In a Perfect World . . . No one would be overweight!

This is me at SAGU's fall graduation 2011--all 200 pounds of me!  I'm the short round in front.  I really hate to admit how much I weigh, but I think that's the only real way I'm going to be able to change.  So, I'm admitting it--I'm addicted to food!  I love it!  Especially gooey chocolate deserts! Let me also admit that I've tried every diet known to mankind--and nothing has worked--because I haven't stayed with him.  That's my confession.  I've finally said what I've never wanted to admit. 

However, I'm pleased to say that I'm actually making progress.  I've lost a few pounds--I'm now at 194--not much, but it's a start.  Perhaps it takes a life-threatening event to really get your attention and motivate you to get serious.  I've had that life-threatening moment--it happened to my husband, Max.  That's the same as having it happen to me.  A couple of weeks ago, Max and I went to see a surgeon about lap band surgery--not for me--for Max.  When we were called, the nurse weighed and measured Max, then she took his blood pressure.  I should have become alarmed when she said, "That can't possibly be right.  I'll take your blood pressure manually before you leave."  His blood pressure was 203/110!  Scarey, stroke-level high!  But we both brushed it aside without giving it a thought.  After talking with the patient advocate and realizing that our insurance wouldn't pay for the procedure, we left.  We told the patient advocate we needed to think about whether this was financially possible for us.  Then, we did what we always do--we stopped at Red Lobster and had a huge meal.  Later that afternoon, the surgeon's office called because she had forgotten to take Max's blood pressure.  She asked us to take it again, and to our horror, his blood pressure hadn't come down at all.  We immediately put in a call to our family doctor.  When our family doctor's nurse returned our call, she asked us to take  his blood pressure again.  This time, we couldn't even get his blood pressure to register.  I finally convinced Max to go to our local clinic just to have his blood pressure checked.  Once there, after the doctor's office had taken his blood pressure, he was advised to go the the emergency room because his pressure was so high.  It took me pleading and crying to get him to go.  This ER visit has put us on a roller coaster trying to control his blood pressure, which still isn't under control.  However, this event has made us very aware of the need to take control of our health.  

Max has been so motivated and determined.  He's probably lost 20 pounds in the last couple of weeks.  I wish I could say I've lost that much weight, but I haven't.  But I will.  Even though I haven't had to go to the emergency room, I know that my weight could cause me just as many serious problems.  

I've decided that I need to write about my journey.  If anyone reads this blog, my prayer is that it will help someone realize that they can take control of their life.  I know that I can't do this alone.  First, I will need to rely on God to help me stay determined and give me wisdom in making food choices.  I also think it's easier to stay on track if you have have someone to offer moral support; Max and I do that for each other.

Let me end this blog by telling of some small victories.  Last night, Max and I went to one of our favorite local restuarants with our son, daughter-in-law and two of our granddaughters.  Max and I actually passed on the rolls!  This may sound like a small thing, but when you love bread like I do, it's a really big deal!  This afternoon, after a bit of shopping, we stopped at Red Lobster.  However, rather than eating a huge, high fat, high carb meal, we asked for the lunch menu and ate very sensibly.  

In order to stay focused, I plan to post pictures in order to chronicle my weight loss.  I'll try to post pictures every ten pounds.  So until next time . . . in a perfect world, when no one is overweight!