Eight years ago today, I began one of the most important health journeys of my life. I entered my local hospital to begin treatment for morbid obesity. At the time, I weighed 305 lbs and had a BMI in the mid-30s. My blood sugar had been steadily creeping upward, and I had developed a serious problem in my right foot, aggravated by high blood sugar causing deterioration of the bone structure. Clearly, I was in serious trouble if I failed to take action. The time had come to make a change.
Unfortunately, I had tried twice before to lose significant weight, only to yo-yo down and then back up in weight. This time, I needed to be truly committed.
With the help of health professionals, I began a serious weight loss program. Following their counsel, I avoided bariatric surgery and instead focused on drastically reducing portion sizes. I also completely gave up alcoholic beverages, began a daily weighing regimen, and started working out with a personal trainer twice a week. With his guidance, we added a daily elliptical workout and a 20-30 minute outdoor walk. These have become regular habits, and I’m convinced this combination has made it possible for me to keep the excess weight off.
Here I am eight years later weighing between 210 and 215 lbs. I feel so much better than when I was so heavy eight years ago. As I’ve told many of my friends, I just wish I had taken losing excess weight so seriously much, much earlier.
When my calendar reminder popped up this morning informing me that it was eight years ago today that I began this journey, I decided to take a moment to note it here as well!