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Friday, January 2, 2015

Better Health in 2015


Happy New Year and best wishes for a successful 2015.  This year will be a success for me if I am able to lose a significant amount of weight and manage my diabetes better.  With over 250 pounds to lose, even losing fifty pounds would let me know that progress in the right direction has occurred. My main goal for 2015 is to end the year healthier than I am now.

2014 was another bust as far as weight loss goes. In fact, I gained a few pounds.  When I weighed in this past Sunday, the scale read 399.8 pounds.  Yikes!  Double Yikes!  This is the most I have ever weighed and I want to keep it that way.  I can feel the recent weight gain too.  I feel it in my knees and lower back.  Not a great feeling, so I need to make a change. 

2014 has to be my most inactive year ever.  Since January 2008, I have been wearing a pedometer daily.  Each year thereafter my steps have decreased with this year's tally being the lowest ever.  Looking at the numbers remind me of what I already know.  I have been sitting on my butt the majority of my time and not out and about living life to the fullest.  My husband made a comment  recently telling me that I don't go anywhere. He's right. Besides going to work, stopping by a restaurant on the way home or to appointments, I hardly go anywhere.  I stopped going to the movies, grocery or other shopping and turn down invitations if they will put me in public places or require too much exertion on my part.  I've always wondered how people became so large that they were home-bound or bedridden.  Maybe this is how it starts.  Slowly but surely deciding to stay home rather than getting out of the lazy boy and going places.  Since I don't want that kind of life and I am not fully enjoying the way I live now,  I need to take action and start moving and going out more, no matter how uncomfortable it is at first.  

Knowing what I need to do and doing it are two completely different things.  Here's to taking action in 2015!  Best wishes to all.

17 comments:

  1. Oh LTR, I don't want you to die. Please find some small ways, in the beginning, to make some positive changes. Anything now, any little thing that you can sustain, is where you need to start. As you get stronger, you can be better. Just please don't put it off any longer. :(

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  2. Glad to see an update from ya, Rolli, even if it's "bad news"...
    I don't want you to die either - one day at a time, one HOUR at a time starting out - any type of movement has helped to keep me from sinking into depression/further weight gain. This has been my 1st holiday season in many years in which I simply MAINTAINED & that's a tremendous victory for me w/the morbid obesity in my family tree...

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  3. LTR--This is a wonderful post to read. Thank you!!! You mentioned wondering how people get to the point of being home bound exclusively--and oh my, yes-- You've recognized exactly what I did at one point during my regain... All of those things you mentioned--- I didn't want to be seen in public--please, no pictures!!! I isolated--stayed to myself---and the weight just kept coming---It was horrible.
    Breaking the pattern--and saying "enough!" Is a very big deal. And that's what I'm getting from your words.
    You're coming alive in ways you haven't lately. As you do, you're in for some wonderful moments and milestones. Slow and steady, my friend. As Val suggested---One day at a time--one hour at a time if need be.
    This is your time, LTR. I raise my coffee mug to you this morning--Here's to an incredible 2015!! I look forward to reading more!

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  4. You're right... Even 50 pounds would be wonderful for your health. How determined are you? How drastic are you willing to act? Is it time to get rid of the lazy-boy? What do you do in the lazy-boy? TV? Perhaps you can ONLY watch tv if you are standing? Pacing around the living room? Take a lap around the house and earn 1/2 hour of TV?

    Honestly, a few years ago, I could realistically see myself becoming someone so large that I couldn't function. At that point in my life I was eating my anger, eating my frustration, eating to punish myself.

    I've realized something recently... just because I want something, just because my mind tells me that I want cake, I don't have to have it. Just having the thought isn't wrong...it's normal. Our bodies crave sugar, our bodies crave the easy way. It's almost as if we are of two minds... The other mind that knows we must value our health, says no, I'm not going to listen to you right now.

    I KNOW it's easier said than done, I hear the desire in your voice. I hear that you want to help yourself.

    I am pulling for you, I am in your corner, and I wish you only the best in 2015. You can find your way!

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  5. I'm glad to see you post. It shows you haven't given up. You have tenacity. Remember that. This will be a better year for you. Small changes – don't take on too much at once, OK? Small successes lead to HUGE successes over time! Do check out Katie's blog – www.runsforcookies.com. She has some great advice on setting goals one can live with.

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  6. There you are LTR! So glad you made it back! If I were to have written down about my life last year ... it would have sounded so much like yours ... trapped in the house by my own making ... letting the world pass me by. Then I made a plan ... I have modified it a few times, I've ignored it a few times, but because I have a plan ... Every morning I wake up and I know what I'm doing ... because I have a master plan!

    So what is your plan? It all starts with a plan and I can't wait to hear what yours is!

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  7. I was going to ask "So, what's your plan" too - like it seems many have already done.

    I'm going to ask something else instead: have you talked to your doctor about other help? Is there a reason you're no longer going anywhere, or is it really just the thought of being seen at this weight? I only ask because I actually have issues with social phobia and such, and if not forced to go out and live my life, I'd probably live in my pajamas permanently. It's something I have to battle, almost like I'm living every day like a sick day unless I make the change and force it to be different. Sometimes that's simply situational and can be changed, and sometimes it's depression or anxiety and we need a little help. My issues are not yours, obviously, but I'll just throw that out there just in case.

    Kick some butt this year! You CAN do this. Literally, you CAN. It's simply a matter of WILL you? Whether it's 20 lbs or 250, it's all the same question. All you have to do is say yes and follow through! :)

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  8. Glad you've found your way back to blogging. There is lots to learn and some good advise out there. Start with a plan and take it slow just keep moving forward and tweak as you go. Just don't stop! I can relate to what you wrote but it does get better if you push through your own barriers and walls!

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  9. I have said and thought all the same things and reached my highest of 345 at 5 ft 2. . My desire not to be homebound or to be stuck in a wheelchair is what has driven me. You are not alone, and I hear the desire to change. Very good.
    If you can start by just moving even if it is only walking in place and lifting weights with a Campbell soup can in side your home or then in your back yard. Start slow, start with a minimal amount of time and work up from there. Look up SMART goals to set goals for this. if you need to start at one minute..then start at one minute. Work up from there. You will then feel better and more confident. When you feel safe and confident enough inside your house or your yard, then walk outside. Even if it has to be early morning or at night. As you improve here you will go further and feel less afraid.
    When I started at 345, I wasn't moving much. I walked in my neighborhood and my yard. I joined a Curves for women only and would start losing large amounts of weight at first. Your body will respond. Of course, I have to say that a doctors ok to exercise should be considered first. good luck

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  10. There are folks who care, who can relate in some way to your story. Let us know how we can help. I see my MIL, who is not too far away from a nursing home due to poor health. It isn't too late to take the first step down a better path!

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  11. Great to see you post, LTR! That means that you have hope (and even though I've never commented on your blog, I have been following you, and have hope for you as well!)

    What I have personally experienced is it's so important to have a plan - something that is specific, and that you will actually follow. The program that I follow involves eating every 2-3 hours, drinking lots of water, moving a bit more, and connecting with a free health coach. All while learning (and most importantly, applying) habits that will help ensure I can maintain my weight loss, and the health level that I'm achieving. It's been incredibly motivating for me to stay on my program when I know I have someone whose sole role in my journey is to encourage me, and provide support and an added level of accountability.

    I believe so much in this program, and the help that it has provided so many (I have lost 60 pounds so far, and have about 20 more to go), that I decided to become a healthcoach myself. I would love to share more with you if you are interested. Feel free to e-mail me at jessicathehealthcoach@gmail.com

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  12. I am so happy to see you posting again. It's hard, I know. Saying one thing and doing it are two completely different things. This year I decided not to have ten goals for the year - my only goal is to make the best choices every day, and move on. No regret, no looking backward or forward. I am always an email away if you need to vent! mybizzykitchen@gmail.com

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  13. Good to see you posting.

    "Knowing what I need to do and doing it are two completely different things." But you MUST make 2015 the year that you do make the change

    We are all rooting for you and willing you on.

    All the best Jan

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  14. LTR, it seems like we had similar 2014's and I too am beginning to feel the effects of not being very active. I'm going to take it day by day and make 2015 the year that I turn it around. I hope you do the same!

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  15. It is good to see you posting. I too had a horrible 2014 with my weight. It is a daily battle, but it can be won. I know you will feel so much better just to get started and feel progress. I am rooting for you. We can do it!

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  16. Welcome back, YAY! I'm sorry about 2014 :( You're such a trooper! Hang in there.

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  17. I love that resolution! So very simple. Just be healthier. If you always keep that in mind maybe everything else won't be so overwhelming. Fifty pounds would make a difference, but so does one pound. I'm struggling to get back on track to, but we have to. We can do it! 2015 we will get healthier!!

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