I have lost over 60 pounds and too many inches to count in the past 10 months.
It has not been easy, enjoyable, or fun to say the least. It HAS been hard and difficult and challenging and even downright frustrating.
I was sick and unhealthy, yet I didn’t share how bad I felt with even the closest of friends (or even my sweet supportive husband).
I have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes. I had, for years, been trying to get healthier and trying to get into shape and lose weight. Menopause threw me for a loop and so did grief. The death of my parents and my way of handling the grief sent me into a spiral of eating for comfort and joy.
I felt awful physically, mentally, and emotionally. I told my husband just a few weeks ago that I used to count in my head how many steps I needed to take to get somewhere to hype myself up to walk there and count every step. My knees ached, I became winded quickly and I could barely keep up with my little boys. I hid it well.
I serve as a small group leader at my church with a group of teen girls. We went to a conference last year on a college campus and I struggled to walk and keep up with them. We went to the same conference this June and it was a night and day difference. I COULD keep up with them and enjoyed my week with them so much more being healthy.
I had some goals in improving my health and using some great medications and staying in close contact with my nurse practitioner (make that appointment and take charge of your health), and now I am in such a better place.
This change did not come overnight; it was slow and it was a journey.
I eat differently and move more and it turns out I’m not allergic to exercise after all. I am the healthiest I have been in over two decades, and I am amazed at how I feel. My bloodwork is amazing, I am heart-healthy, and kissed that type 2 diabetes diagnosis goodbye!
Take the first step and then another, inch by inch, pound by pound.
