Phase 2

So......... It was about the same time I was interviewing for a new potential job that I started reading Dr. Phil’s book on weight & Health, now stop rolling your eyes..... It was actually the first thing I had seen where the focus was on behavior and attitude and not just the classic diet and exercise.
It was refreshing to read something that was taking into consideration the whole person inside and out. There were some “assignments” to do which were helpful and several tips to try behaviorally. So I found myself looking at this from a total health perspective and myself as a total person not just a dieter. Anyway I shared that I was reading this with a few people and as I had conversations with people they became interested as well so they got the book and began reading it too. Before I knew it there were several people wanting to discuss the contents as well as their personal experience so I decided perhaps we have enough people and interest to start a “support group” so to speak. So I asked these people if they would be interested in such a group to discuss and go through the assignments and experiences together. So I started a group and several women came for a few weeks and the numbers started to fluctuate until it finally dwindled completely and there was no longer a group. Now while this is common for groups I was a bit discouraged because I found the accountability and support helpful. So here I was without a group and transitioning now to a new job on top of it.... Little bit of stress was building and well we know what that means J So now I found myself back on the journey alone and trying to adjust to a new job........ After a adjustment time with the new job I decide the accountability worked so I needed to find it somewhere else and stay on track .......... Perhaps it was time to go to a professional. (It is important to note here, if you do not know this about me, I have little faith in doctors and western medicine in general so this was a very big step for me) So I decided I would go see a nurse practitioner at my Doctors office. This sounded a little more comfortable to me, so I scheduled an appointment........ If I only knew........ So I go and find out the nurse I was scheduled to see was not available so I was scheduled with another nurse, only to find out she specialized in weight management and issues. WOW, I thought this must be divine intervention! I was thinking this was meant to be.... So I began talking to her and several things happened at this appointment. First of all we started with the typical height, weight, blood pressure etc.... WELL......... the office had two scales, a normal average “every office has one” scale and one that was built into the floor and could take the “heavier” patients. So (I can’t believe I am going to admit this) I had to go to the second scale...... Only to be told I was heavier then the scale went so we had no idea what my weight was..... SMACK.... another eye opener like the picture! So we went to the exam room and discussed health and weight.... (Again important to note here... At my new place of work it was interesting that I noticed right away a lot of people, and I mean a LOT of people were doing the gastric bypass surgery. It seemed the quick fix and answer to everyone’s prayers. It was working for them, however, I thought a lot about this and was determined that for me I needed to do everything within my power first before doing something that drastic. I thought “I got myself here I need to get myself out.” I also knew for me a quick fix was not going to be the answer, I needed to change my life, my perspectives, my attitudes , all of it..... ) So back to the trip to the Doctors office……while in the exam room with the nurse, who at first seemed excited at my desire to change, I made it clear to her that I did Not want to do the surgery and I was looking for support, education and accountability to change my lifestyle. She asked me a few questions about my background and family history then proceeded to tell me “ You are going to have to do the surgery” . WHAT? I thought to myself..... I am here telling you I do not want to do that and you are telling me I need to.... without even trying anything else first??? I even told her about the changes I had already implemented and that I was reading and working through Dr. Phil’s book, she did not seem to be interested in that at all. Based on what was maybe a 5 minute conversation and a few questions about family history and background this “weight specialist” was telling me surgery was my answer. Now I was mad and disillusioned!