My Sojourn with Health

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Memorable Moments & First

So almost every week something happens or comes up that I either have never done before or have not done (been able to do ) in many many years.......... So I thought I would share some memorable moments and first. Many of these are things most of you will not have ever even thought about, however for me it is a big deal. So never take anything for granted, not even the small stuff, but especially your health and well being. I am sure I will not get these things in any sort of order because I will just talk about them as they come to mind.... I am also sure you will be surprised but at least one thing that you read and hopefully you may realize as a culture we do in deed tend to take many things for granted. Anyway......... So lets see.... Oh, here is one for the ladies.... My First "Pretty Bra"! So.... I have never owned a real pretty bra. I have always had the super sized "sports bra" , you know the ones that most women wear to work out in but for me it was the only kind I cold buy that would fit me. I won't go into anymore details about Bras and size but after having lost a bunch of weight my girlfriend took me to Sacramento and we went Bra shopping. I was trying on some really nice ones only to be discouraged.......... But then a saleswoman told us to get a Bra extender... (guys this is a little 3 inch or so piece that makes your bra bigger) So to get these pretty bras to actually fit I ended up having to buy some extenders(actually had to have two in order to wear the bras) .... It was o.k. because I was going to have beautiful Bras for the first time! So that was an exciting first..... Then in the months to follow some more memorable moments would come regarding the Bras.... Removing one of the two extenders, good day! Then a while later removing the last extender was a Great day! I was wearing these beautiful Bras with no extenders..... Interesting how something that seems so small to most can actually make me feel more normal! I was so proud I actually had to be careful and remember not everyone wants to see my pretty bras and it is not really a good idea to go around showing everyone! I couldn't help it I love my new Bras! Oh here is a good one.... I was visiting a friend and for whatever reason I had bent over to tie my shoe or pull up a sock and she surprisingly says to me something to the effect of "Hey.... You touched your toes!" We chuckled and she went on to say she did not think she could ever remember seeing me bend over like that let alone be able to reach my feet. HUH... Something I had not thought about but she was right. There was a very long period of time I was not even sure I had feet! It always took some special or creative "finagling" to get socks and shoes on, no more! :-) Of course there was the first time my weight was down enough I actually could register a number on the scale! Yep, at one point I was so heavy the scale did not go high enough to register a number... and yes this is a Doctors office scale not a small home version. So that was a good day. Being called "little" or "the incredible shrinking woman", those were memorable first. Being told my clothes are too big..... (that never gets old! ) Having to take clothes in because they are too big is much more fun then having to have clothes made special for you because you can't buy clothes at the any store ( including the "big" girl clothes store) One of my favorite moments was being able to tell someone who had asked me if I had the surgery (gastric bypass) that no I was losing weight under Doctors supervision, healthy eating and exercise. No I Did Not have "The Surgery"! That is always great to say, especially gratifying since a dozen or so people I know have done the surgery, some with success some not. Also because that first Nurse practitioner I saw about my weight had told me I would have to do the surgery to be successful and get healthy.... Well No I wouldn't.... Side note... Not only am I losing weight my Blood pressure is Perfect! A lot of memorable moments happen and it isn't until later I realize something has changed..... Forgive me if this is too much information but.... I recently realized I am no longer bracing myself, out of fear of falling and need for leverage, when stepping in and out of the shower. Again I know that seems odd but for years I was always extra careful doing things like that because if I fall... it would be bad. Good news... This too has changed, I think I feel more stable and strong so I do not give it a second thought. So as you can see there are things most people take for grated but really are little blessings..... Fear of this kind of stuff can paralyze some people. Now while I never really got to that level of fear these things were on my mind............. Just like thoughts about going places and being able to be comfortable.... "Will the restaurant have a chair I can sit in?' , "Will my friend have a sofa I can get up and down from with ease?" these are things a obese person has to take into consideration and those around them often are not aware of. Anyway.... the memorable moments and first will continue I am sure and there are many more but I think this is enough for now... Hopefully I haven't offended anyone with my shower and bra talk but these are things that are all a part of my journey! Until next time.... (yes, I will probably show you my bra if you ask! LOL)

4 comments:

  1. Congratulations - you always deserved to feel this empowered and addicted to health. You helped countless people with "invisible" disabilities and now you're finally taking care of yourself. I remember telling you how concerned I was with your weight, swollen ankles, and smoking. You really convinced me that topic was off limits. Maybe I missed it but what was the final straw that drove you to take this journey? Was it a photo, a book, Dr. Phil??? What kind of work are you doing now? I miss you and am thrilled to learn about your recovery. My mother, at 73, has found the same success with her weight loss program this year. For the 1st time in her life she's keeping the lost weight off. Have you quit smoking too or do you need to be "slapped"?

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  2. I don't know who this is?
    Kathy

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  3. Kathy-

    I loved reading about our journey so far! Congrats on the pretty bra and all of our successes! I'm so proud of you! I will fondly remember our "slice of cake" in college every time I see a package of purple kool-aid though. I know those pounds of sugar we put in it were nasty!! You are making such a great difference for others by writing this blog. Keep it up!! :) Kari

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  4. I am SO PROUD. and SO happy for you! You deserve to be even more beautiful on the outside than you are on the inside. Keep up the hard work!!!!

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