On Shrinking

I have always been a big girl. Other than being short, I don't think I have ever been petite. I've tried every diet out there from Weight Watchers to Phen-Phen and back again. I'd lose and gain, lose and gain. I should be dizzy from all the bouncing around I have done in the past. If you ask my best friend DeDe, she'd tell you she doesn't understand why I am big. I don't over eat and I don't eat too unhealthy ( usually...we all have our moments) and I have always been active. This past summer, I was diagnosed with high blood pressure, sleep apnea and severe arthritis in my knees. With the exception of the arthritis, all are the result of being overweight, and while the arthritis is not a result of the weight, all of my access weight does add additional pressure and pain to my knees. I was tired of being fat and now was the time to get serious about losing weight.
 I have had friends who had weight loss surgery. At first, I was totally against it. To permanently alter your body just scared me. Despite my fears and feelings about the surgery, I researched it. I read what people who had the surgery had to say both good and bad. I looked up statistics regarding risks and the possibility of gaining the weight back. I talked to health care professionals and friends who had had the surgery. I educated myself as much as possible. In the meantime, I got the sleep apnea under control with a sleep study and cpap machine. I had blood work done and found out I was vitamin D deficient and started taking supplements...who knew that  both of these conditions would effect weight loss and gain. After getting those under control, I lost 30 pounds... just what my insurance required a a prerequisite for surgery. Yes, as you have guessed, I am going to take the plunge. I want to be healthy and active. I miss doing all the things I used to do. I have set a goal for a summer surgery. I have a checklist of things I need to do in order for insurance to approve, but I have already fulfilled most of the requirements. I'm going to continue to lose weight on my own. I am curious to see how far I can go on my own. Right now, I'm 30 pounds lighter and I feel good about  myself. Go me! The best is yet to come!