Posts about Lost Over 100 Pounds

A Light to Guide Me

Dr. C. is a bright young ocular surgeon with a sparkling smile and numerous Ivy League degrees.  I am so grateful my higher power cleared my way to her. I believed all my health issues were solved by a hundred pound weight loss and 18 months of abstinence in FA.  All my doctors were delighted, my medical tests were stellar, I was taken off all my medications as well as CPAP.  Until, my previous ophthalmologist diagnosed diabetic retinopathy and fear overwhelmed me.  My years of diabetic denial and addictive eating had fired a consequential bullet not so easily dodged.  The doctor recommended immediate laser eye surgery in two days. At the clinic door, the day of the planned surgery, I hesitated – terrified.  During childhood, my beloved grandmother slowly went blind and losing my sight was my greatest fear.  It took a moment, but I managed a deep breath and... Continue Reading

 


 

My Energy Cape

I am lover of the ocean. I’ve been sold from the very first time I jumped into the South Pacific Ocean, in 2012 during my honeymoon to Costa Rica. My body felt good because the water supported my weight. Just being around the ocean ignited me. If I could, I would float in the ocean day and night. My husband liked the water, but it wasn’t love. At that time I was close to 240 pounds. During that trip, we stayed at an all-inclusive resort in Drake’s Bay, which had several activities you could choose from: hiking, horseback riding, snorkeling, etc. On our first full day, my husband and I (mainly me) chose snorkeling. I fell in love with it. For the next four days, I chose again and again to get on the boat. The boat would leave at 7:30am, we would have lunch while out and then return... Continue Reading

 


 

On the Brink

On my visit to my first meeting, my weight was 330 pounds and I was desperate to lose weight primarily because of the physical effects that obesity was having on my body and the mental anguish I was experiencing being overweight.  At 55 years of age, my body was no longer able to cope with or buffer the long-term effects of daily binging and food abuse.  These included dangerous hypertension—my blood pressure was 240 over 120, sleep apnoea, arthralgia, pre-diabetes, incipient heart failure, and renal failure secondary to the hypertension.  These diagnoses manifest as swollen legs, shortness of breath on exertion, tiredness, insomnia, and fatigue. I have lost 160 pounds through working the programme.  Since Day One, I had been journaling my food and keeping a daily diary, and there had been not one day that I have missed speaking and talking to God and writing my food in my... Continue Reading

 


 

Identifying Hope

I recently drove to visit with family and friends and to attend my high school reunion. I enjoy the privilege of having both Canadian and American citizenship and carry passports issued by both countries. When I arrived at the border, I was lucky enough to drive directly up to the booth. This is a rare occurrence. Usually there is a long line of waiting cars. I was very excited thinking I was going to zip right through and be on my way. I handed the customs officer my American passport and that’s when my plans of zipping right through the border came to a halt. I haven’t had a passport photo taken since I came into FA four-and-a-half years ago. In that time, I have lost 250 pounds. He looked at my photo; looked at me; looked at my photo; looked at me and asked, “Is this your passport?” I... Continue Reading

 


 

It Started with a Smile

At 58 years old, I believed I had no choice but to die of obesity. I knew I would have a heart attack or a stroke and, if I were lucky, it would be fatal. Or I would eat until I exploded. There was no other way out. I walked into an FA meeting late and sat in the last row, nervous and hopeless. As I sat in my seat the woman next to me gave me a smile. I don’t remember a lot that was said at the meeting but I remember that smile. I felt welcome and at home. I might not remember what was said, but I know I heard hope in that meeting, hope that I didn’t have to die from food addiction, that I had another choice. I learned of another meeting the next night and I committed to someone that I would go. That... Continue Reading