On this day, 4 years ago, I was lying in a hospital bed awaiting weight loss surgery. I was both terrified and excited at the same time. Terrified because I’d never had surgery of any kind before. You hear so many horror stories about surgery! In our society, there also seems to be a perception that weight loss surgery is a non-necessary type of surgery. So that stigma just added to my level of stress. In many ways, I was ashamed I was having this surgery! I was admitting to the world, that I couldn’t lose weight without help! I was also excited for what was to come. I had no idea what to expect or how things would turn out, but I believed it would be better than the place I was coming from.

By the grace of God, I’m alive, healthy, well and living life. In many ways, life as I knew it has changed. Yet, my core foundation has remained the same and I firmly believe so much stronger now and continues to gain strength.

I’ve learned so much about myself, about others, about life, health, fitness and overall wellness. I’ve learned at the center of my weight issue was my food problem, my dependence on food to cope with emotions and the lifelong habits I built around dealing with daily life circumstances. Through it all, I’ve learned to own it, accept it, deal with it and move on, without shame, guilt or remorse. The years I spent with self-shame, believing I wasn’t good enough, negative words and thoughts didn’t work. In looking back, I think not loving myself actually made my weight much worse. This self-loathing seemed to drive me that much harder to eat more and more. This pattern and cycle almost killed me! Four years ago, today, I was ready to break this cycle with a new solution, a new game plan. Weight loss surgery actually helped me prepare, learn, cope and begin the healing process. I had some old wounds that I buried deep down inside by eating and pushing them further down instead of learning how to really deal with these overwhelming feelings. I basically had to get out of my own stubborn way of doing things too! My way wasn’t working. I needed help, a drastic solution and a dramatic result if I really wanted to live.

Even though I did the surgery for myself first, I thought of my husband, my son, my mom and family. I knew I didn’t want to leave them yet. I didn’t want that for my family. I HAD TO LIVE!

So here I am! 4 years later at my goal weight, actively participating in life and in my weight maintenance. I’m taking action daily to stay healthy, keep my weight stable, learn more each day and in sharing my experiences with you, hoping that what I’ve been through will help you along your journey.

I am grateful to be here on this day sharing my thoughts with you. I’m optimistic and filled with positive energy. There is hope, there really is the possibility of improved health, weight loss success and weight maintenance! I really do believe WEIGHT IT GETS BETTER!

May today be the day you say YES to you!  Say, YES to life! Say, YES to health!

I thank you for your continued support.

Stay tuned as we journey along together.