Hi everyone! I haven't visited this site since I joined in March, due to a number of complex events, however I thought I'd give you an update on my progress. Last Aug. I weighed 315lbs, and walked with 2 canes. As of this morning, I weigh 149lbs, and feel FANTASTIC! I threw away the canes last Xmas, when I had lost about 70lbs. Since then I have consistently lost, although some weeks it might only be a few ounces, but as I know that the body (especially female) pauses to adjust occasionally, I don't pay much attention to the ups and downs, it will eventually show up on the scale if you stick with your program. My goal is 126lbs (9st. in England), so I have another 23lbs to go. I can't believe that I have already lost 166lbs. that's 17lbs more than I currently weigh!!! When I assess the damage I have done to my joints, I consider myself lucky, that apart from arthritic knees, I have stayed reasonably healthy. And at the end of this month I'm having Synvisc injections in my knees to hopefully improve my mobility and lessen the pain. This whole weight-loss experience has brought home to me the importance of not over-taxing your body with excess flab, and listening to that inner voice when it says "you really don't want that extra helping!" Believe me, I ignored that voice for years and paid the penalty in a variety of ways. The most hurtful (apart from physical), was to hear my grandchildren make comments about me not being able to keep up, or play with them anymore. One comment in particular, that still stings was, "you have the stumpiest legs I have ever seen!" It was not meant to hurt, as it was uttered by a very caring 17yr. old, hoping he could shake me out of my rut! It did! Combined with the fact that I was diagnosed with sleep apnea, I knew I had to do something drastic. I immediately signed up for a program here in Toronto, and the numbers speak for themselves. The weight loss also cured my apnea, as my 2nd sleep study in Mar. when I had lost just over 100lbs. came back normal!!! I'm 67yrs. old, retired, with 10 grandchildren ages 12 to 28, and a 5yr. old great-granddaughter, and now when we meet I'm so full of energy, they have a hard time keeping up with me. I urge all of you who are struggling with the demon flab, to assess what is important to you. I know it's easy for me to say, as I have had help (expensive, but worth it), in altering my life style, but it is so important to face the reality that being fat really is unhealthy, and not so very pretty either. I'm not condemning overweight people, I know that some are perfectly happy being heavy, and can look absolutely stunning. It was a personal choice for me, and judging by this forum, would be for the majority of you. I will answer any questions that this forum will allow, so fire away, guys! Every time I walk up the stairs, I remind myself that this time last year I was carrying over 16, 10lb.bags of potatoes on my body. I defy anyone to actually be able to do that, and yet I expected my joints to do it dozens of times a day. No wonder my knees have rebelled. I used to wear size 26, and sometimes even bigger, I now wear size 10, or small. All the clothes I kept over the years, just in case, have found new homes via Goodwill, and I will never buy anything larger again. This time around (I have dieted before and been successful, but always put it back on), my whole outlook has changed and I know I'll never be fat again!! Cheers everyone, and Good Luck in all your endeavours. I'll keep you informed when I reach my goal, and I just pray that at least one person will be inspired enough to say "if she can do it , then so can I!"
Later! suntan!
Later! suntan!
