skeckland1

It has now been almost six months since I have begun my journey into a healthier lifestyle, and I felt that it was time to review my progress. I started out weighing 275 pounds, with a BMI of 47.  Currently, I weigh 204 pounds and have a BMI of 35. (Knowing what I know now, it is terrifying to think that my BMI was that high. I was in danger of some serious health issues!) I still have a long way to go, but I have definitely made progress.

Although I certainly enjoy fitting into smaller clothes and surprising people who haven’t seen me in awhile, the best part of my weight loss (and my continuing motivation) is the fact that I just feel better. I can now climb a flight of stairs without becoming winded, and I no longer feel my heartbeat in my ears after doing so. I can bend and stretch as much as I want to, and I no longer have to hold onto something to get up after sitting on the floor. I no longer have to sleep on my side in order to avoid feeling as though I am suffocating. And I can comfortably wear jeans again. Goodbye stretch pants!

I have also re-evaluated my goal weight, and have changed it from 175 to 150. When I initially began this journey having to lose more than 100 pounds seemed intimidating. (Losing 100 pounds was stressful enough!). I now know that I can reach a weight of 150 pounds, and that it will be a healthy weight for me according to my dietitian.  I am over half way there, and that in itself is amazing. I never would have thought, six months ago, that I would have come this far.

The best feeling of all, however, is the fact that I can look back now and know that I followed through with my weight loss plan. In the past I had often set dates for my weight loss goals, and they would come and go with no weight change. It was so depressing, and made me feel as though I could not lose weight. To have stuck this out, and made the changes necessary to get where I am trying to go, is a wonderful feeling!

To all who are reading this, please remember that you are worth the effort. It’s not easy to deal with weight issues, and sometimes it feels easier just to give up. Please don’t. The reward of being healthy, and feeling so much better, is well worth the effort!! You can do this!!

Today has not been my day. For those of you who read my post this morning regarding the bat on my couch, I am now undergoing the series of rabies vaccinations. Animal control released the bat before it could be tested!! I now feel as though I have been hit by a truck, as I needed SIX shots this morning, and will need to go in five more times!! The nurse was really upset with animal control, as this entire thing could have been avoided. If the bat had human contact, they are supposed to hold it in case of a need for rabies testing. Instead, knowing that it had been on my leg, they let it go. Well, at least I don’t have to feel guilty about an animal being destroyed, but it’s still upsetting because there was then no option but to go through with the shots. So, now I am extremely sore and extremely exhausted. On the bright side, I did discover that I have lost a pound this week!!

Well, buddies, I want to share a story with you that is completely not related to weight loss, but which may have helped me to lose a few pounds out of fright. I am chiroptophophic, which means that I am terrified of bats. I won’t run screaming with fright when they come out at night, but I will definitely head into the house. Anyway, last night I woke up crowded out of bed by my daughter who had had a nightmare. Rather than move her, I decided to sleep on my couch. As I stretched out half asleep, I suddenly felt something leathery on my leg. I instantly jerked back, half asleep, to discover a bat had been crawling on my couch!! It started hissing at me and took off flying around the room, and I then commenced to scream and run in circles, narrowly avoiding wetting my pants (the not screaming and running with fright only applies if they are outdoors!). After I regained my sanity, and had moved my children to the neighbors, I found the thing perched on my television. I called animal control who came and took it for me. Unfortunately, there will not be a happy ending for the bat. Because I had direct contact with it my doctor wants it tested for rabies. If it’s negative, that’s great, if not, I’m in for some shots. So, I am now running on three hours of sleep and need to head into the doctor for my appointment. Wish me luck, and check your sofa cushions for sleeping bats!!

Going through my old photos, I found one that really illustrates my “before”. I added a picture from today for comparison, and although I have a really long way to go in my weight loss, it helps to keep it in perspective!