So What Might It Look Like?

I've written a couple of blogs lately about getting what we want, but getting what we want can seem pretty vague and ambiguous for some who have never been at a healthy weight.  Perhaps you can't even imagine what getting to a healthy weight will mean because you've never been at a healthy weight, at least not since you were a small child. 

I have a couple of friends who have never been at a healthy weight and who have each lost 100 pounds or more.  One friend is now at her goal and another still has 90 pounds to go, but they have both experienced remarkable changes in their lives, changes they didn't anticipate and couldn't have imagined.

My friend who is now at her goal is in her late 60's and had pretty much given up on ever being at a healthy weight.  Obesity was all she had ever known and she figured that was all she would ever know.  But when a friend encouraged her to give Take Shape for Life a try, she agreed, not knowing that this journey would bring her to a place she couldn't even imagine.  She lost 133 pounds in just over a year and, at 67, is traveling all over the world and even ran a 5K race (and came in 3rd place in her age category)!  She's ridden a camel in Egypt, climbed the steps of a pyramid, and just walked miles on her first visit to Israel.  She told me that she never would have been able to do these things if she hadn't lost the weight, yet she's done them with ease.  As you can imagine, shopping is a whole new experience for her and she delights in finding sale items in small sizes.  Every time I talk with her, she is bubbling with joy, enthusiasm and thankfulness. 

The other friend I mentioned has lost just about 100 pounds (96 and counting!) and has 90 to go, but the changes in her health and her attitude are remarkable.  This friend had been under the care of a specialist for several years due to elevated liver enzymes as a result of fatty liver disease.  Last August she was sent to a large research hospital for further evaluation and a second opinion and was told that she was probably looking at needing a liver transplant sometime in her future.   Then in October she decided to try Take Shape for Life for a month :-).  Within a few weeks, her liver enzymes returned to normal for the first time in years.  Eight months and almost 100 pounds later, she just saw her specialist again.  Her levels are now in the low normal range and her doctor told her that they really didn't have much to talk about (he was THRILLED!) and he also told her that he didn't need to see her anymore.  Eight months and she's gone from facing a probable liver transplant in her future (she's in her early 50's) to being released from his practice because she is healthy! 

This same friend also won the "Biggest Loser" contest at work and just earned top points in a contest at work that encourages people to incorporate healthy habits into their lives.  She is also wearing dresses again for the first time in a very long time.  Most important of all, she has hope and confidence that she will reach her goal and be buying next summer's wardrobe in her goal size.

I've shared these stories not only because they inspire me and hopefully will inspire you, but to also let you know that if you can't envision what it will look like to lose weight, that's OK.  Neither of these dear women were able to envision what it would look like, either, but they decided to go for it anyway!  They decided to move forward one day, one meal at a time and both have had results beyond anything they could have imagined.

If you can't wrap your imagination around what it will be like when you're at goal and living your life at your ideal weight, keep moving forward anyway!  You'll get there and you won't be disappointed.  There may well be unexpected benefits waiting!  Like my friends, just commit to taking it one day, one meal, and one choice at a time.  Choose wisely :-)