Hi, I'm Joan

jwluvscats
jwluvscats Posts: 6 Member
edited February 18 in Introduce Yourself
Ugh. 47 yo F here... going on 95! Feeling miserable. Had car accident 11/2018...hurt and super depressed. Hip will need to be replaced, chronic neck pain. Hypothyroidism. That... covid... dear friends death of cancer... 14 yo daughter high adhd/slight aspergers/growth hormone deficient... single mom. Office manager for strongly growing small business. Tragic and stressful house sale. Stupid court case that hurt us terribly with non participatory, narcissistic dad. Sent me over the edge. Worst 2.3 years... ever. Weight ballooned and I'm...in a word... miserable. Exhausted and haven't slept well this whole time. Need to take control again and remember my beautiful old me! I'm debt free and looking to give healthful example to my girl. This is MY life and God-willing I need to take it back!

Replies

  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 37,977 Community Helper
    Oh, man: You've really been through a lot! Sending you virtual granny hugs from over here!

    I think you're doing wonderfully, taking control of what you can control (increases one's sense of empowerment, as well as moving us closer to goals). You've done great getting debt free, and believe it or not some of the same skills will help you with weight management and fitness: All that stuff about making a plan, then chipping away at a big goal in little steps, persistently and patiently . . . same kind of deal. You are and will be a great example to your daughter!

    I empathize: I had a bad few years in my mid-40s, too (widowed at 42, major career issues, stage 3 cancer myself at 44, death of other close family members over that same few years. . . ); I was obese, seriously out of shape & depleted from cancer and its treatment, and like you I'm hypothyroid. I'm here to tell you that things can improve, and grabbing control where you can is a great way to make it happen. Now 65, I think I'm effectively younger fitness-wise than I was at 45, having become physically active and having used MFP to reach a healthy weight 5 years back.

    You can do this; I'm cheering for you. Wishing you huge success!
  • jwluvscats
    jwluvscats Posts: 6 Member
    AnnPT77,

    Thank you for the kind words and your granny hugs. I appreciate them! Very grateful you have successfully battled cancer to be with us here today. God BLESS you and your journey, sweet one. I also thank you for sharing so candidly.

    I wrote all that and now was looking for a way to delete it. Just felt like I overflowed with TMI, but in a word... I got on here, downloaded this app, did a few "me rebuilding" things today (though I trashed myself food-wise....just SAD)... and honestly, got PISSED at the whole situation and losing me!

    I've been fighting 1,000 battles and now it's time for me to take on the battle for ME. Thank you for the encouragement.

    Now, for the next step ahead... to have a meal plan loaded that's not as embarrassing publicly as today!! Lol. (Nothing like public shaming to stop me from doing stupid things with food to my body!)
  • jwluvscats
    jwluvscats Posts: 6 Member
    AnnPT77,

    BTW... those are your muscles on that profile picture??? Woo hoo... YOU GO GIRL!!! :-)
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 37,977 Community Helper
    Please don't worry about a bad food day. They happen. Log it, let it go, move forward. At most, spend 5 minutes thinking about why things went off track, in case you can learn from that to avoid repeats via an improved plan. Guilt is pointless: Feels yucky, burns no extra calories, not productive. The only thing that stops progress is . . . actually stopping. So keep going. You'll get there.

    Yeah, that's me in my profile photo, but a few years back, shortly after weight loss, when I was age 60. (I don't know that I look lots different now, FWIW - still active, and around the same weight. Scraggly Covid hair right now, though! 😆)

    Hang in there - you'll make progress. 🙂
  • springlering62
    springlering62 Posts: 10,232 Member
    Hi, @jwluvscats. Welcome to MFP!

    I have more than a few TMI cathartic posts hanging around. Sometimes it’s just good to get it off your chest, and this is semi anonymous enough a place to do it relatively safely. Cathartic, indeed! So have at it.

    So I’m going to hazard a guess here, since you mention “debt free” as a point of pride (which it should be!!!!!). I’m guessing you are a Dave Ramsey fan.

    One thing he has always said that stuck like glue with me is is that change comes when you are “sick and tired of being sick and tired”.

    That was the absolute truth for me. It was like a small explosion in my brain that silently screamed enough!!!!

    It sounds like you’ve reached that peak point.

    Take this moment while it’s burning and use it wisely. You don’t get many in life and it’s your choice to take advantage of it, or let it turn to ash.

    Does this make sense?

    You let me know if there’s anything I can do to help support you on this journey. Advice or just an electronic hug and pat on the back.

  • JohnBarth
    JohnBarth Posts: 672 Member
    Hello Joan, you've certainly been through a lot. Taking account of all of them and shifting the focus to YOU is a huge first step. Just set small goals and advance forward one step at a time. Forward is the key!
  • jwluvscats
    jwluvscats Posts: 6 Member
    Thank you, JohnBarth
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