Wow! For the first time in what may seem like weeks and weeks, I feel very optimistic about my weight loss goals.
Over these past few columns, I felt like I was stalled in my weight loss efforts. Many unpleasant words like blame, guilt and emotional overeating seemed to hamper these efforts.
Guess what!? I feel like I have cautiously triumphed over my "boohoo-pity-party stage." I say "cautiously" because I still battle every day with these feelings of emotional overload.
Yet, I have come to realize that I have a lot of different people, places and things helping me. I have fantastic "cheerleaders" who come up to me and tell me how much they are inspired. Well, I am the one who is inspired. This cheering section (thank you!) has helped me get over that plateau in order to do what I need to do which is ... to lose weight!
I am trying to lose weight to save my life. It will somewhat extend the life of my severely arthritic ankle. Once I get the majority of this weight off, I hope I can put off that ankle fusion surgery. I have said it before, I am terrified.
I remember how difficult it was to maneuver around being 400 pounds with a bum ankle. It was almost impossible to use crutches or a walker without putting pressure on my ankle. The weight loss I hope to achieve will alleviate some pressure off my bones and joints. Although, it will not eliminate my arthritis, I should see a marked improvement.
Also, during these past few weeks, I was plagued by injuries. My bad ankle flared up again. The injury was due to standing on my ankle for long periods of time. I have to be so careful in how I exercise. If I could just get out there and walk ... I would. Several doctors have informed me that walking long distances is out of the question. So what is left? The resources that I plan on taking advantage of are aqua aerobics, stationary bike and weight lifting.
After my injuries seemed to subside in severity, I went back to aqua aerobics (this past week) at the Betsey Mills Club. The water is so nice and warm ... good for arthritis. I tend to run in place with "water weights" quickly to speed up my heart rate for optimal weight loss. Exercise helps with daily mobility. Simple daily activities like showering or getting dressed once left me exhausted because of bending over my fat flab. Now, I can perform daily activities with ease.
There was a problem this past week (not including the injuries). Temptations! I'll blame my sister on this one. She came in from out of town for the week. Why is it that I cannot control my eating habits when I am out and about? I'm still blaming her by the way ... hahahaha.
My family and I went out to eat of course. I had pizza on my brain so that is what I ordered. Big mistake. Number one, it can be very fattening. Number two, my sister (the rat) ordered a salad with a small pizza! That was after I ordered a larger pizza (to take some home, of course) and the server had left. Argghhh. That is why I displace blame on my sister. Just kidding.
Anyway, after my sister (the rat) went back home, I realized that life does indeed happen. Some things we cannot control, as they are out of our hands. It is how we handle these situations, which can mean triumph or defeat. It is the same with weight loss (or gain).
Well, needless to say, I was freaking out when I weighed myself this time. There was no way that I was going to weigh myself again on that nasty scale that hates me (my parent's scale). So, I weighed in at the scale I started out on. It turned out that the weight I gave last time (311 pounds) was inaccurate. I now weigh 304 pounds. You can bet I'm going to pick the scale that gives me the lowest weight (hahahaha). I am only 5 pounds away from weighing below 300 pounds. I say we have a massive pizza party to celebrate, what do you think? Just kidding ...
Casi Stewart can be reached at casichilstew@yahoo.com. A Weighty Issue appears every other Monday on the Life page.
