Sunday, April 26, 2015

Starting Week 5 - Update

It's hard for me to comprehend that I have already had my surgery. I see the difference as my body changes almost daily, but the struggle to get to that surgery seemed insurmountable at the time, yet here I am - living my dream.

In the past month, I have lost a total of 32.5 pounds. Since June 2014, I am over 60 pounds down and yes, it is noticeable to those who see me most everyday. My face is thinning. I have pants that literally fall off my behind. Because of the hernia repair, I no longer have a large baseball-sized lump near my belly button and that, to me, is the most noticeable thing ever. My tummy may still be fat, but it's flat now and I'm loving it!

One of my greatest accomplishments is that I am no longer on any pain medications. One year ago, I was swallowing up to 5000mg of Ibuprofen per day... no that is not a typo... 5000mg. True that I had some cortisone pumped into my shoulder a couple weeks ago, and that definitely has contributed to my wellbeing at present, but what about the pain in my knees and just about every other joint in my body? Nope, it's amazing how weight loss can eliminate pain that way.

A friend of mine contacted me this past week to say they are seriously considering gastric bypass. I know that my way isn't always the right way for everyone, but I strongly urged my friend to get started and see if it was right for her. She's 20 years younger than me and let me tell you, had I known at that age what I know now, I wouldn't have waited another moment to be where I am now in this life changing position.

Yes, it's hard work. In fact, it's probably the hardest thing I've ever done for myself in 60 years. I've had to overcome the head games, which to be honest, are a daily battle. Never mind the detractors that surround us, such as people who do not want to see us succeed. That's hard for sure, but the worst is the dialog that goes on in our own heads. Staying positive is essential to succeeding, yet have any of us ever known anyone who is positive 100% of the time? 

I went on a bit of a pity-party earlier this week. We're all entitled to those occasionally, right? At least, that's what I have always told myself. Well, I have another friend who is intent on holding me accountable and simply will not put up with my pity-parties for more than maybe 2 seconds. That friend can't even begin to know how much it means to me that they care that much about me. Pity-parties get us nowhere positive. They simply feed the head games that we need to fight.

I have one aunt and one uncle left in this life and this week, I spoke to each of them. They are both 89 years old and I am forever grateful to have such loving relationships with them. A year ago, I never thought I'd say this, but I would love to live to 89 years old and continue to have loving relationships with all the special people in my life... and EVERY person in my life is special. Like everyone else, I'm not certain how long I have on this earth, but you can bet your bottom dollar that I am going to make every moment of my time count.

Let's make it great!

xxxJBDxxx

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