TIME TO RESTART

2013 was a very different year for Michele and me. It actually goes back to late December 2012 when I had heart spasms while undergoing tests. That caused a bit of a scare which was later resolved with January 2013 follow up.

Then I decided to run for City Council in Kyle, Texas. That took us into a campaign from February until an unsuccessful runoff that ended on June 2, 2013. What an experience.

ATX 100 struggled during a time when RunTex was experiencing business difficulties. The group began to dissolve. But with the help of two dedicated women, the ATX 100 group and its concept has become Fit on Your Feet-ATX. For those of you who were part of ATX 100 and haven’t found them yet or if you are looking for a group to improve your overall health email them for information.

fitonyourfeet@gmail.com Or you can find them on Facebook Fit on Your Feet-ATX.

Summer came and went and by the end of Fall 2013 I realized that I had abandoned all the things I had been doing to lose weight and become healthy. I stopped tracking what I ate, I stopped any planned exercise and I generally coasted to a standstill.

How do I re-start? First thing was to go back to the doctors. I submitted myself for a colonoscopy and results were great. I took my annual physical in December and everything came out great. Accept of course my weight. Next up on my schedule was my cardiologist. I was surprised that I had (I will say only) only gained 19 lbs in the last year. Again everything checked out great and all my tests were perfect. Accept of course for my weight. Next week I go to a pulmonary specialist to complete the “4 Doc Run”. 

2013 comes to an end and I start out 2014 in the hospital again...this time Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). And I mean in the emergency room DVT. My cardiologist said "that is the worst clog I have ever seen in someone who is still alive." Wow that really sounded positive. So now with medication and numerous follow ups and imagining stuff...I am? Better? Now I am 40 pounds heavier and barely clinging to a net 30 pound loss from way back whenever.

I know I am not the only person who has struggled with their weight. Some people have that defining moment when they decide that enough is enough. Some don’t ever have that moment. I don’t know what challenges you may face. To paraphrase a concept from AA…”I need to own my obesity.” It is not anyone else’s responsibility and I can’t blame the past, present or concerns about the future.

I can live each day to the best of my ability. Make as many good choices as possible. Be grateful for my family, friends and all the blessings in my life. And I can’t let a day go by without making sure that Michele knows how much I love her.

So I start again. October 1st....in 3 more days I turn 68. I intend to take the next 60 days to get back on track and to explore all the options available to lose weight. One difference today…all the other times I have ever lost weight I always eventually gained back all the weight I lost and become heavier then when I started. Not this time. Not this time...So 

It helps me to write this down and share it with others that care or people I don’t even know. If you want to get email telling you there is a new blog entry…send me an email or use the contact form to be added to the email list.