I have been overweight all my life. As I got older, I got bigger. No matter how hard I tried, I kept gaining. I tried every diet known to man, including the predigested protein diet. I did Weight Watchers, Atkins, low-cal, and low-fat diets. I would lose and then gain. It was a vicious cycle. I decided it was time for me to break the cycle. I was tired of being overweight and depressed.

I had LapBand Surgery on April 30, 2010 and have lost 84 pounds to date. I weighed in at 332 pounds and am down to an amazing 248, which I have not seen in many, many years. Although I have not reached my goal, I feel very successful and have counted my successes in many ways. I have the ability to walk more than 10 feet without feeling like I was going to die; the ability to sit in a booth at a restaurant; the ability to play with my children, who are 3 and 8; the ability to work out, the ability to ride on Mt. Everest and Soarin at Disney. These are many successes I am experiencing on the way to my actual weight goal, which is 162. Other goals I am looking to achieve are learning to swim this summer and run the half-marathon at Disney in 2012.

I had to have six months of nutrition classes before my surgery along with cardiology, psych, pulmonary and GI evaluations.  At the beginning, I thought I was never going to make it, that the six months would never pass. Just the opposite happened, they went very quickly. I learned a lot about myself and my eating habits. I found out that I was an emotional stress eater and swallowed everything with a piece of chocolate. By the end of the six months, I was both physically and mentally ready for my new journey in life. At this point I have found myself to be very energetic, less stressed, more interested in life and living it. I cannot wait to see what is around the corner and what tomorrow will bring. We went to Disney for my daughter’s birthday and I was able to go on rides and really enjoy myself. In the past, I was always afraid that I would not fit or that maybe the ride would not run. I was too embarrassed to even get on. Now, the new ME enjoyed Disney to its fullest.
Now my new lifestyle includes eating healthy foods, making wise choices, exercising regularly and taking care of myself. I hired a personal trainer, Arlene, through hometraininggroup.com and I am very excited by this. I have all the equipment in my home including a bike, treadmill, elliptical machine and weight system but I am not sure that I am using it to either my or its potential.  These days I own my life and nothing can change that. There are no excuses; there is no reason for them. I have lost the guilt of over-eating and dieting and over-eating and dieting. I have broken the vicious cycle and never want to return to that life again.

One of my biggest supporters is my husband. He has helped me in any way he can and cheers me on. He has built a gym in our home so I do not have to worry about traveling to one. He makes sure that if we go out; we go to a “ME friendly” place. A very close second are my children. Even at their ages, they always make sure I can eat what I am eating. My 3 year old always asks if my booboo is getting better. She rubs my scar so it feels better. I have a great support system with friends and family.  This has been one of the most positive experiences in my life. I thank these people for all their help. I like to talk to anyone that wants to listen and needs help. It is very important to give back when you have been so lucky.

I want everyone to know that they should take pride in even the smallest successes that they have accomplished.  Like being able to bend over and tie your shoes. I know I find something new every day to take joy in and try for something more tomorrow. I now have such a positive attitude.

Something I will never forget is a line from the movie “Flashdance”...“When you lose your dreams, you die.” Even if you do not die physically, you do die mentally. My goals are my dreams and I will make them come true. I will never lose sight of them; and they are coming true! I will keep making new ones every time I achieve one.

Sincerely
Margaret White