It was June, 2008. I can still recall the conversation that ultimately began my transformation... We were all sitting around the dinner table and the story of a family event was being retold for my benefit. There were pictures as well as the exaggerated description of the participants--each more outrageous than the last--until someone blurted out, "...and this one woman was HUGE!!! She must have weighed like 300 pounds!" My heart stopped. Just that morning, I had tipped the scale at 295--my heaviest recorded weight. I drove home in tears, wondering what they thought of me and worried that I too was a topic of conversation. I joined the local Y the next day, vowing to lose the weight once and for all. But the summer past, and for all my efforts, nothing had changed.
The next 4 months were challenging. My LTO position was now a 1 year contract. I had a new principal to impress and I needed to establish myself. I came home at night exhausted and uninspired. Until I met Cate. I knew that I was not going back to London and I needed some local connections, including a health care professional. Cate ran a women's clinic in Seaforth and I soon found myself signing up to have this nurse practitioner as my primary health care provider. A physical (my first in many years) revealed high blood sugar (aka pre-diabetic) and high blood pressure. Cate and I spoke briefly about lifestyle changes (i.e. diet and exercise) and to my delight, I discovered that, among other things, I had access to a nutritionist. It was Christmas so we agreed that Rebecca and I would meet in the new year. I went home feeling hopeful.
On New Year's Eve, I started a journal and outlined my goals for 2009: to focus on my health and personal wellness and work at being my personal best; to eat healthy and workout, spend time in personal reflection, and emphasize all the positives in my life.
This has been a HUGE paradigm shift for me! I have moved from worrying about others and what they think of me (which is none of my business) to making myself my first priority. I exercise every day for at least 30 minutes (beginning with the Wii Fit and gradually adding other program elements). I don't diet. Diets have a beginning and an end. Instead I follow an eating plan that I will maintain and adjust throughout life. I know there are some things I just shouldn't eat. (like bacon!) I watch how many calories I consume and I THINK before I eat. Whenever possible, I plan ahead so I can make the best choices possible, but I also remind myself that one slip up doesn't mean I have to abandon my efforts. I am not perfect, but with Rebecca's help, I lost 35# in 6 months!
At the end of February, I got a call that changed my life further. After being on a waiting list since June 2006, I was finally able to have breast reduction surgery. I opted for a summer surgery so I didn't have to miss any time at work and on August 7th, my surgery happened!
Which brings me to today...Just 8 days after my life changing operation, I am home and celebrating "the new me". I am 45# lighter and SO excited to show everyone my new body. I am eager to begin working out again so I can tone and tighten my abs but I must wait until I heal (4-6 weeks). To help me through this time of challenge, I have rejoined Jenny Craig to keep myself accountable to someone and to monitor my calorie count. I will continue walking (once the sudden humidity breaks) and I will continue blogging my achievements. I look forward to experiencing face-to-face conversations and finally feeling like I fit into all my clothes...This is just the beginning...and I am excited to see where this journey will take me next!
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