This year has been very challenging for me. My lifelong issue with my weight has finally caught up with me as far as my health is concerned:
- protruding disc in my back
- arthritis in my knee
- high blood pressure
It’s been an adjustment for me to say the least. It’s been challenging to take what I call my fall from grace. Looking back, just three short years ago I was in the best shape of my life. No I wasn’t down to my goal weight, but I was well on my way. I was down 71 lbs. and counting. I was participating in 5K races. Not just walking but RUNNING! Something I never saw myself doing. I was teaching Zumba twice a week and loving it.
I looked good. I felt great and I was loving and living life to the fullest. Then it all came to a screeching halt or at least that’s how it felt to me. But the truth of the matter is that the weight began to creep back on gradually and overtime. One by one I allowed myself to return to my old behaviors and habits. My focus was weight loss with no plan in place for maintenance.
Now 55 lbs. later, the weight gain is reeking all kinds of havoc on my body. I’m hurting. I’m semi-depressed. I’m struggling with the shame of regaining and I am having the hardest time trying to get myself revved up to start over. In fact the thought of starting over sends me in a downward spiral, yet I know I can’t stay here.
This second time around has had several “false starts”. It’s much more difficult than the first time, and I know that having to deal with my physical pains and limitations are keeping me stuck in neutral. Each day is a physical, mental and emotional up hill battle, leaving me either drained from trying yet again or from doing nothing, yet again. That’s all the bad news.
The good news is that there is always a way. I just have to find it and I’m committed to doing just that! I’m a lot of things but a quitter is not one of them. So, what am I going to do about it? So glad you asked because I’ve come up with the following steps for digging myself up out of this rut.
Step 1 – Recognize Where I Am Now
The approach I took three years ago won’t work for me now. The season of life I find myself in now comes with some limitations. I can’t run, zumba or even walk my way to weight loss because of my back and knee problems. Fortunately, these avenues are not the only road to weight loss success. My new approach will consist of more strength training and overhauling my eating habits and food choices, which in the scheme of things is the major piece of the weight loss puzzle.
Step 2 – Keep Moving
I can’t allow myself to stay in this rut. The worst thing I can do at this point is to do nothing. I’ve taken the time to write down all the things that I can do (which I will share with you tomorrow). From this list I’m going to pick one thing and get to work.
Step 3 – Maintain My Focus
At this point in my life, my ultimate goal is to feel good, reclaim my health, have energy to accomplish the things I want to accomplish, and to have a good quality of life. This is especially important to me now because I am fast approaching 50. I’m looking forward to entering my 50th year of life (in 2017), and my vision for that time in my life is to be able to declare these words, just as my girl Jill Scott sings, “Living My Life Like It’s Golden”. That won’t happen if I’m all broke up and unable to move. I have to keep my eyes on the prize.
Although this year has been challenging not once have I given up on myself. I’ve had to pump the brakes a bit. But now that I’ve gotten my realignment (reality check), I’m ready to get behind the wheel again. Would you like to take this joy ride with me?