I am a food addict. In some ways it may have been easier to be an alcoholic. At least you can drive by the liquor store. Passing the grocery store is not an option. In defense of myself, I was raised on Hostess Cupcakes and Twinkies. I could always eat an enormous amount of starches and sugars and still managed to keep my weight down. When I was younger and stressed, I had no appetite. Food was about as appealing as a pile of sawdust. I still managed to squeeze in my sugar fix, but not a lot of anything else. I was able to slide by until I got older. The older I got, the less I exercised and the more I ate. Instead of turning my nose up at food as I did in my younger years, I welcomed it like an old friend.
My "friend" saw me through failed relationships, a troubled son, elderly parents, and a teenage daughter on the brink of womanhood. The only way I was taking care of me was rewarding myself with chocolate ice cream and chocolate chip cookies to accompany it. My other friends were Peanut M & M's, Hershey Bars, and whatever other starch and sugar I could get my hands on.
2010 was probably one of the most challenging years of my life. My 24 year old son who was living with my daughter and me (on house arrest) went back to jail and is now probably facing prison time. My aging parents health was not good, and I spent a good part of my time helping them. Layer upon layer of stress encouraged me to eat more and more. This only added layer upon layer of fat on me. I was treating food as if it were a recreation instead of fuel to live.
The defining moment was when I turned fifty in July and saw a photograph of myself at the beach holding my grand nephew. I couldn't change the fact my son was in jail or my daughter was growing up. I couldn't control my parent's health. The only thing I could control or change were my eating habits. Just because I was fifty didn't mean I had to look like it.
With much anxiety and skepticism I entered the Medi-Weightloss clinic here in Lakeland, FL. My fears and doubts were erased when I met Dr. McFadden and everyone in the office. During my journey they have been very professional and supportive. I lost 10 lbs my first week and the rest is history. I lost a total of 40 lbs and went a few pounds past my goal. I am still not used to the new me and am only reminded as I am buying much smaller clothes or people comment on my change. I know that this has to be a conscious life style choice in order to remain successful. Even though I have been exercising as well, I intend to step that up even more.
This is the first of many blogs I plan to post in hopes I can help others take that first step. It is good to be amongst people who understand and can remain supportive throughout the process and be part of the celebration when the goal is met.
A big thanks to Medi-Weightloss in Lakeland, FL. It really is "the one that works!"
