Enjoying the Life Changes

Well, this life experiment called weight loss that my daughter and I have been doing is working!

Since June 2012, we've been attending weekly Weight Watchers' meetings. She's now lost 50 lbs and I've lost 27 (plus 7 I had lost before we joined, putting me 34 lbs lighter than January of 2012!).

Not to sound like the commercials but I can definitely say, Weight Watchers works.  For those of you with health issues who think you can't lose weight this way, let me tell you my story:

I'm 5'4" and 50 years old, the mother of 2 and grandmother of 1. I've been diabetic since my youngest daughter was born 21 years ago. I have arthritis, fibromyalgia, and high blood pressure in addition to the diabetes. I also have the challenge of several food allergies.

For about 10 years I controlled the diabetes by diet and exercise only.  Then thanks to a hernia, I had to give up weight bearing exercise, a year and half and two surgeries later, I found myself on oral medication (metformin). The medication kept my stomach in turmoil from the very beginning. But I continued taking it thinking I would eventually adjust to it.

The dosage kept going up, the stomach issues kept getting worse, then a second medication was added (we tried several).  It was a roller coaster ride of high blood sugars, low blood sugars, and not being able to maintain the control I wanted.  Over that time my weight kept creeping up.  Finally, I asked my doctor to put me on insulin, and we finally began to find the blood sugar control I wanted.  But once again the weight kept creeping up.  When the scales hit 221, I was disgusted with myself and knew I had to do something.

I started parking farther away from the door at work, at the store, etc.  Making little changes.  Then I joined WW.  In the first month, I also had my gall bladder removed, and I lost 8 lbs.  By the end of the 6th month, I had lost 25 lbs (a little over 10% of my body weight). And the results for my health have been astonishing!

I was taking 3 shots of Humalog a day (one with each meal) - 25 units per shot.  I was also taking a shot of Lantus at bedtime (almost 40 units).  As of today, March 29, 2013, I am down to 28 units of Lantus and two shots of Humalog (5 units each) and my A1Cs are running between 6.0 - 6.3.  My fasting blood sugars are running between 70-118. My blood pressure which had required two medications plus a diuretic, now only requires one medication.

I can actually walk the stairs at work now without being winded. I can get down in the floor and crawl with my grandson (and do on a regular basis) without being in pain.  I can touch my toes (I can actually look down and SEE my toes for the first time in YEARS!).  I feel better than I have felt in a long time!

No, this is not rapid weight loss.  However, it is healthy weight loss.  For those of you who don't think you can do it, let me tell you... if this chocoholic, carb-loving, beef craving woman can do it, SO CAN YOU!!

Whether it's through Weight Watchers, Thrive, NutriSystem, or just sheer willpower, take control of your health by making the healthy eating and activity choices you need!.  Here's to you!