Giving Up, Giving In

Christmas 20o6 (beginning wt 298 lbs)

It is hard to believe that it was only 10 weeks ago that I started the weight loss program Simply for Life.

I was caught in a wicked cycle of binge eating, eating to relieve stress, anxiety, or just out of habit. In the past 2 years, I ended up going on blood pressure medication and I was starting to have pitting edema (swelling) in my legs. I was headed for danger not only physically, but spiritually as well. My relationship with God was starting to feel pretty superficial. I really felt like much of the time I was just going through the motions and I really hated that feeling! I was letting food control my life; it was my focus...my idol. I knew that I had to let God take back control of my life, but I felt hopelessly stuck, trapped in my own addiction. I had tried dieting in the past but would yo-yo back and forth in my weight. I joined Curves which is an awesome exercise program for women. The exercise was working for a brief period, but I had changed nothing about my eating habits. I went to Curves less and less, gaining back the weight in frustration. Honestly, I was scared out of my mind.

Some ladies that I know told me that they had joined Simply for Life. After a week or two these girls were having results. I had heard that some people on this program have lost a lot of weight, but I was skepctical at first, having been jaded by many unsuccessful attempts at weight loss. I finally broke down and figured I'd at least go in for the free consultation. So, I made an appointment and before I even knew what had happened, I had signed up for a year with them. Well, I thought, this is my last resort. I have to do SOMETHING.

Feb 28, 2007, 3 weeks after starting SFL (approx. 272 lbs)

The first week I lost 13.4 pounds of fluid and the edema in my legs was virtually gone. Over the past several weeks the pounds have just seemed to melt away from my body. The biggest thing was the difference in how I FEEL. It wasn't until I started losing weight that I realized how bad things really were. I had started to lapse into depression. I am a quiet person but I had even less confidence and part of me had wanted to just give up on life.

Mar 25, 2007 (approx. 260 lbs)

I was again motivated at Curves and exercising to help tone up and increase my weight loss. After losing some of my weight, I started getting excited about so many things, even silly little things people take for granted:

-sitting in a chair and actually feeling comfortable!

-sitting in the car and not worrying that the belt will go around you!

-walking, talking, singing and not being short of breath all the time.
-decreased swelling in my legs
-feeling more confident and positive as a person.
-putting God first in my life