I've Avoided This Post

My old fashioned scale that is incredibly accurate and consistent, and weight a ton!

I have avoided this subject even though it is such a big part of my life, and has been for a long time now.  It was something I could do something about, but it never seemed to work, until recently.  It wasn't something I was proud of, but I'm starting to not feel so bad about it, now that I've found I CAN do it!

Back in December, about the 14th, I decided I would make some changes in my life.  I've struggled with weight for the past 25 years or so.  I was in wonderful shape in my 30's - trim and worked with weights, barely an ounce of fat on me.  But a couple of injuries and stressful moves around the country got me off track, and I did plenty of stress eating and plenty of not getting out to walk or do weights. 

Little by little, ounce by ounce, pound by pound, weight piled on.  A back injury from high school began plaguing me and walking became a painful chore most of the time, and even standing still for too long set my muscles into spasms.  It became difficult to figure out HOW to lose weight, as nothing really seemed to work without hunger and exercise.

This past December though, the threat of being in early Type 2 diabetes and perhaps having cancer, set my mind straight and put me on a better path.  I have been in the process of changing my eating habits and getting physical therapy for my back.  These two changes (and the sudden disappearance of my "two-doctors confirmed" lump) have led me to a different place than I ever imagined I'd be today.

As of yesterday morning I have lost 23 pounds in under 3 months.  I am eating well, and never hungry.  I can stand to iron my husband's shirts without having to take a break to uncramp my back muscles.  And I can walk the aisles of the grocery store without having to take frequent breaks to lean on the cart and stretch my back (ok, maybe a couple - but not as many).

When I fell going up the stairs just a while ago (that I posted about earlier) it was because my long skirt was just a little longer on me than it used to be!  I've discarded it until I can take it in and shorten it!  What a nice problem to have.

I feel better than I have in ages --oOOOOhhhhhhHHH! (does that look excited?  because it is!) My doctor took me off my blood pressure medication!

I still get periods of numbness in my middle back and muscle spasms off and on, but I have more therapy to do, and am optimistic that things will improve even more.  But if they don't, I can live with this.  I just have to remember to limit my lifting to a few dishes and a toothbrush and limit my food to steaks and bacon.  I think I can do that.  Easy-peasy! 

I'm on my way to a healthier, trimmer, me who can enjoy her children and grandchildren better.  Hey!  I'm getting a lap again!  All the better to read bedtime stories on!

************************

PS for those interested in the hows:
If you are interested in what I'm eating, I have pretty much gone by "Eat Bacon, Don't Jog", and it is working amazingly easily!  The pounds come off without any hunger, mood swings, heart palpitations, etc.  And I'm not doing the exercises in the book.

(I don't sell this book or have any interests in it - I just want you to know what has worked for me: Dec. 14 - Mar. 8 = 23 pounds lost) 

And I'm using a "Jawbone Up" wristband to track my sleep patterns and steps (esp. since I have trouble walking long periods or distance and want to see how I'm improving), and I have the app "My Fitness Pal" on my phone. 

The wristband is really not necessary, but I wouldn't have been able to do this as well or as easily without the app "My Fitness Pal".  I'm sure there are others out there. But the free version lets you set your goals, keep track of weight, keep track of foods and % of carbs, proteins and fats, along with the calories.  It is amazing!