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The Start of my New Life in 2016
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Age: 34
Personality: INFJ
Weight: 288 lbs
Relationship status: Committed
Location: Florida
Health: Good, but not much stamina
That's me, in a nutshell. My favorite thing to do is to travel and explore everything around me. I'm insatiably curious and love interacting with different cultures. I've traveled to several countries with various missionary and relief projects because I believe in spending my resources helping those less fortunate. I love hiking in the woods, zip-lining between mountains, scuba diving, getting intentionally lost in new cities on foot, and meeting new people. Skydiving is on my bucket list. I'm fiercely independent and stubbornness is my fatal flaw.
History: I've done all of these things overweight. I've lost up to 60 lbs (twice), my lowest adult weight being 220 at one time. I felt marvelous and my energy was unending. The weight stayed off for about two years, but when it came back brought another 10 or 20 on top of what my highest had previously been.
Recently, the scale tipped 296, something I never thought I'd see. I was mortified that I'd let myself get that high, as I'd started feeling the physical signs of that much weight: Being physically uncomfortable with that much bulge (sitting comfortably), energy sapping quickly, sore feet after just a couple of hours of exploring New York. Knees painful when climbing stairs.
I noticed in myself the last few months that I've started withdrawing from social situations and meeting new people out of embarrassment over how I look. I had an internet friend visit the states from the UK recently, and I wanted to fly out to meet her. I didn't. I want to visit my dad back home in Minnesota since it's been six years. I'm not.
I've tried two dieting attempts in the past year. I lost 12 lbs doing very strict low carb, which was confusing to me since usually I dropped weight quicker with healthy eating. My doctor explained it as my body becoming resistant to low carb dieting, since I've tried it and failed so many times before. I knew I needed help this time, so I made an appointment with bariatrics to talk about getting put on a dieting pill -- they had another solution for me.
Present: Long story short, I've come to the conclusion that the sleeve will be the help I need to really make a lifestyle change. I know it won't be easy, and due to my stubbornness, I'm not used to doing things the easy way. I'm ready. My excitement is growing. I've been stalking and lurking this forum and youtube for the past two weeks, learning all I can.
Here're a few things that really were the tipping point for this decision:
-Getting rid of my PCOS. I want to bear children sometime soon! I know PCOS will complicate that.
- Airplane seat belts. I fly every 3 weeks or so, and having a seat belt not fit was mortifying. About 50% of seat belts fit me, depending on the plane. If they don't, I tuck the buckle under my belly. Also, seats in general.. not comfortable.
-Ahem.. intimate positions. I really enjoy sex, and have been increasingly sad that I'm not able to do the things I once could.
-Social embarrassment/afraid to meet people
-Meeting my boyfriend's parents is sometime in the near future (They're Asian. Even though my boyfriend is also overweight, he's dating a white girl.. and a fat one at that. Two strikes against me in Asian culture)
-Wedding pictures.. nuff said.
-I've always dreamed of a trip around the world, and I finally have the funds for it. How much fun would it be if I tire easily, though?
-How far away is diabetes with my sugar addiction and weight, really?
-I completed a GoRuck (physical endurance) Light challenge this summer and loved it. I want to do more.
Things I just can't wait for:
- Stamina! Being able to explore all day and not have to stop to rest my aching feet and knees.
- Traveling comfortably. Airplane belts that fit. Not having to squeeze between people in a restaurant.
- Forgoing that first assessment when entering a room where I look around to see if I'm the fattest person there... you know what I mean.
- Summer dresses!!
-Cute shoes and cute clothes. Not having to shop in Lane Bryant for everything.
-If I need something, being able to simply go to the store and get it. Explaining to my boyfriend why I couldn't just go into the mall and get a winter coat was embarrassing. Not being able to buy emergency clothes in Central America.. ugh. Packing light and buying clothes wherever I travel to would be a real possibility.
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-Theme park rides. I love roller coasters, and the last time I went, it was touch and go whether or not I fit in the seat.
-Boots that fit my calves!
-Skydiving
-Being able to do more than a couple sets of stairs without my knees starting to hurt
-Enough room to snuggle comfortably on the couch with my boyfriend
-GoRuck Tough!!
Anyway.. that's me! My name is Rio and I'm starting this journey now. I'm telling very few people in my life..my direct coworkers, my wonderful, supportive boyfriend, and a couple of close friends. I'm not close with most of my family, and I know there will be a lot of judgment there, so I've chosen to not tell them. I'm trying not to go overboard and over-prepare.. already looking at bariatric plates, collagen cream for loose skin.. lol. When I'm excited, I prepare (I've mostly contained myself, but I did try a Protein drink powder and I bought a cute bento bowl for my lunches). I'm about two months away from surgery with no firm date set yet. I'll be getting sleeved at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. I am just one EGD and two classes away from my workup being completed.
Edited by Ruth1ess