Fatsos Anonymous Update

Lovely meeting with the dietitian today.

Pyramids are out, plates are in... a very interesting way of looking at what you eat.

(see me spending time googling vegetable dishes)

She was upbeat and friendly.

She seemed to get from my comments

 (and who are we kidding here, I rambled on and on and on in answer to her leading questions)

She did a very good job of showing me I already had the tools in place... including the will.

So.  I feel good.  

Yesterday was a good food and exercise day.

Today is shaping up to be just as good.

I have found two possible marathons to sign up for in August... just waiting back to here if one or the other does or does not allow walking dog companions.  As soon as I get answers I will be filling out the form and sending the money in.  

Anyone care to take this journey with me, let me know!

We can share apps, websites etc and get our groove on virtually together!

  

Fatsos Anonymous.

Hi.  My name is April.  I'm a fatso.

Here is a picture of me in Italy 1998.  Not at my fattest, but close.

This picture is also in Italy 1998.  I had begun walking three times a week with a friend.  We did a mile or so.  It felt good, but it was hard.  Once we left Italy I got even heavier.  

There are no pictures of me from California (our next duty station) to hand.  

Mostly because I could not stand to be photographed. 

On the day of my gastric bypass surgery I weighed in at 377 pounds.

The surgery was successful from day one. 

 I lost 100 pounds in six months.

In this photograph I weigh 270 pounds... that was June, 2001

I was incredibly proud. 

 I felt good. 

 I could walk. 

 I could sleep through the night. 

 I was happy and sure of my continued success.

At my 2 year anniversary I had lost a total of 170 pounds.  

I looked fantastic.

I felt fantastic.

Then I got a tummy tuck and had 8 pounds of skin removed from my stomach.

(notice no under arm boob roll, and no ass lump)

I was very happy for several, several years.

Here I am riding again. 

Something I had thought I would never be able to do again.

I think I am the happiest I have been in years in this photo.

However. 

A few years have passed.

I am older.

I have gained weight.

It kinda just snuck up on me.  

One minute I'm buying larger jeans, and the next minute I'm back to shopping for plus size shirts and can't believe all my favorites either don't fit or look like crap.

Here I am on my birthday last year.

Weighing in at 230

Today I weigh 270. 

Again.

It has dawned on me today that I am back to that 6 month photo.

I look at that photo and it no longer makes me happy.

In fact, it makes me incredibly sad.

This is me today.  270 pounds.  Yuck.

Today I started marathon training. 

 I walked the first 3 of many miles ahead of me this summer.

Tomorrow I go to the dietitian for help with my food.

I also will be broaching the subject of a gastric band.

I'm miserable.

But I have the power to make things better.

I've done it before.

I will do it again.

The Fickle Finger of Fate laughing?... or True Encouragement?

This gorgeous map popped through my letter box today smack dab in the middle of the Norfolk County Council magazine.  It is one quarter of a two page spread about walking trails in Norfolk... two page spread, mocking me and my Frankenboot.  Laughing and pointing and giggling at the gimp getting fatter and more out of shape as each day on the couch goes by.

Or is it?

My first thought was of despair and misery 

(cue that old HeeHaw segment sung in by the words "Gloom, despair and agony on me!")

Then, as I read the little article about a new trail opening to connect the Nar Valley Way to Marriot's Way, I got to remembering the summer (three years ago now) that I walked, one day a week for five weeks (my one weekday off from my little bakery), the whole of Peddar's Way from Knettishall Heath to Holmes Next the Sea.  Remembered how much fun it was.  How some of the days I only did half the miles I had hoped because it was hot, I was tired, or there was just too much to look at to make any good time.  

My tootsies in the North Sea at Holmes Next the Sea 

after 16 miles of hot, wonderful walking.

I cannot begin to describe how good it felt to be sitting here, knowing I'd just walked 46 miles.

I want that feeling again.  I will have that feeling again.  I will also have those photographs of me that I like again... you know... the ones without the butt roll and the round face.  Those.

So I am going to take this as an auspicious occurrence   The fates, fickle fingered or otherwise have sent me this magazine article to cheer me up and show me what is in store for the summer.