I'm working very diligently on being an actual health nut.  I've had to go to drastic measures to do so as my body would not respond to what I was trying to do.  Literally.  Seven out of twelve months being faithful, consistent and working my a** off and nothing.  Zero response from my body.  Even took a migraine medicine for the crazy bad migraines I go through and a side effect is weight lose.  Nothing.  Literally.  So I took matters into my own hands, actually my surgeons hands, I had bariatric surgery, gastric sleeve to be exact.  

I'll save ya the boring details.  They really aren't worth it.  Here's what matters:

• If one person tells me I took the easy way out...I will throat punch them (even if it isn't throat punch Thursday).  This has in no way been easy.
• Bariatric surgery does not guarantee that you will be healthier, thinner and happy.  
• I have to eat just as healthy and exercise just as much as I did before if I want to lose the extra weight and become an official health nut.
• Again, not an easy out.  Can't stress that enough.  

I made the decision to take matters into my own hands in February after hours and days and weeks of research.  I settled on a surgeon in Tijuana, before you even say or think a single thought about going to Mexico hold it - I'll explain in a minute, and booked my surgery.  We don't have insurance.  Mexico was my only option.  For the price of a couple of meals out a month, I was able to come up with enough money to make a payment on my health for the next few years.  I saved almost $15,000 by going to Mexico and that included a flight for Jason and I.  Top notch surgeon, nurses and care.  Could not have asked for better care actually.  March 28, 2015 is a day that will live in my memory forever.  My life changed in ways I never imagined.

God has had his hand on me the entire journey.  Without it, I wouldn't be here to write a blog.  The surgeon I chose also did a fellowship in cardiology (he trained in the U.S. for cardiology and bariatrics).  Not only was he able to take out about 80% of my overstretched stomach but he was able to recognize that I have a heart problem.  One I have never known about.  No one has actually.  My surgery took longer than usual because my heart could not maintain a steady rhythm and my heart rate ran so low, low 20's.  Apparently my resting heart rate ranges from 42'ish to 52'ish.  Extremely conditioned athletes can have a heart rate in the 50's and be safe.  Ummmm....I think we all know I'm not a well conditioned athlete.  I left Mexico with strict orders to follow up with my primary care doctor and a cardiologist.  Three more weeks and I will finally get to see the primary.  And then wait for a referral.  Ugh.  For the most part, it doesn't really cause a problem.  Well...except the other day when I worked out a little too hard right after being released to work out again (first one back actually) ...thank God the piano was there to catch me before I hit the ground!  My man wasn't impressed.  My heart likes super highs and super lows.  I'm not impressed.

So why go through all of this?  Because I couldn't do it on my own.  After two decades of being obese I decided I had to do something if I wanted to see my kids grow up.  So I did.  I was fortunate, I have had so much support.  More than I ever dreamed.  There have been emotional, mental and physical highs and lows.  Gas pains from laparoscopic surgery like I've never had before (had two other surgeries and nothing like this).  A HUGE learning curve - pork (most varieties) hates me now, chewable vitamins not so bad, chewable iron HELL NO! unless you enjoy the taste of blood, "being regular" is a gift (really, you should treasure it.  really).  Funny thing is, I would do it all over again in a heart beat.  Literally.  Sure my clothes fit better and a lot of them just don't fit, too big, freakin' finally!  I am healthier, I can feel it, an important benefit that sits at the top of my list.  But even more than these things, I can finally, finally say I don't loathe myself when I look in a mirror.  Not just loathing the physical appearance but the mental aspect.  Having to have those "talks" with myself in the mirror about feeling like a failure, demanding I do better, work harder, be stronger and blah blah blah.  I don't have to do that anymore.  That in itself makes me healthier.  If I start that down the loathing road (see above - mental and emotional highs and lows), my supports come in like gangbusters and talk me off the ledge.  Literally.  

I'm on a journey to be an actual health nut.  It's working.  I like it.  It feels good.  Finally.

Judy