Monday, July 12, 2010

I Am Losing It In So Many Ways!

Hello Everyone!
I have decided to start a blog! This blog will mostly be about my weight loss journey, but I plan to include life updates and how my faith in God is getting me through it all. I hope this helps me be accountable as well as being an inspiration to others!

I will give you a little background on myself and what led me to starting this blog:
I grew up one of 6 children. I definitely had my share of challenges in my childhood. My mother was a single mom most of the time. She did the best she could with what she had. My father went to jail when I was 5 for sexually abusing us. Childhood was tough for me. I did have some great moments and have some happy memories but unfortunately the negative apects of my childhood are in the forefront of my mind. I try to switch it but so far to no avail...
I met my husband when I was 13 (we didn't get married until I was 25) and that helped me get through my high school years. When I went to college I decided to change how I let people walk all over me and that helped me become more outgoing. I also started attending the church my husband grew up in and accepting Jesus as my Lord and Saviour has been life changing!
So fast forward....I got married to my "middle school" sweetheart on April 20, 2007. The BEST day of my life so far! He has gotten me through soo much! God knew I needed a man like him in my life and I am so grateful everyday I wake up next to him!
I have battled with being overweight my whole life. I have done a lot of different things to try and lose weight (nothing drastic or illegal). Out of my whole life this year has proven to be the hardest year I have ever gone through and I need to turn my life around.
My husband and I found out in August of 2009 that I was pregnant! We were so excited! I work as a professional nanny and have taken care of other people's children for years so the thought of having my own was awesome! Soon after we found out that the HCG levels were really low and that it was just a chemical pregnancy. (A pregnancy where the egg and the sperm meet but an embryo never implants.) So I had a miscarriage at about 5-6 weeks into the pregancy. It was devastating. We were told that a lot of women have one with their first and a lot don't even know it. So that gave me hope! We found out in November 2009 that I was pregnant again! I decided I didn't want to keep getting my HCG levels checked because it would drive me nuts. I would just wait until my 7 week ultrasound to see the doctor. The weekend before the u/s I started bleeding a little and I went to the ER. They did an internal u/s and saw a nice sac but didn't see an embryo. They told me that sometimes you can't see it that early so it gave me some hope. At my scheduled u/s that Monday they saw the same thing so they wanted to check it a week later. There was no growth and they told me I would lose that pregnancy. Heartbreak again! This time I went through a D and C because it was getting close to Christmas and the process was just awful. They did some testing on the tissue and found a chromosone abnormality so they had me and my husband go in for a genetic blood test. Fortunately, we both had no genetic abnormalities but what is cauing this to happen?
After the 2nd miscarriage we didn't know what we were gonna do. We got through Christmas and the next few months still undecided. To our surprise in April 2010 I found out I was yet again, pregnant! I didn't get excited at first. It was hard to think that this pregnancy could be successful. I tried to have faith. My levels at first were doubleing like they were supposed to and that helped. When we went for the first u/s we actually saw an embryo in the sac! It was small and they wanted us to have a repeat u/s the following week to check for growth and a heartbeat. So back we went the following week and there was a baby and a heartbeat! The best thing I have ever seen. They still wanted us to come back the next week because it was on the small side but I had so much more hope that this was actually gonna happen! A week later devastation struck again. No heartbeat. The baby had passed away. I just was in shock. I couldn't believe it! I was crying in the exam room. As the Dr. left I just cried out..."but there was a heartbeat last week!" So I ended up having another D and C the following Friday.
All 3 losses were hard but the 3rd one has been the hardest yet. I cry A lot at random things. I am envious of every person I see pregnant or has a child. It is constant in my mind.
We don't know for sure if my weight has anything to do with it. My OB told me that it isn't my fault but it is always in the back of my mind. I am going in August to see a specialist to do some further testing but I have decided that even if my weight did not cause these losses I needed to get it under control. I hope to have a healthy full term pregnancy some day and I believe the child God blesses me with deserves a healthy mommy.
So here is the start of my journey. My overall goal is to lose over 160lbs. I started this journey a week ago when my husband and I decided to do this together. We are going to do weekly weigh ins. My starting weight was 310.5 lbs. OMG!! This is the first time I am letting people know what I weigh. It is embarassing and I just cringed when I saw the number myself so I would appreciate everyone being supportive and no negativity allowed on this blog!
I am happy to report that my weigh in this morning was 305lbs. (did I just say happy about 305lbs?) I lost 5.5 lbs in the first week. Definitely helps with the motivation! I will be weighing in every Monday morning and will keep you posted throughout my journey. I will post my successes and my downfalls. I will post what seems to be working and what isn't. I will even post when I didn't eat well. The only way I am going to be successful is to be completely open and honest throughout this entire journey. I have had many Dr's tell me I should do weight loss surgery. That is my LAST option! I am trying to avoid that and I need your help! I am sorry this first post is sooo long but it is the first post! Thank you in advance for all your support and accountability throughout this process. All are welcome to comment and post their advice. I will post a "before" pic when I find one that I am the least embarrassed about. Love you all!!

14 comments:

  1. Steph,
    I just wanted to send you some hugs and encouragement and to tell you that you CAN do this!
    I lost 159 lbs several years ago (I started at 329) as you know, and I did it through WLS and I am SO glad to see that you consider that as your last option--it was for me because nothing else had worked, but it is HARD! Way harder than doing it through diet and exercise. Everyone thinks it is an easy way out, but it is not and so I am thrilled you are embarking on this journey in the manner you are. I am also thrilled beyond belief that your dh is doing it with you--what an awesome husband you have.
    As you also know,I have lost 5 pregnancies, so I understand the pain, the turmoil, the conflict and the jealousy of others--especially those who seem to take their pregnancies for granted and don't take care of themselves.
    I just sat here and grinned through your whole post because I can see in you the RIGHT attitude to succeed and I KNOW you are going to make it to a healthier, happier you and going to make a wonderful mommy some day.

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  2. Hi Stephanine,
    I just wanted to thank you for sharing so open and honestly. I am so sorry for all you have been through. As someone who has had many pregnancy losses, I completely understand the WANT! Wishing you much success in your weigh loss and your journey to become a mom.
    Hugs,
    Amiee

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  3. Hey Steph :)

    Thanx for sharing such personal information about yourself as you go on your journey.

    I am so sorry for all your losses. My heart goes out to you and your husband. Both of you will be in my thought and prayers.

    Good luck on your weight loss journey! I know how hard it is to loss the weight and keep it off. As you know I had WLS 6 yrs ago as a last resort. I lost 90 lbs with the surgery. This past January I needed to have a revision on the Lap Band. The band prolapsed causing my stomach to slip under the band and I was vomiting all the time and felt like I could not breath bc the food could not pass through. This only happens in 2% of patients. Mine happened bc one day I neglected to cut my food in small pieces and the food was caught and I forced myself to vomit, which resulted in the prolapse.

    Since the surgery in January I have gained 12 lbs bc they placed a 11 cc band instead of giving me a 4 cc band bc of scar tissue. This caused me to have no restriction on the stomach for 6 months bc the Dr slowly filled the band each month. So I struggled with hunger and bing eating when under stress. Finally I have the restriction I need to work with to lose the extra weight. So far in a month I lost 4 lbs.

    I am so happy for you that you are already seeing results on the scale. I can not wait to read all about your success each week. Its the best feeling just to see those numbers on the scale go down even if its only one pound a week. I am happy with one pound just as long as the numbers do not go up :)

    Again my offer still stands in the future if you ever need support for WLS.

    TTYL GOOD LUCK GIRLIE

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  4. Stephanie, you are very brave to do this publicly but it will help you be accountable. So many of us (including myself) struggle with weight. I am praying you will be successful this time and that your dream of being a mother will come true.
    g

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  5. So glad you are taking this journey! I know you can do it! I am glad Bobby is doing it with you! Jeff and I recently started going to the gym together and eating healthy.. its great to have the support~! Love ya!

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  6. Stephanie, I enjoyed your first post. You are an amazing young lady. To have been through so much and keep your positive attitude speaks volume of what type of person you are. I wish you luck as you start your weight loss journey. May God lay his gentle hand on your shoulder to help you ease your pain and guide you to your choosen path.

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  7. I just want to say Congrats on your new journey. I don't know if you have gone to my blog but I track my weightloss on the rightside. You can see I started in Jan and my weight has gone up and down since then, my heighest being 345. My last weigh in was a week and a half ago and I was 324. I have yet to weight myself again.

    I am also 12wks pregnant. So my weight is a big thing for me right now. I have not had a loss like you have had...every day is a milestone for me, as I'm sure you can understand.

    Most of my weightloss lately has been from my severe morning sickness cause I have NO energy to excersice. Once the m/s subsides, I plan to add a daily walk in my routine..hopefully I wont gain too much weight..

    Anyways, I wanted to welcome you aboard the blogging train ;).

    -Sarah

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  8. Stephanie,

    Your post made me cry. I think about you often and wonder how you are doing. I believe anyone can do anything they want. You can do this! I will be here along the way to encourage you and give you strength. One day you will be a mother. I will ask God to keep watching over you and to help you along your journey. Keep your head up hun:-)

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  9. Stephanie,
    i HAVE ALWAYS BEEN SO PROUD OF YOU, EVEN THOUGH WE DID HAVE TOUGH TIMES, YOU GUYS MADE IT SO MUCH EASIER, BECAUSE YOU WERE ALWAYS SUCH GREAT KIDS, YOU HAVE SO MUCH STRENTH, i WAS GLAD TO BE ABLE TO SHOW YOU HOW TO BE STRONG, I KNOW YOU WILL DO THIS, AND I WILL HELP ANYWAY I CAN,THERE IS NO ONE OUT THERE WHO DESERVES HAPPINESS MORE THAN YOU

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  10. Stephanie...good luck on your journey! i am wishing you all the best. i dont really have any advice about weight loss or pregnancy but i know how i try and stay healthy. i just try and eat mostly healthy and all i can tell you is my motto...everything in moderation. dont completely deny yourself anything it will just make you want it more and then there is the possiblity that you will fall off the wagon and over indulge. just make sure you eat enough calories throughout the day...6 smaller meals a day are better...never skip a meal, exercise, and get enough sleep and you will do amazing!!! i will be thinking of you!

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  11. I am beyond excited and SO very proud to have a friend like you! Especially one who does what it takes to make things positively happen in your life. You want something, and you go for it! I have had Gastric bypass in order to be able to have children for that someday when I try. I am by your side every step of the way, which ever path your life takes on your weight loss journey my friend!!! Lets start by walking together regularly!! BIG HUGS

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  12. I am so excited to see that you started this blog and that you are beginning this journey. My thoughts are with you as I know each day won't be easy. But just remember the "coffee cup" verse in Philippians: "I can do ALL things through Christ who gives me strength." Phil. 4:13 Got for it girl!!!!

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  13. Steph, I don't really have anything all that new to share that hasn't already been said, but I don't think a person can ever have too much encouragement. The road you are on is hard. Sometimes it will feel impossible. Some days you might decide you're done, but then a new day will come and you'll get up and do it again. As you know (like several of your friends), I've struggled with weight my entire adult life and I had RNY Gastric Bypass several years ago as a last resort to get healthy (I have to admit part of my motivation was the hope of someday finding someone to love and start a family with - I am eternally grateful that finally happened for me). It was the hardest/worst/best thing I ever did. I lost over 100lbs (some of which I have gained back again). I've found after the initial weight loss I am back to square one (so to speak) and it is now just as difficult as ever to lose those extra pounds! I encourage you not to feel pressure to be perfect, but to just slog through it every day. Enjoy the highs of success and don't beat yourself up when you fail every once in a while. I've been praying for you all year and continue to do so (my heart has broken for you more than once). Blessings on your amazing journey!

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  14. Congratulations on losing 5.5 pounds in one week, that's amazing! Keep celebrating each success as they come, and they WILL come! Mike and I love you both dearly and have been thinking of and praying for you over these last few months as we've both lost pregnancies. Don't just hang in there...kick some butt! Go Stephanie!

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