What Changed Your Mind?

unmitigatedbadassery

What was the event or moment that made you realize that you needed to change and put you on this path?

Mine was very specific.

In 2008 my mom was diagnosed with melanoma. Over the course of 2 years it had spread to her lungs and brain. There was nothing else the doctor could do.

Knowing that she wouldn't be around much longer, I went to visit her in AR. She wasn't herself since the tumors had affected her brain but she knew who I was. Most of the time. One day I was in her room sitting with her and she, apparently forgetting that I was her son, said "I wish Arron would take his health more seriously. I really worry about him. I don't want him to die."

I had to leave the room because the emotions were just too much. I had to go back home the next day but what she said stuck in my head and still does. She passed a week later. When I was up for the funeral my grandma told me that she talked about me a lot over the last few months. She was so worried about me and my health, especially after I had a stroke at 27. It really bothered me that I had caused her to worry so much while she was going through all of this.

I began eating healthier when I got home but it was half-assed. A few months later I participated in the local Relay For Life as a committee member and team captain. During the moment of silence where hundreds of candles are lit I swear I heard her voice telling me I needed to change my life. I remember answering her with "I will." I may have even said it out loud. From that day I've been faithful to my promise. I WILL change my life and it has already started.

xhellokittycatx

How touching!! My Uncle passed away from melanoma.

For me, I was getting very bad head aches. I went to the doctors who specialize in this field. He told me my headaches could possibly be from me being overweight. He told me he wanted me to go for a MRI to make sure nothing was seriously wrong with me. Based off of what I told him, he thought it had a lot to do with depression because of my weight.

Then he asked me weight and I just made up a number because I really didn't want to say it. He told me he would have to call and see if I could fit being so heavy. That hit me like a Mac truck. At this point I wanted to just cry. He asked me to go downstairs and see if I fit.

But before I left, he asked if I ever thought about gastric bypass. I told him I have but my Mom is really against it and I felt on some ways it is the easy way out. He told me he would write me a letter if I ever needed one to help my process. He was so pushy about it. I left that doctors office mad and in tears. Didn't see if I could into the MRI or not. I was pissed.

I went home and cried for days. Then the more I thought about it the more I wanted the surgery. I got information on it and found a doctor in my area. Went to a class on it. Took care of all my lab work, EKG, mental doctors appointment, sleep study, chest X-ray and something they didn't ask me to do but I did because I wanted too. I had a vascular study done to my legs. They say one of the causes of death in gastric bypass is blood clots. Anyone reading this and thinking of doing that should ask there doctor to do this. So important. I also had to loose 25 pounds before being granted surgery.

I signed up at a gym and started to work out three times a week for two hours a day. The weight was sliding off. Four days before my surgery I canceled my surgery. I knew I could do it myself.

I had knee surgery to try to fix the pain I was having and my knee got infected some how. Got a bad infection that put me on the hospital for five days. I went through hell and back. Seriously. I am still working at losing weight and I never will give up! I will reach my goal!!

Wow that was a lot!!

Ichbinceiling

Wow, your story... I have no words. Thats truly inspirational in so many ways.

My turning point was when I went into a store with my best friend (who was then a size 18). We went jean shopping and I couldn't fit into a size 24. That was the biggest size they had! I said enough was enough.

AliciaV30

I'm very sorry for your loss. Your story was very touching.

I don't know if I ever really had a meaningfull turning point. I had my son in 2009 and have been meaning to get on the ball and loose the weight but having a new baby is hard especially with no family of friends to help me at all with my son. My husband barely held him when he was home from work let alone let me take a shower on my own so I had no help. (we moved to AR when my son was 2 weeks old). We started trying again for another baby this past Feb but nothings happened because my husband takes a bunch of medication for his bad back. I figured there was no point in loosing weight if I was gonna get prego again. But when it didn't happen I finally decided to get on it and loose weight. We are still trying to get prego but I don't see it happening any time soon.

Not very inspirational at all lol sorry.

Alicia

Scorpioangel

For me it was when my blood pressure was constantly around 171/110. My doctor was going to put me on blood pressure medicine. I was out of breath walking up 6 steps and felt tired all of the time. I felt old and haggard and was sick and tired of it. My self confidence was a 1 on a scale of 1 to 10 it sucked. I knew I need to make a change and stop with the excuses.

angel79202

I saw a hideous picture and said..enough is enough!

CouchSpud

Short'n simple... I sm so stressed, thar for the first time in my life I feel like my mental health will suffer, I just know that I need to change my ways, healthy body healthy mind....

christ4life63

Wow I'm speeachless and Thank you for sharing that lovely story, and I'm sorry to hear the passing about your mom, and
I know that was your mom there whispering in your ears, Mijo I know you could do this. And you have already.
I see your doing a great job already. God is with you at all time.
God Bless you and continue moving forward.

Happy Holiday's to you and your love ones and the World.

christ4life63

Hi, I'm proud of you that you didnt do the surgery, That is a very dangerous procedures. You did the right thing by loosing weight on you own, I know its hard, but its all about how determine the person is, which I am right now.
And I'm sorry I don't like your DR, he no respect talking to you like that, but thats me.

I hope your doing better and I know GOD is with you there and your not alone in all this, we all have eachother to support one another.

Happy Holidays to you and your love ones and the world.