My reason for being

By now everyone knows that I had gastric bypass surgery on January 8, 2008. I went in for my surgery weighing a staggering 345 lbs. It was a changing day in my life (to quote Dr. Phil). I have been wanting but more desperately NEEDING to have some sort of radical change in my health for more than 10 years now. After years of disappointment, frustration and too many pounds to count I have finally started on my new journey. Let me tell you a little about how I got to this point in my life...

I began this life at a healthy 9 lbs. but according to my mother I wore an 18 months until I was almost 3 years old...wish I could remember that!! I know people try to blame their genes on their weight so much...that's because it is easier than taking on the responsibility yourself. I do have the "fat genes" in my family...thanks dad!! However, I had the most amazing grandparents anyone could ever ask for...my maternal grandparents gave my brother and I anything we wanted...including unending love and affection. However, that is NOT what put me on the path to obesity. I remember when I was in the 2nd grade my pop-pop would come and pick me up from school and there was a McDonald's right behind the school so he would take me over there and let me get a Happy Meal...but remember, I had just eaten lunch about an hour ago...so I didn't really need that extra meal but at 8 years old...who's going to pass up McDonalds??? Not only was that a perk but they owned a bait house and later a convenience store and guess what...we never had to ask for anything...we just walked through those doors and got whatever we wanted...so you see where I'm going with this...

Fastforward to today...almost 6 years ago I gave birth to the most amazing little girl God could have ever given me. She is my reason for being. I want so badly to be able to do things with her like go bike riding (she just learned to ride w/o training wheels), ride the fun rides at carnivals and theme parks but most of all, I want to be healthy so that I can be a better mother and be here on this earth for as long as God sees fit...which I hope is a very long time. I knew that without this surgery I would just continue to get bigger and bigger even though I wanted to be smaller. Food can be a very bad thing when we make such poor choices...and I did. My favorite places to eat WAS Wings N Things, Casa Ole, McDonalds and other places where I could get the really good fried food. But I don't want to allow food or my weight to define me any longer. I won't let it.

I had my surgery last week and much to my suprise I have not really missed the foods I once loved. Now don't get me wrong, I'm sure the day will come when I will miss it but right now I am so prould of myself for going through with the surgery and making this commitment to a healthy life that I don't want any of that stuff in my body slowing me down. Today is my one week check up with my doctor, I hope she is prould of me, I know I am. I have been walking everyday and eating right. I have lost 26 lbs. so far. Yeah for me.

I will most likely blog when I get home from the doctor so that everyone can know what is going on with me and how I am doing...this blog is going to be a deep look into my life and the changes that are yet to come...