Transformation

The past five weeks have been interesting ones for me, weeks in which I have had to completely re-think my life.  Or lifestyle.  Or something....  But let's start at the beginning...

In February, my knee started bothering me.  It hurt off and on for a few weeks, but eventually stopped.  At the end of March, my knee starting bothering me again.  One night, I was walking down a couple of steps and my knee just popped really loud...and it hurt like crazy!  I ended up going to the orthopedist, who told me "you have arthritis and will have to have your knee replaced". My Granny had bad knees two, from arthritis, and had to have both of her knees replaced.  NOT the news I was hoping for....AT ALL!

This news really made me stop and evaluate my life.  I'm 33 years old.  I am massively overweight.  Something HAD to be done!  I don't want to have knee replacement surgery any time soon.  I've been saying for years and years "Yeah....I need to loose weight" or "I'm trying to loose weight" or something like that.  I even made a few honest attempts.  But I've wimped out on everything that I started. I've always know that I needed to loose weight so I would feel better, so I would have more energy, so I won't develop diabetes (my other grandmother had that curse), so this and so that and bla bla bla bla bla....but there was never really anything concrete to give me the kick in the seat I need.  Until now.

I've decided to change.  And I've decided to make changes that are going to last this time.  I have to.  I am eating healthier.  I've stopped cooking with sour cream, cream of whatever soup, cheese, etc. on a regular basis.  We have cut back on the amount of meat we eat, and when I do cook meat I try to cook it in healthier ways. Fresh veggies are a huge part of our diet now, and I'm trying to cut back on carbs and fats. I am also making healthier choices, like salad for lunch instead of heavy leftovers from the night before.  We are also walking.

My goal is to make changes that have staying power.  I'm not on a diet.  I'm making lifestyle changes....changes that I intend to keep up for the rest of my life.

So far, things are going great.  When I had weighed a week ago, I had lost 14.2 pounds so far...and I know  I've lost more weight since then.  I'm actually excited to go weigh in tomorrow and see my progress.

So there's my story.  I am putting this out there for everyone to see, because I want my friends and family to keep me accountable.  They have all been so supportive of me on my journey so far.  I have made a lot of progress, but I have a long way to go.....but with the help of my family and friends and, most importantly...WITH GOD'S HELP, I can do this...I WILL do this!!

I can do all things through Christ, Who gives me strength!