Journeys

There are many journeys one goes through in life.  Mine, is one that many people struggle with...the journey of losing weight.

From the time I was small, weight was of great matter (no pun intended) in our house.  My father, being a doctor, did not want any of us to struggle with our weight; presumably, because he struggled with his.  As a result, we were not to be fed "junk food" such as McDonald's or potato chips.  We used saccharin from the day it was invented and Tab was a staple at our home.

When I hit pre-puberty, I put on some weight, which now I know is normal.  As a result, the diets began in earnest.  Words such as, "do you think you need that?" stung, even though they were well-intended.  My dad bought me a bicycle, and I found myself having to take 5 mile rides with him.  I wouldn't have minded so much except it was difficult for me to keep up with him on a 24" bike when he was riding a 26" bike...yes, the size of the wheels definitely make a difference!

And so began the years of weight loss programs...Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, near-impossible 1000 calorie a day diets, Atkins, Scarsdale, diet pills, bingeing and purging.  Although I started high school at 105 pounds, I felt fat.  I had curves while all the other girls were skinny.  No hips, no boobs.  Somehow, I managed to have both.  Twiggy was in...so were pelvic bones that one could see when wearing a bikini.  How I longed for that instead of the natural shape God intended for me.

As high school continued, I became intensely shy.  I felt fat.  I had curly hair (also not 'in-vogue').  My friends teased me.  At the end of junior year, I weighed 160 pounds, the culmination of sheer unhappiness in my home and school life.  It was that year that me and my best friend decided to diet.  I found diet pills and bingeing/purging worked to get my weight down to a reasonably healthy 120 lbs.  My dad, at that time, then became concerned since I had stopped eating breakfast.  He longed for me to have a bowl of cereal.  I would pour one then dump it when he went to work.  He never knew I was eating probably less than 500 calories per day.

In college, I discovered smoking (and not just cigarettes).  Welcome the freshman 20.  And so, even though I was taking diet pills, which by the way, caused palpitations, and bingeing/purging, it still wasn't enough.

Fast forward...I got married, had babies and was up to over 200 pounds.  Over 31 years, I had been as small as 120 pounds but after my last baby at age 35, I could not seem to lose the weight, no matter what diet I tried.

In the spring of 2017, I began exercising in earnest with a personal trainer.  My mentor kept telling me 80% was food, 20% was exercise.  But, I refused to listen.  I continued exercising until I had foot surgery in July.  I laid on the couch for a few weeks and gained 10 pounds.  I gave up.  I decided that I would eat my way up to gastric bypass surgery.  I was done with yo-yo dieting.

Funny thing is, when we are at our lowest, God usually sends someone to help us.  And that someone appeared right around that time.  It was October and someone 'friended' me on Facebook.  He was from my hometown and so I made the connection.  He had lost weight and looked amazing.  I looked at him and thought, 'Photoshop'.  I refused to ask him what he was doing as I was certain it was not legit.  Probably Garcinia Cambogia or some shit.  But, he was persistent.  Finally, one day I asked him what he was doing.  He told me.  He flooded my Messenger with before and after pics.  I was like, "What the hell??"  But I was interested.  I listened to what he had to say then researched the company.

Now, why is it when someone discusses nutrition, we have to research it but never, EVER look at what is in our food at the grocery store or what we eat in fast food places?  I got to thinking...the product he was using offered a 30-day-money-back guarantee.  When did I EVER get that with Weight Watchers or Jenny Craig?  I was also pretty certain I had spent far more than $400 (which was the price of the system I was looking at) in my lifetime on gimmicks.  What the hell?  If it didn't work, I could always get my money back.  But, what if it did?

Fast forward one month...I lost 10 pounds and 31.75 inches.  I was three pants sizes smaller.   I realized within 5 days that not only did this system work, that I wanted to share it with others.  And so, I have begun a new, yet unexpected journey.   My goal by my 58th birthday in February is to be a size 10.  In spite of a small 4 pound gain over the holidays, I have no doubt I will do it.  I am not exercising aside from the occasional racquetball game and I feel great.  I have not EVER felt this confident about my nutrition.

I share my story because I know I am not the only one who has struggled in their lifetime with their weight. I've been there.  I know that feeling of 'giving up'.  And yet, as I roll into 2018, I have a renewed love and respect for myself.  Jesus said we should love our neighbor as we love ourselves. (paraphrased).  You cannot love anyone until you love yourself first.  So, as I end my story, I know that it is just the beginning of a new journey.  I will continue to write and let you know how I am doing.  It is the journey of one...it is the journey of many.  Jesus said, (again,  I'm paraphrasing) to lift up your cross and follow Him    We all have our crosses to bear -- we all have a story   I want your story to have a happy ending.  If you are interested in restored health, private message me at Lisa Lehr Lucero on Facebook.  Let me coach you to better health.  You.can.do.this.  How do I know?  Because I am!  And if I can be successful...trust me -- anyone can!  It is not the end of your journey but just the beginning.