facing addiction, seeking friends, advice..

Richard323

Addiction, resurrection,
And the Journey.

Please forgive if I slip a foul word into my
Writing. ;-)

My name is Richard Getchell, everyone calls me Rich, or Big Richie. I have two children, and a loving woman standing behind me. So you may ask what the hell my problem is?

This is the begining of my story, well the beginging on a new chapter.. I'm hoping to find folks who are in the same boat.. If there is anyone. Read, comment, add me as a friend, or at the least please enjoy.

I’m fat, which in and of itself isn’t a huge problem. The problem is, I no longer wish to be. I’ve struggled with addiction my whole life. I never knew it, but it was there. Then in my teen years it came flying out like a caged animal. Addicted to drugs, prescriptions, over the counter, alcohol. You name it, I’ve had alcohol poisoning 5-7 times before the age of 18. I almost died, twice that I can remember. Thankfully I met the woman I’m with today and found myself with a child on the way. Now I knew what I was doing but up until that point I had no cares. That child, who is now my son Richard. Named after his father gave me reason to live, reason to change. I quit, one day cold turkey and never looked back. I never really quit though, I just turned my addiction to other things. One of those things being food. I put on some weight, now I’ve always been a heavy guy, and I’ve always drank, so I wasn’t small to start, but after I quit partying I must have put on about 50-60lbs. I’m now Twenty-Two years old. I pass for thirty-five, I have heart problems, liver problems, and my kidneys aren’t functioning as well as they should.
I’ve lost twenty pounds, however I had a weekend of drinking and food with family and put two pounds back on. I’m really struggling with the motivation factor here. I have all the reasons in the world to do this. Every step of the way has been a fight, I’m also a diabetic so the change in eating has caused huge problems with that aspect. The added stress from that and the lifestyle change has been pushing on the heart factor as well. So, guess my real question is, somewhere out there in the world of myfitnesspal, is there anyone who has faced, or is facing the same thing? I see a lot of people trying to lose weight, working towards being healthy, etc. etc. Which is wonderful, but I’d really like to find and hear stories and or become friends with people going though the same type of situation as me for added support along the way. Also anyone who reads this feels like throwing comments, tips, tricks, or helpful hints my way please I’d love to hear all. This is the start of my story, my journey. Please feel free to add me as a friend and follow my Blog posts to come, which will tell the tale of my journey both past and present.
Thanks.

Proverbs31Lady

I haven't experienced anything like you are/have.... and unfortunately, I don't have any advice or tips other than the "one day at a time..." type things. It's certainly not meant to sound trite, but I'm taking the getting healthy/weight loss thing one day a time. I know if I can get through the first half of the day, I only have to handle the second... and I just keep repeating that.

I do think you're incredibly brave for owning up to past wrongs and wanting to make your future better (and that of your family's as well). I'm sure it's petrifying when looking down the barrel of so much change.... however, you have shown up. That's the first step and it's a BIG step. Be thankful you have support and let your supporters (family, friends, etc.) know how much you appreciate them; being a caregiver in nearly any capacity can run you down (this I do know from experience).

I can only sympathize with your struggle.... but, well done so far, Richard. I think it's wise of you to want to build up your support system. Being wise isn't necessarily about not making mistakes, it's about learning from them and making intentional, positive choices to stop the negative cycles. Remember that little victories every day add up.

I hope you're able to get what you're looking for on MFP. Good luck!



ETA: WTG on the 20-ish pounds lost, too!!

graelwyn

Never been on drugs, but I have a very addictive nature. I find it incredibly easy to get addicted to things, whether it be smoking, sleeping pills, laxatives, starving myself, smoking, alcohol, exercise etc. So I can relate to that side of things. Personally, for me, my issues are emotional, I don't know if yours are emotion based, but presume they are, along with perhaps being naturally predispositioned to getting addicted. I have never been overweight really, but I have a love hate relationship with food and am very much an all or nothing person. I hope you find the answers you are looking for, especially having a child now. And congratulations on kicking the other addictions you had, that is an achievement even if you turned to food afterwards.

bikhi

When i was at my doctor's office in january she diagnosed me as diabetic and wanted to start me on insulin that day.

I don't do needles...at all, so i begged her to give me a chance to lose weight and get my blood glucose down. Started metformin that day, cut back on my eating, started working out and gave up margaritas for now.

My husband of 25 years died last july from lung cancer after a 3 year battle. It was not an easy marriage because he drank and had a temper. He never hit me but there were some scary times. I was not able to keep my house so i put most of my things in storage and at the age of 56 moved in with my parents. They are in their late eighties and they needed my help anyway.

I've lost 50 pounds from my heaviest and 30 pounds this year. I have a lot more to lose but my glucose levels are normal now and i have avoided insulin.

i was drinking like crazy after my husband died. if i can change, you can. you have a lot more reasons to change than i did. i don't have children.

jodycoady

PRAY....I'm not a religious zealot and I'm not going to preach, but since I started praying regularly, my life has been DRAMA FREE...and I've done everything you have! honestly.