Greetings everyone! It's another day in weight-loss land! I have some superbly, wonderful, ecstatic, awesome, incredibly (enough already!) good news. One of my milestones is to weigh below 300 pounds and I did it! My current weight is (drum roll, please) 298 pounds! That is a decrease of four pounds since last weigh-in about one-and-a-half weeks ago.
In order to let you know how wonderful this number is, let me give some additional background information and remind you. In approximately 2006, I had lost 130 pounds or so from the 380 to 400 pound mark to weigh 250 to 270 pounds.
Confused yet? I accomplished this by aqua aerobics, the recumbent bike,and weight lifting. I also had a Fit Start trainer at the YMCA. The program was absolutely wonderful. Anyway, I had some events that happened to me and therefore I gained about 85 pounds back.
Now, I don't remember my point, oh yes, weighing below 300 pounds is huge (no pun intended).
I am on a roll (hmmm, jelly sounds good), and I feel like I have found my niche. I honestly don't know how I have lost when I haven't exercised as much, but I did.
Why, you ask? This blasted ankle of mine acts up and gives me horribly, painful malfunctions. I was strongly encouraged to contact my orthopedic surgeon in Columbus after another worsening X-ray of my ankle.
For about one week, I was thinking about my ankle fusion surgery being sooner rather than later.
Do you know what changed my decision regarding my surgery? That magic number on the scale. That is what clinched it for me to go on and fight this battle of the "bulge." Hey, I should quit complaining and I will (for now) because I am thankful and grateful I can walk.
Although I can't stand or walk for long periods of time, I have the use of my legs. Some people don't.
It is true that I need to return to some form of exercise regimen and I will.
In the meantime, I will focus on making better food choices until I either get back to the pool and/or gym.
Now I'll quit babbling and get on to the part of how I have achieved this milestone, I have changed certain eating habits.
I purchased some low-sodium turkey breast and made sandwiches with these extremely thin-sliced "buns." It's a nice change from my "seafood diet," I "see" "food" and I eat it.
I have an apple (or two) every day, carrots, yogurt (Greek and low-fat) and chocolate low-fat soy milk every day.
Now, what I eat is fine and dandy for me, however, this doesn't work for everyone. Be sure to consult your physician (or dietitian) to find out the best possible plan to follow for optimal health.
Beware of this section- it is a tear jerker! I need a tissue for my issue!
In the last column, I was saying how I would love to go to an amusement park. The reason why I would pick an amusement park is simple (I would be able to fit in the rides).
Years ago, when I was much heavier, I went to an amusement park with some friends. I went on one of those chair-swing rides and was told (rather bluntly) that I was too fat to go on that particular ride.
Needless to say I was embarrassed and devastated.
So, back then, I let that cruel banter get to me and I got bigger and bigger (over the years) until I had to be weighed on that "special scale."
In that case, words hurt me to the core and stayed with me.
Over the years, people have said all sorts of mean and thoughtless comments regarding my weight.
The key to remember ... some people have no tact. Like a dear friend of mine has always said to me, be glad you are not them!
I feel strongly encouraged to keep achieving goal after goal. I have these little goal increments of weight loss that I wish to accomplish.
For instance, the next weight loss number that I want to reach is 275 pounds. Following that number, I will reach another and another and so on, then I'll need a whole new wardrobe! Casi Stewart can be reached at casichilstew@yahoo.com. A Weighty Issue appears every other Monday on the Life page.
