NSV: Great visit with my Doctor

GiveMeCoffee

So 2 months ago my doctor and I set a goal that if I lost 25 pounds before my appointment, he wouldn't charge me for the visit. Well I came up 1 pound short. But I'm definitely good with that. I've come such a long way in 7 months. His comment when he saw me was "Wow you look like a totally new person!"

Spending Christmas in the hospital was what made it click for me, I had spent the last year of my life absolutely miserable. The only time I went out of the house was to see a doctor and get more medicines that were just creating new problems for me.

Sitting in a frame on my desk is the restrictions my doctor put me on in January that says Do not stand for more then 5 minutes at a time, no walking, no lifting over 5 lbs. 24/7 oxygen soon to be started. So my life was struggle to get out of bed, waddle myself to my computer chair and sit here. And I accepted that for over a year! Think it was my worst year ever, I'm too young to be living like this. I keep it right in front of me with a picture of where I was when I started to remind me just how far I've come.

Here's where I started:


Well it clicked I can not continue like this, doctors were trying everything but I was getting worse. I failed a 6 minute walk for a pulmonary function test (I walked for 45 seconds before my heart rate went to 182) So I made the decision its my life and if I want to live my life I damn well better start doing something about it.

That change started with just cleaning up my nutrition some, nothing drastic. Get rid of the cream in my coffee 3 pots a day that's a lot of cream lol Once I started making some small changes in my diet, and got it to where I was eating good delicious foods but not a weeks worth in one sitting. I had dropped a few pounds.

Now I knew I had to move some, cause I was as sedentary as you can be. So I set an alarm on my email that said GET OFF YOUR A** stand up. At first I would stand up once an hour not for long but I would do it. That's all just stand. Then I started walking around the house. Now my favorite I got a mini bike, under my desk I pedaled for 3 minutes and thought I would die. Breathing treatments like crazy to do it, heart rate scary levels but I did it. This evolved into getting a new stationary bike, once I wore out the mini bike, now I ride 10-30 miles and I love it. I've completed 30 Day Shred, now am starting to lift, nothing serious but more then just lifting my coffee cup.

Ok well now that I've made you read all of that let's get to the medical improvement which is my main focus:

Last time I saw my pulmonologist was in May:

24 pounds lost since May 17th, in January I was on 14 different prescriptions, well that just got lowered to 9! (I'm not counting the antibiotics lol)

BP
February 131/104
May 17th 117/81
Today 106/62

Resting Heart Rate
February 146
May 17th 91
Today: 71

Oxygen level
February 92
May 17th 96
Today: 94 (but I also found out I have strep throat, sinus and ear infections) 6 months ago that would have probably landed me in the Emergency room

We made the same deal for my next appointment which is in 3 months October 22nd the new goal is 30 pounds for the free visit! Will I get there? I don't know but I will work my butt off every day to aim for that goal, because I know every pound I lose is putting me 1 step closer to being healthier!



If you read all this I'm sorry! But, one thing to remember nothing is impossible!

“Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It's a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.” –Muhammad Ali

SkinnyMel78

Amazing! You are such an inspiration! You should be very proud of yourself.

lifechanger30

THE BEST NSV I HAVE READ SO FAR!!! Amazing, cannot wait to read another success story from you :drinker:

tazzy2911

Jen you are simply amazing and inspirational! Great work lady!

CindyRip

You have taken some small changes and morphed them into incredible accomplishments. When I look at your story, it serves to remind me that committing to change no matter how small (seemingly) is the beginning of a whole new life. That said " 1 pound" you should have listened to me (grins). Awesome day for you and an even better NSV.

GiveMeCoffee

You have taken some small changes and morphed them into incredible accomplishments. When I look at your story, it serves to remind me that committing to change no matter how small (seemingly) is the beginning of a whole new life. That said " 1 pound" you should have listened to me (grins). Awesome day for you and an even better NSV.

Yes I should have listened to you and stripped before getting on the scale lol Cindy you inspire me every day we're both going to be healthier and really start living life!

GiveMeCoffee

THE BEST NSV I HAVE READ SO FAR!!! Amazing, cannot wait to read another success story from you :drinker:

Thank you!!

GiveMeCoffee

Jen you are simply amazing and inspirational! Great work lady!

Thanks hun!! One day I'll be out there beating my hubby in tennis too!

JoelleAnn78

This is truly inspiring! Amazing dedication and the changes in your BP and O2 are incredible! Astounding success!

abeare

Amazing! Be proud of yourself!

michellechawner

This is fabulous!!!!

JUST WOW!

Sometimes you need to take the small steps to get to the bigger picture - I did when I was diagnosed with Fibro. I was in so much pain, I could barely walk 10 steps without my muscles feeling like they were on fire. I too was on restrictive duty at work. Only allowed to stand 5 minutes every hour, no lifting anything over 10 pounds.

Now, i'm working in the work warehouse lifting 30 pound boxes daily, walking on lunch breaks, and feel GREAT. they are talking about reducing my medications too!

I can't wait to see where you are in October!

GiveMeCoffee

Amazing! You are such an inspiration! You should be very proud of yourself.

Thank you!!! I'm very proud and also very thankful for my wonderful MFP friends that helped push me every day!

melissan84

amazing progress, so proud of you girl!!

GiveMeCoffee

This is fabulous!!!!

JUST WOW!

Sometimes you need to take the small steps to get to the bigger picture - I did when I was diagnosed with Fibro. I was in so much pain, I could barely walk 10 steps without my muscles feeling like they were on fire. I too was on restrictive duty at work. Only allowed to stand 5 minutes every hour, no lifting anything over 10 pounds.

Now, i'm working in the work warehouse lifting 30 pound boxes daily, walking on lunch breaks, and feel GREAT. they are talking about reducing my medications too!

I can't wait to see where you are in October!

Thank you!! That's awesome thank you for the inspiration!! Hope to hear your medications get reduced!

MFPRat

Congratulations! I am so proud of you!

26banker

good inspiration

sandikegz

And this is why you are one of my favorite MFP's!!! Truly amazing transformation. Keep up the good work, you can do ANYTHING you put your mind to and you are living proof!!!!

rhondaec

This is definitely a NSV and more.... This is so inspirational...I don't know you but i'm so proud of you. Way to go!!!

hproskie

So inspiring! You look great- it looks like you're aging in reverse!

jenncaroon

Good for you! Your doc must be pretty awesome! He or she obviously cares for you as a person not just a patient. But you, the success is yours. Thanks for sharing your journey...so inspiring!

srgtbiggles

Wow, outstanding progress! You are really committed to change and it shows!

GiveMeCoffee

Thanks Everyone!! Yes I have a wonderful doctor, I got very lucky finding him.

mytime6630

WOw Jen! Reading your story made me cry. You are doing so amazing, and here I am, struggling to get 40 lbs off. You have such motivation and discipline! I am so very proud to call you my friend, and I am in awe of your determination. I am sure you have inspired so many people, including myself, to work hard for the life you want and deserve.

so very very proud of you!

phw426

All I can say is WOW

GiveMeCoffee

WOw Jen! Reading your story made me cry. You are doing so amazing, and here I am, struggling to get 40 lbs off. You have such motivation and discipline! I am so very proud to call you my friend, and I am in awe of your determination. I am sure you have inspired so many people, including myself, to work hard for the life you want and deserve.

so very very proud of you!

I'm inspired by you and all my MFP friends everyday! We have to work hard and fight for the life we deserve because we are worth it! Don't you ever forget that you are worth it!

DaniKaren

Way to go, Jen! You are an inspiration!

GiveMeCoffee

Thanks Dani!!! I'm excited to see where we all are in 3 months :drinker:

ncmedic201

Awesome NSV!! Congrats on coming off 5 of your meds and the excellent improvements to your vitals!!!!

LuckyMunky

That's amazing!! Fantastic! Incredible! :flowerforyou:

Seriously great NSV! I know what it's like to live with an illness, to try and lose weight when you feel so restricted.. it isn't easy but you're doing it!!

kjwalker59

Thank you for sharing your story. You are so brave! Congrats for making it half way to your goal. I know what a hard journey it is but doesn't it fell great to be half way to the finish line? We will all be cheering for you come October - we know you can do it!!

momjmd

Absolutely amazing!!!!!! Be so proud of yourself!!!! I know that you can reach that 30 lb goal- you are motivated to succeed!