MissEM

Hi everyone. This is my first post here. But I thought this was a very appropriate place to start. My straw was getting on a plane for a business trip and having to ask the stewardess for an extension belt. As I sat there tugging at the belt trying to make it fit, I had to decide whether to ask for the extender or pretend that my seat belt fit. In the end I decided my safety was the most important thing. But that experience was mortifying. When you add that to the fact that at 35, I have been on blood pressure medicine for the last three years and have chronic back problems and arthritis in both knees, I knew I had to do something. I have 10 nieces and nephews that I adore and want to see grow up. And if this was me at 35, I couldn't imagine what 40 and 50 looked like. I decided to be selfish for the first time in my life and take care of me. I always take care of the people I care about, be it my family or friends. But in the process I neglect myself. Well guess what??? I realized if I didn't take care of me, I wouldn't be here to take care of the people I love. Once I found out my insurance covered bariatric surgery, I really didn't have any excuses left. So I started the process in October 2013 and had my surgery on March 20, 2014. I am down almost 32 pounds in a month (16.6 pounds since surgery). It is hard but so worth it. I have no doubt that as long as I stay the course I'll be chasing down the rugrats for many years to come.

Hi everyone. This is my first post here. But I thought this was a very appropriate place to start. My straw was getting on a plane for a business trip and having to ask the stewardess for an extension belt. As I sat there tugging at the belt trying to make it fit, I had to decide whether to ask for the extender or pretend that my seat belt fit. In the end I decided my safety was the most important thing. But that experience was mortifying. When you add that to the fact that at 35, I have been on blood pressure medicine for the last three years and have chronic back problems and arthritis in both knees, I knew I had to do something. I have 10 nieces and nephews that I adore and want to see grow up. And if this was me at 35, I couldn't imagine what 40 and 50 looked like. I decided to be selfish for the first time in my life and take care of me. I always take care of the people I care about, be it my family or friends. But in the process I neglect myself. Well guess what??? I realized if I didn't take care of me, I wouldn't be here to take care of the people I love. Once I found out my insurance covered bariatric surgery, I really didn't have any excuses left. So I started the process in October 2013 and had my surgery on March 20, 2014. I am down almost 32 pounds in a month (16.6 pounds since surgery). It is hard but so worth it. I have no doubt that as long as I stay the course I'll be chasing down the rugrats for many years to come.