Victory #1

THANK YOU ALL for your kind words and encouragement. I really appreciate it. To tell you about me...I am 33 years old. I work full time in 911 communications and volunteer as an EMT. At the end of May, I was showing signs that I was having a heart attack. When I went to the doctor (because I am stubborn and refused to go to the Emergency Room) they did an EKG which came back showing "Abnormal Inferior Infarct". I was direct admitted into the hospital on the cardiac floor for observation and before I could leave the next day I was running on the treadmill. I clearly remember that was a Wednesday at the end of the month in May and by Friday of that same week I had made a decision to give up fast food and soda. I have now been a month a half without fast food, have not have fried food, cut my carbs in half if not more, and don’t eat fried foods. I have taken a leave of absence from my duties as an EMT to get my health back in order. It was recommended that I do a program called "Lose to Live" which is 12 weeks long. I am working closely with dieticians and exercise physiologists from Duke and meet with them at least once a week. I am being held accountable because when I do well, it makes them look good! I told my trainer that I am working with today that this isn’t about anyone but me. My weight won’t kill her, or this person, or that person, ultimately it will kill me and its time I do something about it. She told me that I am determined and focused and when she pushes me, I never once want to give up or quit on her. It may hurt but I keep going and want more...what is the military saying...”Drill Sgt...We like it, we love it, and we want some more of it"...or something like that. At any rate, I decided to combine this program with mental health counseling. I think it’s important to understand why we eat sometimes like we do. Do we eat out of emotion or some underlying cause? That isn’t the only thing I am focusing on though in counseling. I am focusing on healing old wounds and working on self-image and self-esteem issues as well as personal relationship issues. I thought this would be a good approach and everyone that I am working with right now seems to agree. I have said the next 12 weeks is all about me and the focus is on me. Once again I want to say thank you all for your kind thoughts and words. I hope you all continue to reach your weight loss goals. Remain focused and it will happen! You guys are more than welcome to add me if you want and we can be a source of motivation for each other as well. Take care!