One Year Ago, could have been my death anniversary....

I did not have any plans to take this journey to become healthier and lose weight. I was fine, or so I thought. On December 7, 2010 I went to work as normal. By 9:30 I had excruciating pain in my left side. It was a kidney stone that was too big to pass on its own. I was scheduled for surgery December 9 (my youngest son’s Birthday). I weighed in at this time around 255 lbs.

This surgery would change my outlook on life, as when I woke up from surgery, I developed a fever and infection was suspected. This infection became sepsis, total blood stream infection (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sepsis) . My body began to shut down, my heart rate was all over the place, my blood pressure was as low as 45 / 31 at one point. I was told this was not a livable blood pressure. A rapid response team was called, including a Chaplin. They stabilized me and I then proceeded to spend the next 2 days in ICU and two more days in a regular room. It took me almost a month to start feeling like myself again. All the doctors have told me I am lucky to be alive and not have any organ damage from this ordeal.

This was all due to a kidney stone, which I probably caused by not drinking water and a poor diet. It could have been prevented, Instead I almost lost my life.

Once I started to feel healthy again, January 25, 2011 I began my lifestyle change by finding myfitnesspal. When i started I weighed 255lbs and wore a very tight size 18, now i wear a size 12! By the end of June, I had lost over 55 lbs and reached onederland! My lowest weight was achieved in August of 188.8 lbs. (66lbs lost). I maintained through November within a few pounds, but as my one year anniversary of what could have been my death passes, I am being honest that I have not been doing so well as of late. Exercising has been hard to do for a variety of reasons, but the main one is lack of motivation. Eating becoming horrible again, again for a variety of reasons, but the main one is a lack of will power. I have gained back 7 lbs from my lowest and I am determined that these will be the only ones I gain back and to get back at it! I have done this, I can do this, so why do I let myself succumbed to the temptations and laziness.

I need to remember how far I have come and what I can achieve, but also give myself some recognition that I can fall down, as long as I get back up and keep going. I cannot let one fall be the end of this journey! I need to remember why I am doing this, for my health, to be there for my family, and to be a good role model for my boys......

a couple before picks, these were taken on Dec 4, 2010 at my son's birthday party



and one from yesterday, one year anniversary of my kidney stone, size 12 top and skirt