My birthday is going to rock this year! Why? Because my surgeon's office called me this afternoon and told me I won a MAKEOVER that just happens to be on my birthday!!! I get to go shopping at Macy's, get my hair cut and colored, and get my makeup done too. In order to be considered for the makeover you had to submit a one-page essay along with before and after pictures. My entry and photos are below if you want to see them. I'm still reeling a little bit. I can't believe I actually won! On a side note, I'm running another 5K tomorrow so wish me luck. I'll be sure to post how awesome I'm going to do!!! :):):)
Celebrating Me
I’m sure I am not unlike other Weight Loss Surgery patients who have struggled with obesity their entire lives (except that maybe my birthday happens to be April 11th - hint, hint!) I had plenty of excuses – genetics, medication, depression, inactivity and, of course, FOOD, but the loosing/gaining weight loss cycle was cruel and always left me more bitter, resentful and hopeless in the end. So what was it that made me finally decide I had to stop that vicious, unforgiving cycle?
Flash back to fall of 2010, I was on an extended family vacation in Florida and we were at Busch Gardens. I was looking forward to this day more than any other on the vacation because I love, love, love roller coasters! First roller coaster – it took 3 attendants to push on the safety harness before it finally latched, but I made it. Whew! Close call! Second roller coaster – made it again, but couldn’t breathe! Third roller coaster – never made it… I was too big. I had to be asked to get off in front of my entire family. Embarrassed, mortified, hurt, angry are just a few emotions I experienced as I took my walk of shame down the exit ramp. Crumbling into a ball of tears, not caring what people thought of me, I made a vow with myself that day to do something about my weight – for good!!! I was referred to RMAP soon after I got home and my WLS journey began.
Of course there have been bumps along the road, and the journey has been excruciatingly difficult both physically and mentally, but I’d do it all over again and again to be where I’m at today. Not only am I conscience now about what I put into my body, I am more active than I have ever been my entire life. Every morning at 5:00 AM sharp, I’m at the gym running, weight lifting or doing circuit training. It was just a few weeks ago that I tried a Spin class for the first time. Long story short, the instructor came up to me after class and said, “Wow! If you wouldn't have told me it was your first time, I would have never known. I can tell you are a very active, fit person." As my eyes filled with tears, I thanked her and smiled. There is no way she could have known how much such a comment meant to me. She couldn’t have known that a little under a year ago I weighed over 300 pounds and couldn’t even have walked to the end of my street!
I feel one of the biggest lessons that I have taken from this journey is that I can choose what is best for me and my body. I ran my first 5K at the Walk From Obesity Event last October, and when my legs and lungs were telling me I couldn’t go any farther, my heart and soul were telling me that I could - and I not only finished the 5K, but finished almost 10 minutes faster than my goal! Now six months later, I’ll go outside and run 3 – 5 miles on top of my other workouts just for fun!!!
I’m so proud to say that I have taken this opportunity by storm and made every second count. I feel so empowered and love how it feels to finally be in control of my life. Dr. Smith and RMAP, I thank you, my husband thanks you, and my little girl thanks you so much for giving me my life back. Now I’m ready to show everyone on the outside how fabulous I feel on the inside. I’m in desperate need of some sprucing up, and did I mention April 11th is my birthday!!!
I’m sure I am not unlike other Weight Loss Surgery patients who have struggled with obesity their entire lives (except that maybe my birthday happens to be April 11th - hint, hint!) I had plenty of excuses – genetics, medication, depression, inactivity and, of course, FOOD, but the loosing/gaining weight loss cycle was cruel and always left me more bitter, resentful and hopeless in the end. So what was it that made me finally decide I had to stop that vicious, unforgiving cycle?
Flash back to fall of 2010, I was on an extended family vacation in Florida and we were at Busch Gardens. I was looking forward to this day more than any other on the vacation because I love, love, love roller coasters! First roller coaster – it took 3 attendants to push on the safety harness before it finally latched, but I made it. Whew! Close call! Second roller coaster – made it again, but couldn’t breathe! Third roller coaster – never made it… I was too big. I had to be asked to get off in front of my entire family. Embarrassed, mortified, hurt, angry are just a few emotions I experienced as I took my walk of shame down the exit ramp. Crumbling into a ball of tears, not caring what people thought of me, I made a vow with myself that day to do something about my weight – for good!!! I was referred to RMAP soon after I got home and my WLS journey began.
Of course there have been bumps along the road, and the journey has been excruciatingly difficult both physically and mentally, but I’d do it all over again and again to be where I’m at today. Not only am I conscience now about what I put into my body, I am more active than I have ever been my entire life. Every morning at 5:00 AM sharp, I’m at the gym running, weight lifting or doing circuit training. It was just a few weeks ago that I tried a Spin class for the first time. Long story short, the instructor came up to me after class and said, “Wow! If you wouldn't have told me it was your first time, I would have never known. I can tell you are a very active, fit person." As my eyes filled with tears, I thanked her and smiled. There is no way she could have known how much such a comment meant to me. She couldn’t have known that a little under a year ago I weighed over 300 pounds and couldn’t even have walked to the end of my street!
I feel one of the biggest lessons that I have taken from this journey is that I can choose what is best for me and my body. I ran my first 5K at the Walk From Obesity Event last October, and when my legs and lungs were telling me I couldn’t go any farther, my heart and soul were telling me that I could - and I not only finished the 5K, but finished almost 10 minutes faster than my goal! Now six months later, I’ll go outside and run 3 – 5 miles on top of my other workouts just for fun!!!
I’m so proud to say that I have taken this opportunity by storm and made every second count. I feel so empowered and love how it feels to finally be in control of my life. Dr. Smith and RMAP, I thank you, my husband thanks you, and my little girl thanks you so much for giving me my life back. Now I’m ready to show everyone on the outside how fabulous I feel on the inside. I’m in desperate need of some sprucing up, and did I mention April 11th is my birthday!!!
I know, I know I was a little shameless in pushing the whole birthday thing... but, hey, it worked, didn't it?!?! And don't worry, I'll be sure to take lots of video and pictures at the reveal and post them here. Luvs.
