hospitalization/surgery. While I was there, I had the opportunity to ask about skin removal surgery. I know I am not quite ready for it yet, but I know that it is coming and I know that I will need to be prepared. For something major like that, I felt as though I would need to digest information in small portions. When it is time for the actual consultation, I will have to take someone with me to write down what he says, because I'm not going to have any clue what's going on. :) I can't wait for that day! Anyway, he said that he was not sure if the insurance would cover the procedure, because generally it is something that is cosmetic. Given my medical history, and the 8 hospitalizations in the past 2 years, he thought it likely that insurance would cover some portion of it. Then, he quoted me a very nice price for arms/abdomen surgery. He did not mince words. It is going to be painful. It will be a long recovery process. It will not be pleasant. It is almost enough to deter me from wanting the surgery. Almost. Then, I think back to how unpleasant life was as a heavy person. As someone who couldn't move freely. I don't ever want to go back there. Soon, the skin will become quite a hindrance to me, and will prohibit my movement and ability to exercise at the capacity at which I want.
My goal was to start Body Challenge at 299 pounds. I did not make it. My initial weigh-in for Body Challenge was 310.5. I was so disappointed, but I realized that it didn't matter. I had done my best to get there - there were situations like the hospital that I couldn't avoid. Life happened. So, I resolved that I would get there. That whole first week, I stayed on point with my diet - like, to perfection. I weighed in that Friday night before the second weigh-in at was at 300.5 pounds. I thought, "surely, I'll have it in the morning, because everyone knows you weigh less in the morning..." Ha. Not funny, but I weighed 301 that morning. So, I opted to skip training and bust out some cardio before our first Body Challenge Saturday group workout. Seventy-five minutes, three sweatshirts and tank top later, I weighed in at 300.5 again. Seriously?!? I was sooooo close. I told the trainers I wasn't leaving the gym until I hit 299. Thankfully, after the Body Challenge workout, I weighed in at 299.5. Thankfully. I was hungry, thirsty and tired!
Body Challenge is underway. It's an interesting experience. I'm having to push myself harder and longer than ever before. I'm excited to see where it takes me!
