Disabled, hard to walk, yet losing weight (so far lost 119 LBS) do not give up please.

WOW this has been one of the hardest things I've ever done!! AND YET also one of the BEST things I've done. I started out at 288 LBS and am now at 169.

At 288 I mostly used my power chair. If you are disabled, and I am, losing weight is that harder! I have so much support, believe me it's very needed, necessary!!

At first I'd in my bed, and just move my arms a little, and my legs a little. I have use of my legs, it was my back issues, along with almost 300 lbs of weight on them that kept them from working well. I had moved from Maine to Colorado where I got help to line up my spine. From there I needed to needed to do core exercises to build up the muscles I'd need to walk successfully.

Oh the tears I shed, the amount of times I thought "This is NOT POSSIBLE!" I was so horribly depressed on top of it all.

In Maine I overlook the harbor ,, it has a walking path. I SO BADLY wanted to walk this path down to Bug Light. That was something I never really thought I'd be capable of, it's 1.5 mile from where I live, so 3 miles in all with coming back home. At first I'd be outside and walked only 3 steps, the next time 5 , next time 10, and I kept on going. The first time I walked a BLOCK I was so shocked!! I also LOL had hard time getting home. I COULD of called for a ride, but i was determined so I rested and somehow did so! It took me THREE YEARS but, right before the pandemic LOOK I DID IT!!
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That was in 2018. I had wanted to think "OH COOL I've got this now!!" BUT NAH!!

Life has a way of trying to keep us where we are or worse off. Since that time I've broken my feet a number of times. I've had 2 more foot surgeries. At this time I am in congestive heart failure plus fighting a bone infection (left foot). But you what? I am a leader and member of the 2022 Spring 5% Challenge. I COULD NOT let my team down!! BUT I also have to honor my body. How can one do that? When walking is so painful?

Chair exercises, not using the left foot! Stretching ones and chair yoga. Chair yoga? YOU BETCHA!! I have some regular yoga ones I also enjoy, but those I modify for sitting down also.

My Mom raised me with the "WHERE'S THERE'S A WILL, THERE'S A WAY" thinking. She wasn't wrong (well okay flapping my arms no matter how HARD I TRY I do not fly!! LOL that will NOT STOP me though from trying! LOL).

I've been with the 5% Challenge for so many years, all thru that time so many things have happened. Though many of it physically not for my real benefit, the depression has GONE by the wayside, as I lost the weight, my confidence (remember please I was and AM in therapy) has come back fully, I can actually say I love who I am. That was a lonnnggg time in coming!! I have maybe another 20 ish lbs to go. I'll know as I go. It may take me 3 more years to do so, but I'm NOT letting it go, I am not settling for where I am at though my body is also so cool!! It can do amazing things like I can put my foot on my head!!
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Somethings are so far out of my control, but MANY THINGS ARE STILL in my control. I've signed up for the 2022 Fall 5% Challenge because it helps me weekly to work on 2 healthy habits (they change from week to week, can be drinking water, can be tracking food, can be having a good sleep routine, can be no random eating it does vary) but these REALLY help me so much plus of course exercise. MORE so my team is there 100% for me, me for them. ALL 8 teams are there for each other, and on the 5% ALL teams are also supportive of each other.

Would you like to join us and write your own success story? COME AND JOIN US!! You'll find the motivation you are looking for. Here's an older pic of a before and now (my hair is different now, but the weight was 2 LBS Less (its a over a year old, sorry no updated ones I can find easily, but the weight and body are the same!) my glasses are also different.
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Here's the link to join us on the 2022 Fall 5% Challenge

After hitting JOIN please read: 💡💡Start Here Team Choice - You Must Choose a Team💡💡

https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/143596-2022-fall-5-challenge-team-plz-join-us

Replies

  • Dianedoessmiles1
    Dianedoessmiles1 Posts: 14,000 Member
    All comments welcomed.
  • IAmTheGlue
    IAmTheGlue Posts: 701 Member
    Congratulations on reclaiming your life! Absolutely astonishing what you have done.
  • Dianedoessmiles1
    Dianedoessmiles1 Posts: 14,000 Member
    IAmTheGlue wrote: »
    Congratulations on reclaiming your life! Absolutely astonishing what you have done.

    Awww TY TY TY TY!!! Amazing what we can do when we set our minds to it. I do stand a pretty good chance at losing my foot/lower leg. I'll get through that also. Hmmm maybe change my name to Peggy Walker? LOL Humor is sick, but yet,,,,, It keeps me going.