What Does Change Mean?

Although it's easy for me to talk about before and after as two distinct periods of time, many things have not changed. I lost 40 pounds, but I don't look back and think of myself as "ugly" then and "not ugly" now. In fact, I'm not sure that my confidence or self-image have changed a whole lot through this thing.

What has changed is the birth of this idea that my eating habits affect my health and that my health affects all other things in my life (including the people I love). I have heard stories of men and women that maintain healthy cholesterol, blood pressure and other indicators of health at a normal or even better-than-normal levels regardless of weight. I was not one of those people. As I gained weight, my blood pressure and cholesterol were skyrocketing. If image alone could have ever been a motivator, it would have been a long time ago.

Here are two photos I am happy to share. I think they illustrate the change that I made physically, as well as the lack of change in my confidence. Both photos illustrate moments where I was confident in my own skin.

February 2010 - 185 pounds, Size 14

April 2011 - 145 pounds, Size 6

I notice that most people like to share before photos of them in sweatpants, hair unkempt, and frowning. I choose to show these photos to illustrate the point that weight loss doesn't have to be about vanity. It can be about something much deeper than that. It's possible to be completely happy at any weight. It is possible for others to love you completely at any weight. I don't believe I am considerably more happy now than I was then -- except if you take into account my enthusiasm about the future. I definitely have more of that now.

Although I have to admit that shopping for clothes and getting dressed in the morning is a lot more fun now, I also have to also note that isn't the main benefit I've received from losing weight. The area that has improved most in my life is that of my spiritual well-being. The idea that I have now added years to my life, and quality to the years that I already had -- that's the true benefit.

I wasn't always able to see that far out though. I have to admit that the doctor telling me that I was shortening my life wasn't even my true tipping point (as I alluded to in a previous entry). More specifically, the real tipping point happened when one of my brothers and I were discussing the news from the doctor. He looked at me and said, "My children need their aunt. You're important in their lives and in mine. If you don't get healthy, you're being selfish. The rest of us need you around as long as possible." Woah. Lucky for me, my brother is just blunt enough to say something like that. He probably saved my life (or at least added years to it.)

This leads me to encouraging you to discuss your health with the people you love. If you're overweight, have your cholesterol and blood sugar tested. Have them tested even if you're not. Talk to your doctor about risk factors you are facing. Get comprehensive physicals. Then share the results. Talk to your friends and family. Decisions regarding your health affect everyone around you, everyone that loves you. It turns out that weight loss and weight maintenance really aren't all about vanity.

So, there you have it. Benefits all around. I hope that if you're considering weight loss as well that you are in it for the right reasons also. This is about length life, quality of life, and yes, there are some added bonuses (like actually looking forward to wearing a bathing suit!) involved too.

What I want to talk about in future posts is what worked for me in the journey to achieving a healthy weight, what I am doing to maintain it and.... finally.... I am going to have my cholesterol post-tested. I'll share the results when I get them.

If you have any questions, please post them in the comments section. I am an open book.