Posts: 13
5/17/11 2:02 A

Good work DIXIEDOODELDEAN. I didn't start with as much weight to loose as you, but still found it hard to get started. I admire those who have started as you have, I takes a lot of courage and determination. I don't know if I could do as well. I wish you good luck in your journey. My daughter-in-law started with about the same weight, and is doing well also. You both inspire me to keep it up. I want to have this be my new and lasting lifestyle, so I'm not pushing to get it done too quickly. Changes take time, and I know it takes a while to make them stick, but the payoff is worth the effort.

Posts: 762
5/16/11 9:48 P

Great, wonderful, YAW HOO...
And who knows who will follow you into a life w/o health issues.

I tried to follow and do the right thing with dr's in my ear. My disappointment that came as a surprise contributed to an inexcusable amount of weight that is my worst enemy now.

All that I have done to change and improve has kept me in better health than I could have imagined when I began to take charge of all the issues.

I'm walking with you in spirit.

current weight: 255.0

305 263.75 222.5 181.25

140

Posts: 13
5/16/11 9:29 P

3 years ago I took a Semi-retirement because my health was so bad I couldn't keep up with a full time job. I had been off work for 3 months because I couldn''t walk around my house without getting short of breath and having my heart race. I was badly out of shape, required daily vicodin at leat 3 times a day for my osteoarthritis pain, my asthma (life long) was worse and I was very over weight. This year I was better, but my Doctor told me that unless I lost weight and exercised more I would have to go on a blood pressure med. I was trying to get a handle on my weight and had lost some and it helped. I stared to feel a little better, but now my blood pressure was up.. I was already taking a mild diuretic (maxide) but that had required an increase and it still wasn't working. I decided that I just didn't want to have to take more medicine, so I made a commitment to go to our company Gym 3 days a week and do something! Since my asthma keeps me from too strenuous an activity, and my right knee probably needs to be replaced soon, I decided I would also walk. About that time my Daughter-in-law challenged me to do the Bloom's Day race in Spokane Washington. I decided to take on the challenge since you could walk the course. So I began to step up my commitment and walk a lot more. I was suprised at how much I could do after only a few weeks.

On Sunday May 1, 2011 my 15 y/o Granddaughter and I completed the course. I was 7.5 miles with three hills plus the walk from our car, about a mile or so to the line up, a hour on our feet waiting for our start time, and about 1/2 mile to the starting line. When we finally finished the course it was another 1/2 mil of mostly waiting in line to get our "Finisher"s" t- shirt and then the walk back to the car! WE DID IT! I was admittedly sore and tired for a few days, but am back to my normal self and going to the gym on a regular basis.

The great thing was that today at the office one of my co-workers noted that I was loosing weight and looking better. When she asked how I did it I told her I was exercising more and eating less. Her immediate response was that she also had health issues and couldn't do that. I pointed out that I also had serious health issues, but I just made one simple commitment at a time. I didn't commit to a long work out every time I went, just to go do something, but as I did it I was able to gradually do more. Her eyes widened and she said "I'll start today, you have been an inspiration.

When I told my Doctor of the 7.5 mile walk and how that was one of my goals, he asked what I would do to keep it up after that. I told him having to see him would do it, but there is more to it, I now want it for me. I like the benefits I am getting and want more of them!

By the way, my blood pressure is down and I take very little Vicodin now ( not even once a week ususally).