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What is your driving force?

missdarmitage

missdarmitage

Member
All of us post about so many things: the good, the bad, the pain, the joy. But we tend to forget why we are on this journey. I myself needed a reminder this morning as my head wasn't in the best place upon waking up. So what is your driving force for this change? For me, it was to get healthy and live longer than my parents did. While they did not pass away from obesity related issues, it certainly didn't help their overall health. So how about you? What is your driving factor to change your health and your life?
 
missdarmitage said:
All of us post about so many things: the good, the bad, the pain, the joy. But we tend to forget why we are on this journey. I myself needed a reminder this morning as my head wasn't in the best place upon waking up. So what is your driving force for this change? For me, it was to get healthy and live longer than my parents did. While they did not pass away from obesity related issues, it certainly didn't help their overall health. So how about you? What is your driving factor to change your health and your life?
Click to expand...
Well I’m 65 years old. I have been a big girl for most of my life. When I was younger it was not an issue I was very active.
And really in pretty good health. As I got older I stopped all the smoking, drinking, running the streets. Then I really started packing on the weight. Both knee are bone on bone, back issues etc. I want to retire in 2 or 3 years. I want to be able to live a good quality of live when I retire. So I decided to have this surgery 1 to be healthier, 2 to live longer, 3 so I can have my knees replace. I would love to be able to Board a Cruise ship without assistance. To talk along the coast line .
To enjoy my ( as they say) golden years.
 
Such a great topic miss!

I've been overweight most of my life. I'd have times when I'd loose a huge amounts of weight but never kept it off. I'd slip up, hate myself and both punish/comfort myself with food. I was also a big drinker and it eventually led to alcoholism. In my teens & 20s, I drank to be social because I was so insecure about my weight. But it became a chicken/egg scenario. Excessive, long-term drinking destroys you psychologically. By my mid-30s, my outlook on life was bleak and my self-worth was so low. I hated myself, happiness was unattainable. My judgment about everything was compromised because alcohol was calling the shots. When you're drunk, you aren't going to talk yourself out of another drink or eating the entire fridge.

I went into recovery in May 2016. It was the most humbling experience of my life but it worked. :) Unfortunately, all that sugar that I was previously consuming by drinking, sought me out with a vengeance! I developed an insatiable sweet-tooth. I was about 250 pounds (my all-time highest at the time) when I went into the program. 3 months later, I was up to 290 pounds. I was happy that I was sober but crushed that I was so out of control with my eating. I hid my alcoholism well, you can't hide a food addiction, you wear it everyday for the world to judge.

In January 2018, I was finally diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (had been "borderline" for years). I felt like a failure. I was also living with constant hip and ankle pain. I felt so much older than I was. I had let my insecurities put my life on hold. Never married or had children, never took risks and rarely went outside my comfort zone. Life was passing me by.

Then one day it hit me, there is still this tool out there that I haven't tried. After making such a huge change by getting sober, I knew I could do it. I felt like there was a huge weight lifted. My outlook on life changed, I could be happy and healthy. I work hard on both every day. :)
 
Redy2go said:
Good morning Miss!
The same could be said for me. My family was and obese. The meds I have already been taken off is pretty awesome! My drive is to eat a healthy life style. Don't want to go through this again but I'm happy I did! Just 1 week out starting to feel better.
Click to expand...
So happy that you're feeling better and already off your meds Redy!!! :)
 
Redy2go said:
Good morning Miss!
The same could be said for me. My family was and obese. The meds I have already been taken off is pretty awesome! My drive is to eat a healthy life style. Don't want to go through this again but I'm happy I did! Just 1 week out starting to feel better.
Click to expand...
Coming off of the meds so quickly is a great thing! Congrats :) You are definitely on the road to your healthier lifestyle!
 
Nicelady said:
Well I’m 65 years old. I have been a big girl for most of my life. When I was younger it was not an issue I was very active.
And really in pretty good health. As I got older I stopped all the smoking, drinking, running the streets. Then I really started packing on the weight. Both knee are bone on bone, back issues etc. I want to retire in 2 or 3 years. I want to be able to live a good quality of live when I retire. So I decided to have this surgery 1 to be healthier, 2 to live longer, 3 so I can have my knees replace. I would love to be able to Board a Cruise ship without assistance. To talk along the coast line .
To enjoy my ( as they say) golden years.
Click to expand...
Those are great reasons for this journey. You are already getting healthier which will help with living longer! And the knee pain can be debilitating. I had exploratory knee surgery a year ago and they don't know what is causing my knee pain so they just said to lose weight. I can tell it is making a difference but it isn't gone yet. I have every hope that you will lose the weight, retire while you are feeling amazing, have your knee surgerys and after recovering hop onto that cruise ship and enjoy a much needed cruise! You have some amazing goals and I know you will achieve them :D
 
Brenda2010 said:
Such a great topic miss!

I've been overweight most of my life. I'd have times when I'd loose a huge amounts of weight but never kept it off. I'd slip up, hate myself and both punish/comfort myself with food. I was also a big drinker and it eventually led to alcoholism. In my teens & 20s, I drank to be social because I was so insecure about my weight. But it became a chicken/egg scenario. Excessive, long-term drinking destroys you psychologically. By my mid-30s, my outlook on life was bleak and my self-worth was so low. I hated myself, happiness was unattainable. My judgment about everything was compromised because alcohol was calling the shots. When you're drunk, you aren't going to talk yourself out of another drink or eating the entire fridge.

I went into recovery in May 2016. It was the most humbling experience of my life but it worked. :) Unfortunately, all that sugar that I was previously consuming by drinking, sought me out with a vengeance! I developed an insatiable sweet-tooth. I was about 250 pounds (my all-time highest at the time) when I went into the program. 3 months later, I was up to 290 pounds. I was happy that I was sober but crushed that I was so out of control with my eating. I hid my alcoholism well, you can't hide a food addiction, you wear it everyday for the world to judge.

In January 2018, I was finally diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (had been "borderline" for years). I felt like a failure. I was also living with constant hip and ankle pain. I felt so much older than I was. I had let my insecurities put my life on hold. Never married or had children, never took risks and rarely went outside my comfort zone. Life was passing me by.

Then one day it hit me, there is still this tool out there that I haven't tried. After making such a huge change by getting sober, I knew I could do it. I felt like there was a huge weight lifted. My outlook on life changed, I could be happy and healthy. I work hard on both every day. :)
Click to expand...

Wow, Brenda! Thank you for sharing your story. I knew bits of that, but you are a true survivor! It is an inspiration to hear what you have been through and know that the fighter in you took over and pulled you through. It is a battle that never ends and it is so true that with a food addiction, the world sees it daily and judges you for it. It is awe-inspiring to see the positive, happy, bright, healthy person you are now and now how hard you fought to get here. You are AMAZING! :D
 
Brenda2010 said:
Such a great topic miss!

I've been overweight most of my life. I'd have times when I'd loose a huge amounts of weight but never kept it off. I'd slip up, hate myself and both punish/comfort myself with food. I was also a big drinker and it eventually led to alcoholism. In my teens & 20s, I drank to be social because I was so insecure about my weight. But it became a chicken/egg scenario. Excessive, long-term drinking destroys you psychologically. By my mid-30s, my outlook on life was bleak and my self-worth was so low. I hated myself, happiness was unattainable. My judgment about everything was compromised because alcohol was calling the shots. When you're drunk, you aren't going to talk yourself out of another drink or eating the entire fridge.

I went into recovery in May 2016. It was the most humbling experience of my life but it worked. :) Unfortunately, all that sugar that I was previously consuming by drinking, sought me out with a vengeance! I developed an insatiable sweet-tooth. I was about 250 pounds (my all-time highest at the time) when I went into the program. 3 months later, I was up to 290 pounds. I was happy that I was sober but crushed that I was so out of control with my eating. I hid my alcoholism well, you can't hide a food addiction, you wear it everyday for the world to judge.

In January 2018, I was finally diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (had been "borderline" for years). I felt like a failure. I was also living with constant hip and ankle pain. I felt so much older than I was. I had let my insecurities put my life on hold. Never married or had children, never took risks and rarely went outside my comfort zone. Life was passing me by.

Then one day it hit me, there is still this tool out there that I haven't tried. After making such a huge change by getting sober, I knew I could do it. I felt like there was a huge weight lifted. My outlook on life changed, I could be happy and healthy. I work hard on both every day. :)
Click to expand...
Very inspiring, I have been struggling with the decision to have this surgery for years. I have rescheduled my appointment with the surgeon for January 2020. I really need to get this done .
 
missdarmitage said:
Wow, Brenda! Thank you for sharing your story. I knew bits of that, but you are a true survivor! It is an inspiration to hear what you have been through and know that the fighter in you took over and pulled you through. It is a battle that never ends and it is so true that with a food addiction, the world sees it daily and judges you for it. It is awe-inspiring to see the positive, happy, bright, healthy person you are now and now how hard you fought to get here. You are AMAZING! :D
Click to expand...
Thanks miss. :) And congratulations on 70 pounds!!! You're working you ass off... quite literally! :)
 
missdarmitage said:
All of us post about so many things: the good, the bad, the pain, the joy. But we tend to forget why we are on this journey. I myself needed a reminder this morning as my head wasn't in the best place upon waking up. So what is your driving force for this change? For me, it was to get healthy and live longer than my parents did. While they did not pass away from obesity related issues, it certainly didn't help their overall health. So how about you? What is your driving factor to change your health and your life?
Click to expand...
I want to Live Life to the fullest my friend!!! I Love The LORD but I don't want to see HIM right now!!! You are not alone, keep Trusting The Process!!!!
 
Brenda2010 said:
Such a great topic miss!

I've been overweight most of my life. I'd have times when I'd loose a huge amounts of weight but never kept it off. I'd slip up, hate myself and both punish/comfort myself with food. I was also a big drinker and it eventually led to alcoholism. In my teens & 20s, I drank to be social because I was so insecure about my weight. But it became a chicken/egg scenario. Excessive, long-term drinking destroys you psychologically. By my mid-30s, my outlook on life was bleak and my self-worth was so low. I hated myself, happiness was unattainable. My judgment about everything was compromised because alcohol was calling the shots. When you're drunk, you aren't going to talk yourself out of another drink or eating the entire fridge.

I went into recovery in May 2016. It was the most humbling experience of my life but it worked. :) Unfortunately, all that sugar that I was previously consuming by drinking, sought me out with a vengeance! I developed an insatiable sweet-tooth. I was about 250 pounds (my all-time highest at the time) when I went into the program. 3 months later, I was up to 290 pounds. I was happy that I was sober but crushed that I was so out of control with my eating. I hid my alcoholism well, you can't hide a food addiction, you wear it everyday for the world to judge.

In January 2018, I was finally diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (had been "borderline" for years). I felt like a failure. I was also living with constant hip and ankle pain. I felt so much older than I was. I had let my insecurities put my life on hold. Never married or had children, never took risks and rarely went outside my comfort zone. Life was passing me by.

Then one day it hit me, there is still this tool out there that I haven't tried. After making such a huge change by getting sober, I knew I could do it. I felt like there was a huge weight lifted. My outlook on life changed, I could be happy and healthy. I work hard on both every day. :)
Click to expand...
Wow! That is amazing Brenda. Giving up one vice is hard enough but giving up two, crazy hard.
You must be so proud of what you have accomplished.
You certainly have earned all the good that has or will be coming your way.
 
Mine was also definitely to get healthier. The Diabetes, HBP, cholesteral and the gastroparesis.
My father died of a heart attack and my 58 yr old brother had a quintuple bypass. I do not want that to be me!

I am no longer taking HBP meds and my Diabetes med are cut down to just one for now (see what happens when I start eating more).
My diabetes will never go away even though it is Type 2, just bad genes on maternal side.

It is nice to cross my legs, I was able to climb three flights of stairs without feeling like I was dying.
 
honeysgirl said:
Mine was also definitely to get healthier. The Diabetes, HBP, cholesteral and the gastroparesis.
My father died of a heart attack and my 58 yr old brother had a quintuple bypass. I do not want that to be me!

I am no longer taking HBP meds and my Diabetes med are cut down to just one for now (see what happens when I start eating more).
My diabetes will never go away even though it is Type 2, just bad genes on maternal side.

It is nice to cross my legs, I was able to climb three flights of stairs without feeling like I was dying.
Click to expand...
I'm so sorry about your dad and brother. It's wonderful that you were able to break the cycle and focus on your own health. Sounds like you were dealt a difficult hand genetically, almost guaranteed to have to fight this fight. Takes a strong woman to kick obesity's ass!!! ;)
 
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