8 Months of making myself a priority!

Finally decided in January that I was important, my health was important and I could change. In 2012 I was hospitalized 4 times for a minimum of 6 days each time, for thing that a 41 year old should not be dealing with. My doctors were discussing 24/7 oxygen, home health aides, etc. It was a very depressing and scary time in my life. I couldn't finish a 6 minute pulmonary function walk test because my heart rate skyrocketed to over 185 in under 30 seconds, and my oxygen levels crashed. It was not looking likely that I would be around much longer at the rate I was going, and even if I did my life consisted of getting out of bed waddling to my computer chair, and not moving unless I had to use the bathroom, then back to bed.

Well my last hospital stay was over Christmas 2012, and I had the meanest ICU nurse ever, god I hated her then. She was my overnight nurse, and she said to me "If you weren't so big you would feel better". I was so hurt when she said it, it couldn't be my fault I was so sick. Well that night I didn't sleep at all because I was so mad, by morning I had calmed down enough and to admit she was right. That was the moment I decided I had enough, and I was important, and I could change the direction I was going.

Discharged on December 26th, that day I got home and started tracking my calories. Wow that was an eye opener, found out that first week that my wonderful coffee addiction, which yes I still have, but then I was drinking it with light cream (a quart or so a day) and 1 sweet n low of course cause that made it all better. But my coffee intake alone in a day was over 1000 calories, not counting if I stopped at Dunkin Donuts for my Xlarge extra light coffee and the afternoon iced latte. So, the first month I switched to 1% milk in the coffee wow I lost weight! Now, I still drink about 2 pots of coffee a day but I like it black cause I much prefer eating my calories then drinking them. From then on I just made 1 small change at a time, because it worked. I learned portion control never thought I would say that. I don't need a whole pizza, 2 slices is plenty. Who would have thought that!

Next came the exercise, this was more of a mental hurdle for me. I have doctor notes saying I'm not allowed to stand for more then 5 minutes, how am I going to exercise. Well a good friend of mine told me about a mini bike that I could sit in my computer chair and peddle. Another friend shared some great arm exercises I could do while sitting. I could just stand up for a minute each hour. For me that was exercise and after I was done I looked like I ran a marathon. But we all have to start somewhere. From that little mini bike, I finally wore the poor thing out and got a great stationary bike. Crank up the music and pedal away, the bike has become an addiction for me, I get on there and I can work out so many frustrations, problems, etc.

Well from that little mini bike to now 8 months total so far, now I've started running, biking outside, lifting weights. I devote a minimum of 1 hour a day to me, nothing else matters but what I need. If that's to get my workout in, to read a book, to do whatever I need to do for me and my happiness, because I'm worth it!

I still have another 50 or so pounds to lose, I'm not really sure what my goal weight is, because I don't focus on a set number what I want and strive for is becoming a stronger, healthier and happier person. Can I do more push ups this week then last month, can I shave some time off my biking. Those are my goals. My next year goal is to do a tough mudder with a good friend of mine and I will do it!

Sorry this has gotten so long, but it's been a fantastic 8 months with struggles of course, but overall it's been fun. Every day is a new adventure. Now for some pictures.

The purple shirt was the day after I got out of the hospital, the red sports bra was 2 days ago! 76 lbs lost and so much more gained. I have confidence, a purpose and I am important!



So if anyone tells you you can't do it, yes you can! Just make yourself a priority! Hope this can inspire one person that might be struggling.