sad trip to the ER

[mjlanham2]

I realize that I have a problem. I weigh 220, my healthy weight is 150. I was successful on Atkins 3 years ago and then quit. I hate the way I feel, I hate the way I look. I know it is in my hands, but it is hard. I am a teacher, mom, wife and everything else it seems! Excuses I know. Last night I was sitting the ER with my husband, he was sick and just had brain surgery which is a whole other story, and this lady walked in who was obese and she went straight to the vending machine and bought a package of cookies. She was so overweight she shuffled, she didn't take steps. Another lady came in with 5 children who went straight to the vending machines and when she sat down, he stomach was on her knees. She could hardly fit in the chair. I don't want people to look and at me like that, nor do I want to feel that way. They must be so unhappy. I really don't think God intended our bodies to get that big (or this big in my case). Maybe this was the motivation I needed. All I could do was to pray for those women and hope for the best for us all.

[OzLover]

Re: sad trip to the ER

I hope your husband is doing well. Did he literally have the surgery the night you were in the ER? I understand your feelings when seeing other overweight people~~a motivation or a wake up call. Good luck on your journey to a healthy weight.

[Sherri]

Re: sad trip to the ER

I was sitting in my doctors office when I finally had my wake-up call. At 374 pounds and my doctor telling me that I was looking for an early checkout time. Just like a slap in the face. I realized that I couldn't allow that to happen. Especially since I have a daughter to raise and who means the world to me.
I was once that large like the women you describe. You're right, we're not happy, we're tired of being sick and tired.
I did many diets and I believe that diets contribute to obesity.
Atkins, on the other hand, truly is a lifestyle. I beleive that is why I have been so successful with it and still am. Not viewing it as a diet or something short term. It really is a lifestyle for life.
Dust your DANDR 2002 off. Refresh yourself with this woe. Organize your kitchen and pantry and stock up on legal foods. This is your time to shine!
Welcome back to Atkins!

[mjlanham2]

Re: sad trip to the ER

No, my husband had the surgery on Oct. 7 and now there is a tube that runs under his skin from his head to his stomach to drain the fluid that was making his brain swell, so anytime his stomach hurts around the tube we need to get to a doctor fast. He is doing well, thanks for asking. I agree with the wake up call, sad but I think it worked.

[julirama723]

Re: sad trip to the ER

Mj, you will be amazed at how much life you'll regain following Atkins. I'm a teacher, too, and I was always exhausted by the end of the day. At one point I was sneaking WHOLE candy bars between classes (I once ate 4 sinickers bars in one day, plus breakfast, lunch, snack, dinner, dessert, aye-yi-yi!), I was so stressed and tired and frustrated. My kids thought I was old too. I was only 24!

I started Atkins and oh my gosh, the energy was amazing. I was jumping all over the classroom. Instead of being 3 steps behind the students, I was 10 steps ahead. What was even cooler is that I became an inspiration and a role model to my students. They saw that I got healthier, and they wanted to get healthier, too!

It might feel a little awkward at first, ignoring the treats in the staff lounge or breakroom, but soon it will become second nature. Bring your lunch, and always bring more food than you think you need! It's always better to have too much than not enough. NEVER let yourself go hungry. As a teacher, I have virtually no lunch break, so I always relied on "finger" foods.

Some of my favorite lunch foods:
grilled chicken tenders (grill them for dinner and make a LOT so you have lunch ready!)
hardboiled eggs
egg salad
chicken salad (or tuna salad)
cheesesticks
bell pepper slices
green beans from the can (I love to eat these cold!)
celery/broccoli/cauliflower and ranch dressing
roll-ups (deli meat, cream cheese, celery)

Check out Linda's site for great recipe ideas. Oh, and be creative! Nobody said you have to eat breakfast foods for breakfast and dinner foods for dinner. Eat whatever induction-friendly foods you want, eat what sounds good.

Linda's Low Carb Menus & Recipes - Home

[lilfloppysocks]

Re: sad trip to the ER

Welcome back to Atkins.

[Sarina D]

Re: sad trip to the ER

Welcome back!

I'm sorry to hear what your husband has been through. I hope his recovery is coming along well.

I know what it's like one day to have the layers on our eyes pealed off and realize what kind of shape we're truly in and how we really look....I hated the way I felt, I despised and was disgusted by the way I looked and I was truly ashamed and saddened by the way others saw me and looked at me and joked. I felt humiliated and defeated....nothing worked for me.

I was the woman not able to fit into most chairs and with my stomach covering my legs. The "light bulb" moment for me was this year and I am very grateful I committed myself to eating the Atkins way. It is the only way I have ever been able to lose this kind of weight and keep it off and continue to lose weight and feel incredibly healthy. It's a way of life, not a diet....and I'm enjoying everyday of it.

I have a new life now and I feel incredibly blessed to be alive, have the quality time I have with my family and friends now and be able to enjoy life.

You can do this, I know you can. We're all here to support you...just make the commitment to yourself...you're totally worth it!

Sarina
-----------------
Heaviest weight last year- 400 lbs. (2007)
April 1, 2008 - 387 lbs.
Atkins start weight – 347 (July 19, 2008 )
(100 lbs. lost as of Oct 2, 2008 - Hit 300 lbs. on this day )
Current weight – 262 lbs.
Goal weight - 150 – 160

[ontheway2Stephanie]

Re: sad trip to the ER

Welcome Back!

None of us want to be the lady with the stomach on her knees. It's definitely been a wake up call for me as I could see myself heading that direction (thank you c-section and pregnancy!). I'm here. I'm only a week in but feeling positive and good. You just have to make a decision and do everything you can do put yourself on the path to success. Seek out your cheerleaders, stock your pantry correctly, have snacks ready at home and on the go, read books and get into the mindset that you have the ability to conquer anything and you can.

[Outback Jess]

Re: sad trip to the ER

So many of us relate so well to your words, because your words are OUR words...Wake up calls are wonderful, to get one and heed it will be life changing. We've all come here and others have reached out with understanding, and we hope and pray that understanding will empower you to take the steps you MUST take for you!

[Lisa]

Re: sad trip to the ER

Prayers for healing for your husband!

Gosh, I have memories of the swishing while I walked and having rashes on my thighs to go with it to remind me how painful just walking was. There's many times I want to run and hug that person at the vending machine and share with them how much I appericate what they are going through and how making changes and different choices can help. Eating to fill the emotions is a hard thing to change (and we are vulnerable to it no matter what....speaking from current experience), but so worth the time and effort to change.