Today I'm getting personal. I'm not deliberately going to try and offend anyone. This is not a research based post like some of mine are, this is my heart. Maybe I'll be able to take a bit of taboo out of the subject. I don't really believe in taboo subjects.
Well this year is my year friends. I am on a waiting list with my private health fund and on Dec 2nd this year, I will take the plunge and have 'lap band' surgery.
I've had lots of feedback about this. Statements like "Isn't that taking the easy way out"....actually, there is no easy way out. I still have to exercise and watch my diet even more strictly. It's a tool so I can not feel hungry all the time. "Isn't it dangerous" ...actually, it's far less dangerous that being morbidly obese. "Can't you lose weight through diet and exercise"....Yes you can, and that's what I'm doing. I've lost about 50kg over my lifetime, it's not the losing it that is the trouble, it's the keeping it off. "You're not that fat"...the scales beg to differ, I have 55-65kg to lose to be in a healthy weight range!
Things you may not know about the weight range I'm in now, or about "Gastric Banding"
*At my weight I am at serious risk of developing many diseases and premature death, some statistics even say that I have the same life expectancy as if I have been given a diagnosis of cancer!
*I cannot enjoy life in the same way most of you can. I can't bend down as easily to look under things, I don't feel comfortable sitting in most positions, it's not a fun way to live your life. Getting into training has really helped in this area too. As I get stronger and lose weight I know this will keep getting better.
*Hardly anybody in my weight range gets down to a healthy weight and stays there....it's just the facts.
*I don't want to be fat any more. Just about no one at my weight does, but I do feel trapped in this body that doesn't even look like who I am inside.
*Lap Band surgery is not without risk, but if you know someone who is morbidly obese, or you are yourself, it's worth a think. Saying "Yes I really shouldn't eat that chocolate" or "I really do need to start walking more" Will never make a morbidly obese person lose enough weight for long term health. It takes drastic life changing choices, and everyday choices too, over a very long period of time. Anyone who is where I am, or has been where I am will tell you that it is a very very hard thing to do long term.
*I want to live to see my grand kids, and great grand kids. I want to be able to walk in the park and push my great grand kids on the swing. I don't want to get diabetes, or arthritis. I already have hip and back problems that I'm sure are weight related, as well as mood swings and hormone problems that fat storage aids. I don't want to die from, or be debilitated by a disease or ailment where by losing weight I wouldn't have.
Drastic surgery is not going to change my life overnight, I know that. This whole year (and probably beyond!) I am sticking with my Personal Trainer. I'm still trying to go to the gym 6 times a week when possible. I'm trying to eat lots of raw foods, less carbs, more protein, and cutting out processed sugar as much as possible (accept in the occasional beverage of choice....a girl has her weaknesses!) I've lost about 4 kg in 2 months and I'm HEAPS stronger and fitter than I was. I'm going to keep doing these things. I am worth it, I can do it.
Today's photo is of me, very glamorous, the first week in November last year, the first day of training with my Personal Trainer. I'd just finished my nervous wee and was about to start. 2012...it's my year!