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I Wear My Obesity Well

Posted by on Jun 1, 2009 in Health, Personal | 7 comments

I did two things last week that will hopefully put me on the road to better health.  They may also put me on the road to a nervous breakdown, but I’m taking my chances.

On Tuesday I marched myself (and three reluctant kids…they weren’t expecting this side trip) into our YMCA and registered our family as members.  I have been wanting to do this for a while and figured if I just went ahead and took the leap, I would have to feel compelled to go in and work out.  We’ll see how that psychology holds up over time.

Then on Thursday I went for a follow-up with the doctor who is helping with my high blood pressure.  It’s been three months since my last visit, and having to report to her that I’m not excercising, haven’t changed my eating habits, and have still not been monitoring my blood pressure at home (I haven’t even bought a cuff!) was basically humiliating.

I’m 35 years old and it drives me crazy that I have to take medication for my blood pressure.  Especially since there’s SO MUCH I could do to at least try to reduce my dosage or get off the meds altogether.  So…my doctor and I had a little “talk.”

She drilled me on what she called “my plan.”  What will I eat?  How will I stick with it?  What am I going to do for activity?  What is my time-frame for goals?  How will I reward myself for meeting my goals?  She was brutal, but in such a necessary way.  And by brutal, I mean she told me that I need to lose 85lbs.  Like, now.

The one light moment during an appointment where I otherwise wanted to cry happened when she looked at my BMI (Body Mass Index).  Figuring the calculations of my height/weight, she paused and said she never would have guessed that I fit into that “morbidly obese” category (oh, yes I do).  She commented that I sure wore my weight well.

Um…thanks?

Actually, I knew what she meant, because I think it’s one of the reasons I haven’t “gotten real” about my need to lose weight before – I’ve never really FELT “obese.”  My body’s framework has been able to carry the weight decently over the years, and it’s only been the last year when I have started to actually feel. the. pounds.

And, oh, do I feel those pounds these days.  I just feel so HEAVY.  Bogged down, less energy, blah.  I have too much pride to say that I would ever want to lose weight just to look good.  But losing weight to FEEL good?  That’s a goal I can get behind.

My doctor said I will not have any real success unless I keep a food journal, so I’m starting on that.  My husband and I are going to the Y tonight to take a tour and sign up for their 12-week personalized fitness program.  Aside from blogging about this, I’ll be keeping a paper journal, too, wherein I will probably scrawl on various days, “This stinks!” or “You can do it!,” depending on my mood.

This is going to be a long process, and I’m just hoping I can wear my optimism as well as I’ve apparently been wearing my weight.

You might also enjoy these related posts from Tree, Root, and Twig:

  1. Why They’d Never Take Me on “What Not To Wear”
  2. Things I’ve Learned from Working Out
  3. What to Wear to Type A Mom Conference?

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  • Marci Munoz

    Stacey, take a look at myfitnesspal.com. You can log your food intake there. It keeps track of your calories, carbs, sugars, protein. And, you can also log your fitness.

  • http://patandjen.blogspot.com Mrs. Ordinary

    You can do it! Really, you can! I’m so excited for your new journey.

  • rdefnet

    Good for you! I’ll be your e-cheerleader. :) You can do this and I know you’ll be so proud of yourself in a few weeks. And REALLY proud of yourself in a few months. Good luck!

  • http://mommycracked.net Mommy Cracked

    I was just thinking about the lifestyle change I need to make before reading your post. A food diary sounds like an excellent idea. I’m sure I would be shocked if I actually wrote it all down.

    Good luck!

  • http://www.afterthephoto.com Mom

    Stac-my concern is with your health. Your family genetics work against you…on both sides. They work against me as well. You have a long life ahead of you and since we’re all living longer I guess we’d better make sure we have some quality of life! It will take hard work and focus….it won’t be easy. I can relate to the high blood pressure! Been taking it since I delivered you and Jen. It is what it is Honey…BUT you CAN change it! Especially with what is available now. You HAVE to be around for those kidlets…even after they’re grown! You get it. xoxoxoxoxoxo :)

  • http://teahlo.blogspot.com Aunt LoLo

    You can DO it! Something that’s REALLY helped me this year is to have a group of friends to report to. My sister and I had babies three months apart last year, and both wanted to lose the baby weight. Enter – Friendly Competition! Whoever gets to their goal weight the FASTEST gets a set of handmade napkins from the other twin.

    We’ve extended the competition to be a support group with our friends. There are 10 of us, and we’ve all promised Presents to the other 9 when they reach their goals.

    I know what you mean – I carry weight rather well. My (120 lb) mother used to compliment me on it.

    If you DON’T have a group of friends who are game for a little Present Giving, e-mail me. There’s always room in our little posse. :-)

  • Pingback: Busting At the (Figurative) Seams « tree, root, and twig

  • http://ldscancermom.blogspot.com LCM

    I lost 30lbs about 6 years ago and I started with Oprah and Bob Greene’s book. It gave me a lot to think about. I used to be one of those girls who insisted that she never sweated. And now you know I wear that with a badge of honor, a wet badge. What I do now is for my kids. My genetics and medical history work against me and the quickest way to kill myself would be to gain weight. You can do it! The kids need you and you want to be there. Good luck. Let me know if you want to talk Y any time soon.

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