Not so long ago, I was in New Jersey for the holidays. There were cameras everywhere. When I saw the photos, I was sad. My weight was out of control and I looked like hell. It wasn’t just my body. My skin was dull and I looked exhausted. Those photos stick in my head as a moment when I grew fed up accepting the status quo when it came to my health.
I gained a ton of weight before I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. It took forever to find the right combination of meds to get me regulated. Then, I lost 15 lbs. fast.
After that, I couldn’t understand why I wasn’t losing weight easily. If my thyroid was regulated, what was the problem? Oh, yeah, bad habits.
It still took me a while to look inside and figure out that I was dissatisfied with being unhealthy. I needed to move more and eat differently. (Most importantly, I learned that I needed to eat in order to lose weight. Food is fuel and without it, I am cranky and have no energy to move.)
One of the things that triggered permanent change for me was my father’s stroke, almost a year ago. It put a spotlight on heart health for me. I knew that I had to make changes to improve my changes. If I can prevent it, I don’t want to go through what my father has been through.
I started eating better. More importantly, I was more conscious of my food choices. I began exercising regularly. I hit a huge roadblock when the gallstones caused all sorts of interference. But, now that the gallbladder is out, things are so much better.
Now, I am working on getting back into a regular schedule with exercise.
Making that choice is hard. Habits are difficult to break. Admitting that you aren’t perfect sucks. Opening yourself up to the idea that you could fail is scary.
But it’s worth it. I’m not satisfied yet, but I’m getting there.
Great post Danielle,
Thanks for sharing this makes me step back and look at what I need to do get back to better health habits!
Thank you! I’m working on a plan that I can put into practice!
I have hypothyroidism as well so I could really relate to this post. I too dropped weight after being regulated and had a similar epiphany, in that the weight stopped flying off. In December, my father just had open heart surgery and, more than ever I am motivated to nourish my body with food that heals it. I am so sorry to hear about your Father’s stroke. Many healing thoughts continue to come your way!
My thoughts are with you and your family. I hope your father is recovering well.
I have always had an unhealthy relationship with food, and an even unhealthier relationship with exercise. I am either thin or fat, there is never an in-between for me…last year I weighed more than I ever have in my life, including when I was pregnant. I can’t do it “the right way” on my own, I’ve tried so many times. So I took the step to start working with a doctor. I am learning to have a better relationship with food and I am getting healthier, but I still need to work on the whole “exercise is fun” thing!
Exercise is one of the first things that I take out of my schedule when I get busy. That’s my biggest challenge.
Awesome post, Danielle! I’m glad you’re taking steps to get healthier.
What kicked me in the butt was barely squeezing into a size 28 pair of slacks along with a scale reading 277 pounds and photos of me looking rather round in the face. Enough was enough. I couldn’t allow myself to go through that anymore. I’m still struggling 13 months after that revelation but I’ve learned to take it one day at a time. I’m around 235 pounds now and still losing. The support that can be found online is tremendous and has been a huge motivator. And failure? Not an option. =)
The internet keeps me accountable.
You got this girl.
To answer your question honestly…it was vanity. I wanted to look better. But along the way I’ve learned and changed so much.
Like you, it started with a picture. There are 2 specific ones where I just didn’t recognize myself! Once I got started, momentum took over and through reading and research, I bettered my habits. Now, I do it for my health!
~Ang
So glad that you are feeling better! I got a big kick in the pants when my Dr. said I would need blood pressure medicine. After that, it was a long journey to find a healthy balance but persistence paid off.
We are from the same mold when it comes to hypothyroid and a dad with heart issues. I’ve watched my dad make bad choices my whole life and I knew I’d follow in the footsteps of that entire side of the family if i didn’t change something. But it took the guy at the DMV to ask me if I wanted to change ‘anything’ (my weight was under by about 50 lbs) on my license for me to finally take action. Thyroid’s a bitch but we’re stronger!
Hi. We met at in Sept 2011 at Bloggy Boot Camp Denver.
Like you, I struggled for a long time with weight due to undiagnosed hypothyroidism. Once diagnosed, I also got slapped with a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. It’s been eight years now and I’ve had ups and downs with other health issues and a divorce. I’ve been steady at the same weight, not completely ideal, for a over a year now. What keeps me motivated is my nieces and nephews; possibly owning my own place after divorce (what I NEVER thought possible), and traveling to all sorts of fun places.
My epiphany came when I was in college, and I realized that I was so uncomfortable with the way I looked and felt in my body, that I was afraid to even go out and socialize. My entire life and feelings of self worth had become wrapped in how poorly I treated my body, and after a life time of bad habits, I finally gained the desire to treat myself better, and I am beyond grateful because I know so many people who still haven’t had their moment, and haven’t had a chance to feel that success and happiness. Also, it’s really weird to me that we have had all of the same health issues. I wonder if thyroids and gallbladders have any connection?
LOVE THIS DANIELLE!! You got this!!
Mine was a similar moment, after seeing a picture of me with my girlfriends I realized how much weight I had actually gained. It was shocking and frustrating. It took making changes, but it happened! 60lbs down and it never came back!
You can do it!
You are awesome Danielle. Such a great post!Sometimes hard moments just make that click to change really happen or at least… open our eyes to awareness. Glad you Dad is doing good too. Moni xx
I had the opposite problem but with similar affects on my health. I suffered from hyperthyroidism for years and my hair was dull and there were circles under my eyes. I cut out gluten, upped my water and veggies and I am happy and healthy today!
You are an inspiration, Danielle!
When I was younger I used to hate the mirror because I thought I was ugly. Now I see pictures from those days and realize how much of a cutie-pie I was. I wasted too much energy and sadness then, so I won’t do it now. When I’m 75 I want to see pics of my 50 year old self and say, “I was so adorable. I’m glad I knew it then.” My point? Look for the happiness now.
Great post, Danielle. You certainly motivate me! We all have bad habits in some sort of way, but it takes a brave person to see their unhappiness and make the necessary change.
Working from home (a little too close to the kitchen) and suffering from insomnia took me down an unhealthy path for about two years. It’s not easy to turn it around. Good for you!
Danielle, I love this post. You are an inspiration to so many people. I love watching the healthy choices you make! I cheer you on every time!
What inspired ME? It was my parent too. My mom struggles with obesity. Once she got to a certain point, it was even more miserable for her and more difficult to lose the weight. I wanted to be proactive and prevent it before it got to that point. Today she pokes fun of me. “Annie, you are too skinny, are you eating at all?” I hate it. But I stay healthy and active for me and my kids.
Food and I have a love hate relationship. Learning to understand that has always been a struggle for me!!! UGH!
My kids are my motivation for everything I do. I want the girls to look up to me as role model, but I also want to keep up with them. Their energy is inspiring and contagious.
My husband is my motivation! He got into portion control and walking and dropped 20 pounds! I lost about 10, but it’s slowly crept back on over the winter so I’m starting 2013 trying to slowly make changes that will last.
Best of luck. It’s nice seeing someone push themself.
I’m not sure what’s going on, but I think I’ve turned some sort of corner this year. It was a specific resolution or anything, but I know I feel different, and I’ve been easily making better choices for myself. I think part of may have to do with making it through what was easily the most stressful, difficult holiday season of my life. It’s almost as if the holidays had been a mental block for months, and now that they’re over, I feel free.
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