Well, come to think of it, I do believe I have not included a current weight in these past couple of columns. I think it has been a month that my weight was not registered in it. Oops! OK, OK - I sheepishly admit I did it kind of, sort of, on purpose. It wasn't meant to be a malicious act; I was scared to weigh myself. What would people think or remark if I had gained?
More recently (within the past week-and-a-half), I weighed myself at my parents' place; which holds within its walls the dreaded evil scale. The numbers that popped up on the scale over the course of that said time was quite unflattering. These ranged from a dismaying 294 pounds to 300 pounds. "Just great," I thought. All I need is to be close to where I was when I started this journey - that would in all reality really, really suck.
Well, something had been going on to bring light to this not-yet-confirmed weight (on my parents' scale). I had three shots in my back (epidural) to combat debilitating pain. It contains some sort of steroid to relieve that pain. It actually did help to a degree so I could function. For that, I'm grateful. On the other hand, I gorged on everything in sight.
Aaarrgghh!
I would have probably eaten the plaster if I was given a chance.
Here is the really, really good news! I weighed myself on the 29th of March at the Marketing/Outreach Department at the hospital. I stepped onto their scale and lo-and-behold ... 288 pounds was displayed. I did a double take, making sure that it was correct. I went to finish my volunteer project and thought some more about the recent scale weigh-in. Well, just for the 'halibut' (ha-ha - 'heck of it') I'll weigh myself again. So, I did. Much to my delight, it was correct ... 288 pounds.
I do feel somewhat better with my back and ankle - I hope that shot lasts. Hopefully, now I can begin to exercise again. I did happen to grab an application to a gym, which is like filling out a novel. Lucky for me, I have no kids; otherwise I would probably have to give up my first born to attend this gym without a doctor' note. I will provide one, of course, for safety's sake.
I do have a plan. When I speak of curbing my appetite, my stomach is the bottomless pit. If a doctor were to do laparoscopy surgery on my tummy, he or she would be able to see China. I have finally begun to learn that (for me) a twinge of hunger pains can be a good thing. I say that because I know to decipher it from a "boredom pain" versus a "hunger pain," and so forth. Therefore a little snack like a yogurt is just perfect. I'm a yogurt fiend - whatever you want as your special snack is entirely up to you.
Another thing for my plan to continue - be diligent in turning in all that paperwork so I can begin working out at that gym. It's nice to have a friend to cheer you along and mutually provide that support to make the whole thing plausible. I'm very excited to continue in swimming at work out at the gym. It's not that I'm afraid of the "E" word (exercise) - I just don't like motivating myself to get to that point. I'm still very interested in re-joining the weight loss support group - "TOPS" (take off pounds sensibly). I think it is important to find that niche to make you feel supported in whatever method you choose.
No, I don't think I'm taking on too much with the swimming and the gym. It'll be a gradual process and then I will probably work up to a higher intensity of whatever workout-du-jour I choose. Rest assured, I 'm very excited weighing 288 pounds and counting (down ... not up - silly!). I'm ecstatic to turn the page so I can exercise without pain and discomfort. Thank you again for being on this journey with me. Until next time. ...
Casi Stewart can be reached at casichilstew@yahoo.com. A Weighty Issue appears every other Monday on the Life page.
