Then, in July of 2001, I visited my new General Practitioner. She was incredible! I was wearing a size 16 pants and had just resigned myself to the fact that I would always be a "bigger" person. At the end of my exam she asked if there was anything that I wanted to talk about, I burst into tears and started my rambling about my weight. She looked at me and said two words that I will never forget, "You're fat!". My blood pressure was high (which in the past had always been picture perfect) and she decided that it was time to check my cholesterol. (I never took care of myself - only others!) After the crying, she said that I must try and do this myself first. No medications, just sheer will power, personally, I thought she was nuts!!! Who would pass up a pill to work for it? I explained that I ate grilled chicken and vegetables, salads and etc. She said she didn't doubt that, but, the key was HOW MUCH?..........
Armed with literature designed specifically for a diabetic meal plan (although I am not diabetic), the fact that someone else had taken an interest in my weight, and a daily caloric intake value, I left my doctors office and headed straight for Target to buy a food scale and a journal. That night I started the most incredible trek and it has been enlightening, surprising and FUN the whole trip!!!!
The very next day I started my journal! Absolutely everything that went into my mouth was written down. Every drink and every bite without fail. It was my job to prove her wrong and that I was eating the right foods and the right portions! Boy, was I wrong!
I started taking my breakfast and lunch to work with me. I would weigh my cereal and measure my milk, I started taking Lean Cuisines to work for lunch, and I started portioning and weighing my food for dinner. I would diligently write down my servings of Starches, Vegetables, Fruits, Meats, etc and I was simply amazed! I must say that the first 3 days were a little hairy.....those M & M's looked so damn good!
It is disheartening when you start reading food labels - it really is! You know those little breakfast pastries? The ones that you can put in a toaster and all the kids pack them for breakfast? You know, the one that kinda sound like "Stop Hearts" (he he) well, I refer to those as evil and diabolical!!! Folks, stop and read labels! It is one of your best lines of defense! Do you realize that they are packaged 2 servings to a package? Yes - that's right - 2!!! So, if you should consume one of those efficiently packaged little delights you are eating 400 calories. 400!! Now, I don't know about you, but, I can think of much more satisfying ways to use up 400 calories!
I became an avid label reader!
I also immediately stopped drinking soda. What was the point? Again, each serving was at minimum 120 calories! Just think 2 sodas and a package of pastries and I was up to 640 calories. Now, that's my breakfast and lunch combined!!!
By the time of my next doctor's visit in September (9/11 to be exact) I had lost 12 lbs. What? Her scales must have been wrong!!! My blood pressure was coming down and we had decided to wait to re check the cholesterol to give us more time to correct the damage that had already been done. However, this time I was given the instructions to not only count my calories, but, to start counting fat grams as well. I added a new column to my journal and away I went.
By the end of October I had really got the hang of all of this. At times, I no longer needed my scales since I could judge a portion now out of habit. (I do ocassionaly bring it out to be sure that I haven't been slipping up) I had started eating vegetables that I never liked, fruits were now my snacks and water was my best friend!
In Novemeber I had another visit and I was astonished! I had lost another 14 lbs. I was now at 143lbs and was back into a Size 12. Hhmmm...maybe there was something to be said for all of this "portion control" and eating healthy! My blood pressure was completely back to normal - 120/80!! So, we made another appointment for January of 2002.
I made it through Christmas with flying colors! I had surrounded myself with pictures of the really "fat" me in my journal and on my work badge. It was working! I am not saying that I didn't indulge a little here and there, but, I knew my limits!
In January I made my way to my doctors office once again. This time, we checked cholesterol! My weight was down to 132lbs and blood pressure was still great. Now, I was told to start adding fiber to my diet. That made things a little tricky since most things that are high in fiber are a "little" higher in calories. I wasn't worried - I knew I was up for it! So, off I went again with my next appointment now not until June.
About a week after that January visit I got my little note card with my cholesterol result - below 200!!! I had done it!!! I had really done it!
So, here it is May 13th, 2002. I am now at 118lbs and on my way to 110lbs. I start a Cardio class tonight and have started lifting weights at night to get rid of this ugly flab that is on my arms that is such a constant reminder. I have just this weekend gotten rid of all the Size 10 - 16 clothes in my closet and replaced them with .......
SIZE 6
I hope that those of you that read this story take just a few things with you. You Can Do It! You really can!!! I was so skeptical and so lazy! But, I took control! I took control of my life! Do I still pull the scales out? Yes Do I still take Lean Cuisines to work? Yes
Now, the harder questions.....
Do I eat cake? Yes
Do I drink and ocassional beer? Yes
Do I eat brownies? What would life be like without them I ask you!!!!!
I eat anything and everything I want but all in moderation! There are limits, of course! But, there is a much healthier me and a much happier me!
I wish each and everyone of you success in your journey and anyone is more than welcome to email me! You must have support of friends, family and peers!
UPDATE
Well, here it is - the end of October, 2002. Guess what? The flab is gone from my arms. I am at 115lb and my cholesterol is at 170. I rule!
I still want to try for that 110 - I'll get there. Hope to hear from you all soon! Tell me what other tools you would like to see here! What do you need for support and motivation?
