by Diet Diva » August 21st, 2005, 2:41 pm
Wow!
You folks are the absolute best. Thanks soooooo much for all the positives. Some of you asked great questions and I'll try to answer them.
The first one was regarding how did I lose the 70+ lbs. before mfast, and then what promted me to switch to medifast....The answer is simple. I made the committment to do a healthy diet and exercise program and I was truly one bizillion percent committed. The challenge was, as many of you know, the progress was slow. When you are in the starting range of 300+ pounds, it can be devastating to go at a rate of .5 to 1 lb. a week, even when you do "all the right things." For me it was a matter of timing. I came across the medifast site and liked what I saw. I believed that it would help me really through that long dark tunnel...and it has. So by the time the UPS dropped my first medibox of grub, I was rearing to go. I knew this would get me to the finish line.
Another question was what keeps me going? That's simple too. I made the decision that I needed to live in integrity. To do that I needed to honor committment to myself and be the best I could be. I saw a bumper sticker once that said "This is not a dress rehearsal." You know, we all get one stab at it and I decided I was not going to sit on the sidelines anymore. Life is just too darn short, and we don't know what amazing things God has planned for us. I knew I didn't want to miss out when a plan came along and I was physically unable to step up to the plate. I have also dreamed of doing a triathlon for years now....that big goal to get to the starting line has really done it for me. I am just that much closer. I used to have a screen saver on my computer that read "It's never too late to be what you might have been...." Yeah, it's never too late. It's as simple as putting one foot right in front of the other.
Years ago I was physically active and then when the weight piled on, the activity stopped and so started a vicious cycle. As a 300+ lb. woman I remember trying to enroll in a yoga class, thinking that it would be a low impact way to get physically active again as I started my original weight loss phase. It was humiliating and painful as the yoga instructor suggested I "find a more appropriate exercise class for people like me." It was devastating. The instructor was obviously uncomfortable with large students in her class, and had never dealt with any weight issues herself. I was bound and determined not to let that stop me so I found another yoga instructor that supported me. Over the years I have continued to do yoga and love how it keeps me fit, strong, and well oxygenated. My husband reminds me that there are no accidents in life and even that painful lesson has a purpose...He is strongly encouraging me to actually become a yoga instructor myself so I can start a program for large sized yoga wanna-be students. I am considering it. I know there are many large people that want to start a fitness program but are intimidated and scared. I would love to someday create a 'soft, safe place' for those just like me. So that's a bit about a painful time in my life that actually fueled my desire to get more fit so I could someday empower others like me.
As far as secrets....there are none. Nope, no shortcuts either. It's simple--we are in control of what goes into our bodies. I absolutely refused to let a food addiction rule my life. I no longer anesthetize my life or emotions by running to the fridge or eating the wrong foods at the wrong time. I guess I was tired of living in the fog of a food-induced sugar/fat/carb coma. I wasn't really living then- I was just going thru the motions. Medifast really helped me get that under control. Now I'm not saying that it has been easy, and yes I have eaten my "free celery sticks" and just accidently dipped them in a spoonful of peanut butter...(Oh my how I long for peanut butter!!!) yeah, I'm just being honest...but have I face planted into a tub of lasagna? No, I believe those days are long gone. So I've learned a lot along the way as you all have as well. It's amazing how in control you feel when you can eat your 4 cookies made from a Medifast oatmeal pack, and enjoy them with a cup of coffee and feel that life is good. I feel incredibly strong, and yes life is good.
Thanks for the encouragement. I'll think about getting brave and posting the pics...Maybe by the time I make it to my triathlon I'll send all the cool pics of me at the finish line. I really can't wait.
Take care all, and thanks againg for all the encouragement. Bless all of you.
Diet Diva