Medikdave

Nah, no food funerals for me. I think the only food I may miss is rice. Mainly because of Cajun food and sushi. But, when it comes right down to it, the choice is an easy one. Like any culture change, it will come easier as time goes on.

I'm so excited, and scared, and happy, and terrified.... Two weeks from tomorrow, my life will change for the better! I can't wait! Well, sort of... So, a little about myself first, I guess. I've been fighting this lovely battle ever since puberty set in. I'm 40 now, so it's been awhile. I was fairly athletic in High School, so that kept things in check. But, as soon as I went to college, I went from Eating/Soccer/Eating/Wrestling/Eating/Cycling to Eating/Partying/Eating/Sleeping/Eating/Studying, etc. I'm sure many of you can tell the same tale. Even though I've stayed physically active, I just can't keep the weight off. I'm an active Volunteer Firefighter, I do 30-45 mins of cardio at the gym 3-4 times per week, and I'm even a 7 time veteran of a local charity bike ride called the MS150. If you know anything about the hills around Austin, TX, then you know a bike ride from Houston to Austin is no easy task for the "Gravitationally Challenged." Everyone wants to draft behind the big guy! Damn skinny people.... For a long time, I've had two demons: Smoking and food. Demon #1 died in September of last year. I was working out one night, and suddenly felt like if I didn't stop, a blood vessel in my frontal lobe was going burst. My head was pounding. It was truly the first time I've ever felt like I was going to die. I was a nurse for 8 years, and I've been a Volunteer Firefighter/Medic for 19 years. I know the score. My BP was 186/106. All I could think of was my family. My beautiful wife, my (17 year old) little girl, and my boys, 4 and 5 years old. The cigarettes went in the toilet, and I went on BP medicine. Time for the other Demon to die as well. It's the scariest, strongest, tastiest one of them all. I love food. I'm not saying I love to eat, that's different. I love food. I'll spare everyone the torture of listing the foods I think I'll miss the most. I know I'm experiencing the same thing that 99% of you felt, but I can't stop thinking of the foods that I love to taste, knowing that so much is going to [have to] change, two weeks from tomorrow. I'm praying that this is one of those times when there is only one set of "Footprints in the Sand". At least I can tell my Savior that the longer he carries me, the lighter I'll be. From what I've seen, this is a wonderful forum. I'm looking forward to hanging out here for the foreseeable future. Take care all, thanks for 'listening' David