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The Journey Begins

Taking the first step of a journey is both exciting and frightening. Add in the thought of surgery and it takes it to an omg level. But I am that desperate. I have tried just about everything – Weight Watchers more times that I can count, starting when I was just 25. Diet Center. Remember them? Pretty sure Diet Center single-handedly wrecked my metabolism. Appetite suppressants. Alli. Full bars. Slim Fast. Atkins. Every ‘fad’ out there. I did have that brief Golden Age (around 30) when I worked at a fitness center and worked out constantly and could actually keep my weight under control. As long as I ate barely nothing that is.

I have been ‘chubby’ for years, but the pounds really packed on when I quit smoking 6 years ago. And I have never been able to get/keep them off. I think I’ve gained an average of 15lbs/year. Ouch. I weighed 105 when I graduated from high school, and 120 when I was 20, and around 125-130 right before I got pregnant with my first baby. I did gain 50 pounds with that pregnancy but was able to get it off by her first birthday. I never really had a problem losing weight after having my children, but I was breastfeeding and super busy and who has time to eat? Unfortunately at 52 that’s not an option now! But don’t think I haven’t considered it. Joking! (Kind of).

Anyway, I need to do something. My husband would die if he knew how much I weigh. Pretty sure it’s more than he does, and he’s a foot taller. I have a brand new grandson on the way, and I would like to be able to get on the floor and play with him, AND be able to get back up. I would really like to go off my blood pressure medication, and the Rx I take for the arthritis in my knee. I have so many wonderful things going on in my life right now, and being overweight is like the ultimate buzz kill. I do a LOT of hard physical labor in the summer months, and the thought of having to start that up soon really depresses me. I can barely rake the yard much less do anything strenuous. I get out of breath just going up and down the stairs.

It’s time for a change.

2 Comments

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Spaness2012

LAP-BAND Patients

Congrats on your decision. Good luck on your journey!

gowalking

LAP-BAND Patients

I have such a similar story. Also put on major pounds after stopping the smoking. Also have a very bad right knee due to arthritis and all the extra weight. I'm 54 and have three grandchildren who I cannot keep up with between the extra weight and the knee pain. I also have hypertension and my first 'intervention' was at the age of 13 with my first attempt at Weight Watchers. I also got control of my weight at certain times in my life but could never keep it off. I came close in the early '90s but a bad second marriage sent me right back to eating badly and it's been downhill ever since. Now for the good news....I was banded on January 14th and as of today (I weight in once a week each Sunday) I'm down 51 lbs. My knee is still giving me trouble, it may be beyond rehab at this point but even if I get a replacement, the lower weight will help me have a successful outcome. As far as the hypertension, I went from 90 mgs. of nifedipine and 300/25 mgs. of Avalide to only 1 med daily....20 mgs. of lisinopril. Good luck on your journey, I know you will be a success.

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