When Life gives you a Third Chance at life give it your BEST

 I started this blog after I was given a second chance at life. Those of you who have read through the posts know my story about addiction to Narcotic Medications combined with my food addictions.  If not please go to the first blog post and see what I was dealing with.  

       Now onto my third chance at life.  For the past 10 years or so I have been dealing with what I thought was Asthma. I was diagnosed by a lung Doctor so I had no reason to question. I have been using inhalers and inhaled Steroids for years. The last 5 years my "Asthma" has become worse.  It has been so hard to breath that I was waiting for that one final breath and thought I was going to die of suffocation.  I was wheezing constantly and any kind of exertion would cause me to cough and struggle to get air in.  I  did continue to try and exercise but would get light headed at times so would have to stop and catch my breath.  My O2 stats would be in the normal range if I was just sitting but would drop with exercise.  

      The next part of this experience is pretty amazing.  I decided I wanted to get my hearing checked and talk to the ENT about my dizziness.  I was thinking I was getting a return visit from Vertigo. Something I had experienced before.  As I was waiting in the exam room the  Physician Assistant came to talk to me and he said.  "You have been misdiagnosed!  I can hear you wheezing from clear across this room. You DO NOT have Asthma!" He then said I will be right back and in he came with his equipment to put a thin flexible tube through my nose and down into my throat to look at my vocal chords and the opening to my Trachea. He just shook his head and said, "WOW!"  He then sent his assistant to go get the Doctor and when the Dr. came in he looked at the monitor and just said, "WOW!" After I saw the pictures of my Trachea I understood why I was struggling.  There was a mass of tissue blocking most of my Trachea behind the vocal chords.  It was called Laryngeal Stenosis.  Surgery was planned and it was successful.  They did a biopsy on the tissue and it was scar tissue that had slowly grown from a surgery I had years ago.

    The moment I woke up from surgery I could breathe! It has been amazing. It has been 3 weeks tomorrow. There is no wheezing but I still do cough a bit. The Dr. told me that the cough will slowly stop as I heal over the next 6 weeks. I have so much energy.  I have been able to walk without any distress. I can swim and the Dr. was surprised I was able to do those things already.  I have had to be a bit careful in my activities because I feel so good and I am trying to not injure muscles because I can now move easily!

       How do you thank a P. A. that took the time to "just listen?" He could have gone on with his exam and sent me on my way. 

 I will be forever grateful for him...... 

I will take this third chance at life and give it my best!

    I just wanted to write this down so I would alway remember that someone took a moment to just listen and gave me a miracle. I believe in Miracles I expect them everyday.   

Seesaw

 Have you ever played on a playground toy called a seesaw(teeter-totter)?  I remember as a child in school at recess my friend and I would love to be on the seesaw. On occasion one or the other of us would jump off and it would cause a loud shriek and a squabble between us for the rest of the day.  It was so fun to have the challenge of sitting on it and seeing if we could be perfectly balanced.  Both of us felt like we were floating on air and we would just sit there for the longest time.  It was tricky to remain balanced. It took adjustments and shifting on both of our parts to have that perfect control.  Our healthy living can be looked at as a giant seesaw.  I know that when my seesaw crashes to the bottom I usually give out a few shrieks and always have a pity party. Then I dust myself off and mentally try to refocus myself on what is important and that is my health.  Physical health but also mental health. I know the proper steps to help me with both of them but sometimes it just seems like I don't care.  Have you had this crash on your seesaw?   When my friend would jump off and send me crashing down I would be so upset at her but always by the end of the day we were once again planning on running to be the ones that got the seesaw at recess the next day. There was only 1 and it was always busy. So, here I am 68 years old and I'm not giving myself the same forgiveness that I gave my friend.  I have just allowed myself to crash down and sit in my poor me party.  The hopeful thing is that I have had ENOUGH!! I have done somethings this week to help me to raise up my seesaw into a more balanced position. One end being my physical health and the other end my mental health.  I have planned to get at least 30 mins of good physical exercise in some form. I like to walk, I like to swim, I like to dance, and I like to hike so those are things I am looking at.  I am going to work on losing some weight. I have a weight goal that I feel good at and it is not as thin as I was a couple of years ago but its a good place for me.  I have signed up for ICL which is Institute for Continued Learning where I can take classes in person or on Zoom at the University that I live across the street from (I won't have a parking problem just walk!) I am doing adult paint by numbers and they are not easy. I am reaching out to friends that I have lost contact with and we chat right now through messages but plan to get together when life settles down. I am slowly trying to balance my seesaw! I wish I had the help my friend and I would get when the boys decided to tease us and they would get in the middle and hold it so neither one of us could get down!!  Oh the screaming we would do!!! The louder we squealed and screamed the more determined they were to see how long they could keep us there.....  I know there is going to be squealing and screaming as I try to keep my healthy journey seesaw balanced but as I look back at my younger self..... that was the part that made it fun!

Is your seesaw balanced?  Maybe now would be a good time to decided what you need to do to improve you healthy journey! 

My amazing inspiring friend.

 My friend is one of the most inspiring examples of never giving up.  She is 57 years old and discovered a lump in her breast. After the usual tests it was discovered that is was very aggressive and required immediate treatment.  She began the Journey to fight for her life.  She started with a lumpectomy the week our world locked down with Covid.  Some things just can't wait!. Then Chemo started.  I was so lucky when she invited me to meet with a wig specialist to help her find a wig that was close to her original hair. That lady was so kind and sweet and patient and gave her a lot of good tips that would help her down the road.  When the Chemo started her long beautiful hair began to fall out in clumps.  I again was invited to go with her as she had her head shaved.  She, the beautician, and I shed tears as she gave up her beloved hair to donate to a charity that makes and donates wigs to children with alopecia.  At the start of her journey she had been diagnosed with a heart issue that would require surgery that was scheduled after her 12 Chemo sessions that she had every 3 weeks.  She did quite well with Chemo and then faced the heart surgery.  The surgery discovered that part of her valve was damage and they were going to have to open her chest and do open heart surgery.  By the grace of God there was a Doctor in the surgery who had heard of a new valve that was being used in Children up in SLC. They took all the measurements and found it would work for her.  They had to contact the hospital in SLC which is 250 miles from us and they life flighted the valve and she became the first adult to have this value and had the less recovery surgery.  The week after her surgery her hubby became ill and they found out he had Covid. They had been so very very careful.  She then came down with it. They have recovered and she is now starting 6 weeks of radiation.  It has been such a hard year for her but she did so well. I think a lot of it had to do with her very positive attitude.  The other day she sent me a text that she was now able to get back to her walking and could walk one and a half miles without to much stress.  The thing that I have been so impressed with her is she sent me a text the end of December stating  that she had finished her goal.  Her goal was to do 200 workout in the year 2020.  If she can do that with the year she has had I need to dig a little deeper and do more for me.  Can you dig deeper?

Why did I blog

Some of you know my story-some do not.  I started this blog to challenge my mind to heal after coming through a very hard struggle to fight my way back from narcotic drug addiction 11 years ago!(can you believe that?)  In trying to help me with my use of Lortab, oxycontin, etc my Dr. put me on Methadone which I now know is a difficult narcotic to kick and recover from.  It can be done but the withdrawals can carry on for an extended amount of time. After a few months I realized that I had great difficulty in writing, reading, and concentration.  I look back and I'm so grateful that I was able to come through that because at times I wondered.  I still have some struggles but I blame most of them on my constant companion Fibromyalga.  My blog was something that became a friend and support system.  You became my friends and support system.  I have been asked many times why I only blog now on rare occasions.  My answer....... I felt like I didn't have important things to share with you. I guess I let some negative situations and comments sway my thoughts. Maybe my blog was not helping you as much as I had hoped. I want to encourage, motivate, and inspire. I don't want others to feel I'm judging or bragging.  Yes, I let some words that should have rolled off my back stab in a little.(a lot)  It has made me hesitate in blogging things that I think might motivate you.  I have met and become friends with so many of you that started reading my blog and carried me for years.  I am sorry if I have hurt any of you with my words. I am still in the struggle with my healthy journey.  I have gained weight.....  I don't have any desire to be back at my lowest weight so I have to work on my thinking because I was not at my healthiest then, but those weight numbers keep calling to me! I want to be at a weight that my body can function strong, and my lab numbers are in line.  I know I need to lose probably 20 lbs to be in a better area for my knees and feet to be happier!  So.... the journey continues and begins again.  Please join me and we can work on our healthy journey together.  You can find more about my journey at my Why Not Today Lifestyle page. 

Thankful! 2009-2019

As Thanksgiving 2019 approaches I have to reflect back 10 years ago.  10 years ago I was fresh out of rehab for Prescription pain pill addiction.  I was still having many withdrawals symptoms coming off the Methadone.  Methadone has a long (up to a year) withdrawal time frame.  I didn't feel good at all but still wanted to try to do all I could to bring my life into some kind of normal. I am grateful that my family lifted and carried me through a lot of that year with help from above.  I have accomplished so much in every aspect of my life since then.  I still struggle with the grip of Fibromyalgia and some days are pretty tough but most days are a blessing.  I should not have lived as I was so deep into my addiction.  I wonder so many times how I woke up to see a new day? I know that one reason I lived was that I have been able to help so many people realize that there is hope and that we can reclaim our health.  So many of you have carried me on my healthy journey and I can only hope that I have carried you as well.  I know that I need others to keep me strong and you have been there. I haven't written often in my blog but I carry you in my mind and heart.  I am thankful that I was brave and strong enough to take that first step into health 10 years ago!  Is it time for you to be brave and strong enough to take that first step too?

Experiment. That’s how I learn.

I have been watching the times people view my blog for years now and I have made an interesting observation. If I attach a video then my blog has very few views. If I don’t the views go way up. I realized my posts are being blocked because the videos are not from the same platform as my blog. I think you would enjoy seeing them. Eric also sings some absolutely stunning broadway songs in some of these videos. All I dare suggest is you search for Why Not Today Lifestyle and you will find videos.  I don’t know if this post will be allowed widespread viewing. This is also part of my experiment. Thank you for being my test subject!

Holiday Battle Plan.

This is our most recent live show. Please comment on this blog what your battle Plan is. We can help support each other in our healthy journey. https://youtu.be/Vlk-D7r1BRo

Ongoing addiction.

I am an addict! I am a recovering drug addict which if you’ve read my blog this will not come as a surprise. I’m also a food addict which is also not a secret. I will struggle with these all my life and need to be diligent with my recovery.  Sadly  I’ve slacked terribly with my food addiction.  I know the steps required to begin my food addiction recovery but I’m finding every excuse I can to not begin. I had health issues that I had beat down into remission with my (former) healthy journey but I can feel them stretching to be released to start controlling my health again. I am posting this on my blog as a commitment to you that I will begin my Healthy Journey again today. I like to refer to this process as a journey because it is going to have its ups and downs. So many of you have been with me from the beginning and I say thank you. You support me in so many ways even thought I’ve never met most of you.  Today is a good day to start to fight for my health! Care to join me? Why Not Today?

Walking in a sacred place. a

I have walked and explored this community of ancient ruins many times. My son decided to document some of it before new homes are built on top of it. I feel sad as I see much of our history gobbled up for the sake of money. https://youtu.be/a_eAIpMsXQI

Breast Cancer Warrior

Today on our Why Not Today Lifestyle show we talked about Breast Cancer  risk factors. I lost my sister to this horrible disease when she was 63 years old. She fought a hard fight for 10 years and I was so proud of her.  I miss our long visits we had on the phone because we lived 300 miles apart. I hope you can watch and listen.  https://youtu.be/rAkAdpTuq7s

New Adventure! Why Not Today Lifestyle!

I have started a new adventure with my son.  We have started a fb page and do a live feed once a week on things that we hope will help others have hope, health, and happiness.  We have been doing this for a few weeks on Tuesday mornings at 10:30 mst.  Today we talked about different addictions and some ways to recognize if you are addicted or how to get help. Please go onto Youtube and search Why Not Today Lifestyle and catch a few episodes if your interested.  I plan on posting them to my blog when I figure out how to do it!!!  hahaha.  I missed your support and need all the help I can get to "keep on Swimming."

New Adventures!

Hello Friends,
        As you have noticed I haven't been posting my musings on here! I needed some big changes in my life and so I have joined with my son a long time entertainer and motivational speaker to reach out to you about many of the challenges we all face. Also fun things that we do and fears we face.  Please look at our pages below and subscribe and follow.  If you feel like you would like to join in our healthy journey please join, like and share our page!  We can do this together. 
Thanks

https://www.facebook.com/WhyNotTodayLifestyle/
https://www.youtube.com/whynottodaylifestyle
https://www.instagram.com/whynottodaylifestyle/

My Friend, My Hero.

I have so many people that I admire and consider my friends but today I want to share about someone who lifts me up every time I see her.  This hero is a women who is close to 65 years young.  She is someone I met at a group meeting of WW (formerly Weight Watchers)  One day as I walked into meeting she had tears streaming down her cheeks as she shared that she had just gotten the results from her recent blood work, test, and scans. She had Pancreatic Cancer.  She said that it was advance and she had about a year to live. That there could be treatment options and it would prolong her life but with some very strong side affects.  We talked about how she felt about treatment and how her family felt.  She had decided to pass up on treatment and settle her affairs and live as fully and vibrantly as she could.   I did not see her for a week or so but when I did she was just exiting a Yoga class at the local gym.  I asked her how she was doing and she said that she was going to do all she could each day and live a life of joy!  Her comments really hit me hard as I was so reluctant to go exercise that day and she was calling it "joyful?" I visit with her often at the gym and she always tells me to never give up! To enjoy my workouts and find the joy in them.  As I talked to her this past week she expressed that she decided to have treatment now  and that she was unable to chew or hardly eat for 5 days of the week because of the terrible blisters her medication causes in her mouth. She then said with a chuckle that she sure made up for it on the two days she could eat. She also told me about a great posture class that I should try with her. Always lifting and encouraging others even when she is hurting.  She just won't give up and give into cancer.  She is my Hero.  I have never seen her at any time before or since this diagnosis to be down and out about anything. As I listen and learn from her I want to soak up that positive attitude and live my life full of joy. She makes those she is around want to do better and more as they see her example.  We need more hero's like her. Those who quietly and with example teach us that each day we can have a life of joy.  I am lucky to call her my friend.

Swampy slump.

 I have had a lot running through my mind the past few months. Wondering If It was time to stop blogging. I write for me and hope that I can help you as I write about how I am feeling and doing. On a recent trip I had an interesting experience. I was traveling through an airport and heard an excited voice exclaim! " Is that Mrs. Dodge?  Yes it is!  I am so excited to meet you Mrs. Dodge!" "You are a huge inspiration to my wife and I!"  As we visited more he explained that he and his wife read my blog and it helps them! This was not something I expected to hear at 6:00 AM in the airport.  This is not something I expect to hear at any time so it was quite precious to me.  Let me explain.

I lost my weight to regain my health. I never in my wildest dream thought I would be able to help others to become the best they could be. It just happened. I reclaimed my life and began to share it. You all began sharing with me your success and your frustrations but you also gave me your encouragement and support.  You give me hope and drive to continue on. I think of the things you post on my blog and I am so thankful to be able to hear that I am helping in some small way.

So.........
I have been in a slump as far as exercise and eating well.  I know that it will always be a struggle to keep my health and weight in line. I have fought and struggled with my self for quite some time but the past few weeks I've been starting to slowly crawl out of the slump.  It feels good to take control again and start to move.  I have to move or my fibro begins screaming in my ears that I hurt. I began by walking slowly and have been able to pick that back up pretty easily. (our bodies are so forgiving of being neglected!)  It feels good to be out and moving along. I then signed myself up for a program at our local hospital that I am really enjoying.  It is in the Live Well center.  I went in for an evaluation and spend about 3 hours going over my eating habits, sleeping habits, and especially my mobility.  They even put me in a bod pod and measured my "fat."  During one part of the evaluation I was required to do a lot of balance and strength tests.  The physical therapist doing the assessment shook his head and said he didn't know what to do with me as far as the type of exercises I needed to be doing.   I tested in all of the levels as a much younger person. He said there were two usual sets of exercises, one for younger people and one for older.  He decided to do my exercises as a "younger" person staring with strength training so I go and lift weights and work on resistance machines twice a week.  They are starting me low on all areas because they do not want to cause injury to my already blown wrists. I wear weight training gloves that are shocking pink and that gives all the trainers a chuckle. There are 2-3 trainers in working with a group of 10 of us. I have been sore but it is a good sore.  It is a sore that says I am working to strengthen my back, hips, and shoulders. My frozen shoulder is loving that it has free movement again. It feels good to be taking care of me.

I hope that if you are in a slump that you try to get yourself going. Its hard. I know but once you have done some form of exercises for a few days the slump begins to lift.  I think of so many of you when I walk and wonder how you are doing. Or what I can say to get you to begin your healthy journey. It is really hard at times but it is really worth it.  Let's end this year on a "high" instead of sinking into the swampy slump.  Thanks for picking me up and carrying me when I have needed your help

My Grands youtube channel

My grand likes to put videos onto youtube.  They are pretty funny. Here is a link if you want to see his videos
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjaURNZOsuqB1PZEpMJHFdA

A Tale of Two Babies

This post is a tribute to my daughter and the two little baby boys who have impacted our families lives in the last two years. My daughter has struggled for a few years with the health issues that plague a lot of people who have excess weight. I say this with great love as a mother. She had forgotten how to take care of her own health as she helped take care of her family and work a full time job.  She found out that she was expecting a baby and we were cautiously  excited as we knew the risk of her carrying a healthy baby to term with diabetes and high blood pressure.  She was really struggling with her diabetes and had to begin insulin injections very early on. She never felt good and seemed to catch a lot of infections.  Because she was over 40 she was encouraged by her Dr. to have genetic testing and she agreed.  At that time she was told that there were two genetic conditions that would make the baby unable to survive. That they were very rare and the Dr. had only had two babies with either condition  in his many years as a high risk Dr. One day she got a call from the Dr's office that she needed to come in right away. She asked me to go with her as we knew there must be a problem  As we sat in the Dr's personal office we talked about what we thought it could be and the challenges of raising a special needs baby but she felt she would be a great mom to such a baby.  The Dr. came in very solemnly and said I am very saddened to tell you that your baby boy has Trisomy 18 one of the  genetic conditions that a baby will not survive.  We sat there stunned. This had to be a mistake. He said before we repeat the test we will do an ultrasound to confirm.  She was immediately taken into the ultrasound room and there we saw that this little baby would not survive. The tears flowed and my heart broke as I watch my little girl tremble and sob as she looked at the images up on the screen. We have talked a few times about that day and the images of that special baby will be forever in both our hearts.  Several days later he was delivered and all we have of him are the prints from his tiny feet.

After this my daughter functioned and did what she needed to do but seemed to just survive. Any mother who has lost a baby and dreams of the future know this terrible time of mourning.  She began to feel better and started taking some interest in her health. Going through this had made her realize that her health needed to improve greatly . I am so grateful for this little boy and the motivation he gave to his mama to fight for her health and her life.

I now want to share with you about the second little boy.  My daughter was once again expecting and of course the concern was high. The pregnancy was going well and as perfect as could be.  She was  following all the guideline for healthy eating. I can not imagine how many finger pokes she endured while pregnant to keep a close tab on her diabetes.  It has to be in the hundreds if not thousands. She kept in close contact with her doctors, visited with diabetes specialists, and followed their guidelines. Each month as she went into her OBGYN her doctor would say everything was "gorgeous!" Her diabetes, blood pressure, and weight were in good control.  In mid December she woke up one morning to a gush of blood.  After contacting the Dr. and being evaluated by an ultrasound it was confirmed that the baby was fine. She was sent home to bed rest. She had 4 more months to go.  I can't imagine the fear that was in her heart. Put on bedrest during the holidays, having to step down from her teaching job and the impact that would cause to the family finances. But she did as she was told and settled in for the long haul.  She began having contractions frequently and that added to her concern.  She had two genetic tests to see if all was well with the baby and those came up "No Results." Apparently if a baby and mother are close in DNA markers it will not show if there is a genetic change.  Also heavier mothers often get "No Results." The high risk specialist did several diagnostic ultra sounds to try to determine if there would be any genetic conditions that would affect the baby at delivery.  Every ultrasound came back that the baby fine. About 3 weeks ago she began having symptoms of early birth and pre eclampsia. Her blood pressure was going up and she was retaining water. She spent a weekend in the hospital while the tests were all completed and she was given through an IV the medication that would help the baby's lungs develop and function if he was born so early.  She went home on continued bed rest and at that time had to start doing frequent finger sticks and give herself injections of insulin to keep her blood sugars in line. She was seen every other day by a high risk Dr.  At one of those visits it was determined that she needed to deliver as her blood pressure was going to high for her safety. That she had fought the fight to hold onto this little boy for as long as was medically possible. Her baby boy was born and rushed away to the Newborn Intensive Care Unit.  He needed assistance with his breathing.  He had many of the issues that premature babies have. She went home and left him in the care of the specialists. She has healed rapidly and been able to go in and spend time with her little "miracle." One of the things she has been most proud of herself for accomplishing is that she is almost 15 pounds less than she was when she got pregnant. That is very impressive as most mom's gain 25-40 pounds with a pregnancy. That shows how determined she was to be healthy and give this little boy the best start possible.  Her little boy continues to grow stronger and will soon be leaving the hospital to go home and join his brothers.  He just has to work a little more on learning how to eat. I want to say how proud I am of my daughter. She was given a second chance and she did everything in her power to have this great outcome. Her 3 sons and husband worked together and did all they could to make sure this little brother had the best chance possible.  Miracles do happen!

13 year old teacher!

I have a 13 year old girl who attends one of my Weight watcher meetings with her grandma.  The beautiful thing about this is she comes with her grandma and her other grandma is there saving them a seat. The love that is demonstrated as I see this young teen flanked on each side by a loving and caring grandma is just beautiful  Her mother is unable to attend that meeting so comes to one I lead during the week so she can reinforce what the young teen is learning.  She is attending with the approval of her Doctor and is coming to learn about healthy eating habits, balance in what she eats, increasing her activity, and serving sizes. She is quiet and shy and usually does not participate vocally in the meeting. A couple of weeks ago she raised her hand and said she wanted to tell us about a book she had read. She was very animated and excited about the book. She explained that it was on the list of recommended books for her grade to read.  She described the book about a teenage girl who weighed 300 pounds and about her journey to learn to love herself.  The book is titled "Skinny." The Author is Donna Cooner. I decided that I would get the book and see just why this teen was so impressed to share with us.  I read the book in about 3 days.  It is written for the teen crowd but I really enjoyed it.  "Skinny" is what the girl in the book named that "voice" that she had in her head.  That voice we all have in our head.  The voice that talks to us and tells us we are not good enough, or pretty enough, or strong enough etc.... I was surprised at how I could relate and appreciate the lessons  in this book.  We all have that voice that whisper to us. Often that voice prevents us from doing something that we want because of the doubt it creates. We all have that voice but we all have the choice to listen to it and let it stop us or go on with a new voice that tells us positive things.  I am so glad I listened to that quiet teen as she shared a very important message. I hope the Author knows how important her message is to not just the teenage readers but to this oldster too.

Slamming The Door.

I haven't been feeling  great the past few weeks.   I have let up a little on the things I need to do to feel good. I have stopped walking because I don't seem to have the energy which then backlashes me to not feel good mentally.  It just seems to be a constant battle.  Exercise(don't want to)  Eat better(Oh! Just one cookies? Right!!!) Take care of yourself(to tired.) Sound familiar?
When I feel good I forget(almost) that I have Fibromyalgia. It is always worse in our summer months. The heat and monsoon storms seem to let the Fibro loose for a while.  I experience the aches and pains that come along with it. The tiredness just makes me feel like I am wrapped in concrete. The brain FOG.  Oh, I hate that!  I go along for a few weeks not really realizing that my old enemy is trying to move back in. I have a friend who has been going through awful Fibro flares. I have heard of her struggle and hope. Then it dawns on me! Fibro is once again knocking at the door wanting to come in.  If I just open it a little more then Fibro can slip in and stay.  Now I recognize this I know what to do to slam that door for now.  I have done this before and I can do it again.  Fibro is not welcome to live in my body. So... the fight begins. To get walking and get in the pool. To start eating the way my body responds the best. I know how to do this! I know how my body responds. I want to feel better, stronger, and mentally sharper. So for now!!! Watch our Fibro!!!

I love my Job

I am often asked why I work for Weight watchers? I first want to say that I am not promoting WW. I am not trying to talk anyone into joining. It worked for me. Plan and simple it helped me to continue losing weight on my healthy journey.  I believe that there are many ways to lose weight that are healthy.  I was able to lose my first 50 pounds following the diabetic diet. I quit eating all white foods and  learned to love the brown breads, rice, etc. I had to learn to eat and like fresh fruits and veggies.  Yes I count my points but it is not burdensome to me.  It was a game to see if I could do it each day. A challenge!  I like challenges. I loved the support I received from others at the meetings.  When I lost to my goal weight I was asked if I would like to work for WW. I didn't hesitate and started training the next day.   I am so lucky to be with others who are seriously working on weight loss.  Working on increasing exercise and really investing in taking care of themselves.  I have to say that I love my job.  I can share in the triumph of other peoples accomplishments.  Most important I get reminded each day I work of where I was and where I am now.  I sit and listen with a full heart to men and women who say they do not like themselves. They hurt both mentally and physically as they talk about the weight gain.  Some do not know how much it hurts to have excess weight.  Hips, back, knees, shoulders, joints all seem to scream as you move. Each step is a challenge for some of the members. I think of the rashes I would get from skin rubbing on skin as I listen and can relate to a member talking about such a personal problem. Bladder leakage? Yes, I know about that.  I look at the members who come to the meeting and I can still see the marks left by their cpap straps that have been pressing into their faces.  I am reminded that I would get up very early so that the lines would be gone if I had to go out somewhere. I remember the tangle of the oxygen tube and the hum/hiss of the oxygen concentrator  hooked up in my laundry room. Having to take spare oxygen tanks with me when I left home.  I look at their slip on shoes and the elastic wasted pants. The clothing worn to be comfortable. I am reminded I was always on the look out for clothes that might fit and slip on shoes that would fit on swollen feet.  I watch as they wipe sweat off their faces from the effort to come. So many things that my thin friends will never experience.  As they are talking and pouring their hearts out to me I like to look them in the eyes and say. I know! I care! I did it! You can too!  I have watched many of them lose and improve their health. I have watched some leave that were not ready. It is hard! It is long! It is work! It is dedication! It is something that is possible! I also notice when someone stops coming. I would love to see everyone be able to reach their goals but I also understand that there is so much involved and maybe they were not ready right then. I have had others tell me they are going to stop and try something else. I am glad they are continuing taking care of themselves  I always look forward to going to work. I work with such appreciative people. I really appreciate them as they help me along the way on my healthy journey. I hope they know that they are my greatest support team.  They keep me keepin' on.  I Love My Job!!

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