Growing up, I was always the skinny kid. I never worried about watching my weight or thought about maintaining my general health. In fact, my nickname, courtesy of my dad, was "bird legs." I didn't really start putting on the weight until I passed 30. I guess I was lucky in that respect. Although it wasn't a conscious thought, I didn't worry that I would put on weight as I got older. My husband and I didn't eat healthy, for sure! With a brood of constantly hungry kids in the house, we bought cheap, which consisted of processed, starchy foods. Hence, 18 years later, I've packed on more than 50 pounds!
Health wise, I've had some challenges over the years. When I was 13, I had surgery on my back for scoliosis. Back then, they attached a stainless steel rod to your spine to straighten it out. I used to joke that I now had a bionic back. In 2009, I had a hysterectomy...and just in the nick of time. I had been severely sick at least once a month and I would be in bed for days on end in severe pain. Ten months after that, I had open heart surgery to repair my mitral valve. After that, I wanted to change my lifestyle to include healthier choices but I found it extremely difficult when others in the family weren't on the same page - not because of a lack of support, just because it was habit or easy to stick with the old way of doing things.
For years, I've walked around full of excuses as to why I couldn't or didn't want to diet or exercise. I've started several times but have never stuck with anything. But now, I'm tired of the excuses, I'm tired of having to buy bigger sizes, I'm tired of not wanting to look at myself in the mirror.... I'm just plain tired. And now, I believe my weight is beginning to affect me in other ways. My knees hurt, it hurts to walk sometimes, my back hurts, I'm tired all the time, and.... full disclosure here.... I snore. I had none of these issues when I was a "normal" weight.
I started this blog about a year and a half ago with my brother who was also interested at the time in regaining his health. With his job and raising three teenage boys, though, he doesn't have the time to post so I'll be continuing this blog on my own.
I am not going to focus, necessarily, on the numbers (my weight) although that is definitely a concern. My focus is more on overall health. I'll post about my physical challenges and the changes as I go and about my mental state as I make this lifestyle change. There are sure to be some meltdowns!
You've got this Mrs. Dana!! :)
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