Butterfly Reflections

Life...what can I say but it happpens and then you learn.

Monday, January 14, 2008

"Huge Milestone In My Life"

I know I have not been so faithful on the updating on my blog. I might not even have anyone that will read this. I apologize for my lack of posting lately. I don't know that I have an excuse really, but here goes. I guess life has just been busy.

Here is what I want to share with you today. As many of you know that on October 3, 2006, my life as I knew it changed forever. I had to take on a new way of life when it came to healthy living. I had a choice to make. I could really make a complete lifestyle change that would alter my health and future health forever or I could simply revert back to my old ways and habits. Here I am over a year later and I can proudly say that I chose the complete lifestyle change. I have successfully lost 180 pounds. I am only 20 pounds away from reaching the goal weight that I set for myself when this whole thing began. Wow.......I cannot believe it!!! I never thought I would ever see the day that I stuck to anything like this. Not only have I changed my way of eating but my way of living has changed also. I am more active than I have ever been in my entire life. I haven't run a marathon or anything but who knows what my future holds. I find myself enjoying getting out and just walking about. Before, going to the grocery store was exhausting and almost intolerable.

One thing that I would like to say is that just because I had a gastric bypass does not mean that I didn't have to do any hard work or make sacrifices. Some times people look at weight loss surgery and think you didn't have to do anything at all. I will agree that it is a great tool to get you jump started, however, you do have to commit to a lifestyle change. There are foods that you must commit to never eating again. Sugars are no longer a part of your life. I have to look at the sugar content for everything I even thing of eating. If it has more than 12g per serving forget it and I rarely eat things that have that much in them. Those are the treats for me when I feel that I must have something. It is amazing. It was also really hard for me at times. I never realized that would actually mourn food. When I say mourn, I mean cry because I could not eat something that I always loved so dearly. I never truly realized that I was addicted to food especially for emotional purposes. Now, I deal with the problems that come my way in a healthy way. I no longer look to food for comfort. I look to my God, my husband, my friends, or my family. God has taught me so much throughout these last 15 months.

If anything, I want to be an encouragement to anyone who may need it.

Lastly, I want to thank my wonderful husband Wayne. He has been my ROCK at times. Those times when I was mourning food, he was there holding me. Wayne, I love you more and more each day. If it were not for your support and understanding, I am not sure I could have come this far. I feel blessed, truly blessed, to have you for my husband, soul mate, and best friend.

Well, until next time......