Life Alterations

There have been many points in my life that altered my course to where I am now. Any variation I might have made could have led to a much different life than I have today, or at least different people. I'm reflecting a lot on this as my count down to turning 50 continues. I am not bothered at all by the age thing, but I don't want to look back at anything I may or may not have done with regrets about my choices.  I am fortunate to say that overall, I don't have any. I had a slightly different educational path than others in my field of work have had, but here I am working alongside them, with a wealth of experience I wouldn't have had in a more traditional path. I started a family young, but what I lacked in experience, I made up for with more energy than when DD#2 came along, but by then I had willing helpers. These were the big life points, and then there were other decisions along the way, conscious or not.

Two times in my life I made the decision, and followed through, on losing weight. Both times I did this, it had a profound impact on how I lived. The first was when I was in high school, eating a very calorie laden diet of peanut butter sandwiches and chips for lunch, and a lot of pizza, tacos, and other junk food on the fly from school activities and part time jobs. At 16, I  had a hip and then ankle injury that caused me to sit out of team sports my last two years of high school. The injuries weren't that bad, but my level of skill didn't develop to be competitive on the team. I still ate like I was working out daily, and soon the pounds stayed on.  Losing weight before my senior year of high school, and then keeping it off going into my young adulthood slender and healthy, kept me from putting on the Freshman 15. I had energy for inter mural sports and aerobics classes and waitressing to pay my tuition and rent. I could do hiking dates with my new marathon running boyfriend, now husband. I carried these good habits into my first years as a wife and mother, until, I took my first job in an administrative office setting, as opposed to in the classroom.  Nine pounds a year over six years jelled onto my frame. With proper diet, and more activity and less watching, I was able to knock about 30 of those pound off. This meant I felt good and could take my kids camping and back packing when there was little money for any other vacations, and could spend late afternoons and evenings comfortably swimming at the pool.I had the energy to raise two kids, work full time, and go back  to school. Still, I went into my last pregnancy 20 pounds heavier than with either of the other kids, and there it, plus another 20, stayed after she was born. A few extra pounds here and there and twelve years later, I was at a weight that had moved beyond overweight into obese. 

I've shed about 12 pound from that highest weight after I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis and a degenerative disc in my lower back two years ago.  While I won't be "cured" the physical therapy routine did wonders on helping me strengthen what I can, and the exercise helped lose the first layer of extra padding, and I've mostly kept it off. I am now 45 if not really 55 pounds overweight considering I have a fairly small body frame. Each day I let it continue, I feel my quality of life diminished. I don't want anyone reading this to think I am judging others that are comfortable in their weight and have decided being thinner is just not a priority. For me, those last two significant losses, though neither to this amount, meant I could participate in more, for longer periods of time, than when I was heavier. Granted I am not chasing toddlers and preschoolers any more, and I have no ambition to be a college student again, but I do have great nieces and nephews, and eventually perhaps grand children to play with. I want vacations with walking tours and incredible places to see with steps to climb. 

I have the doctors clearance, as long as my numbers stay well, particularly iron and vitamin D, to start an aggressive diet plan, with continued exercise. She loved my 10,000 step goal and suggested I get some strength training in there as well, and as my knees can bear, a bit more cardio than just walking. I can't stress enough how important it is to talk with a knowledgeable medical expert-knowledgeable about my health history and can make suggestions appropriate for me. I received a referral to a nutritionist, who will help me make a flexible diet plan that will work with my lifestyle, and not have me reliant on too many different meals from my family. I'd love to lose the whole 50 by my birthday, which would be a 2 pound a week weight loss. Unrealistic probably, but with both increased exercise and better diet choices, 1 and 1/2 doesn't seem too far off base, and if not getting me at a normal BMI, within reach. This goal is in the blog, so it is real.  Wish me luck.

More of this...

...less of that.

I like this Body Mass Index  BMI calculator from the National Heart, Lung, and blood Institute.