My journey by Linda Gardner
Actually my journey started back on January 1st 2009.that’s when I started a club at work, to get a group together to lose weight. We called it the biggest winners. For 10 weeks we were to weigh in weekly and put 25 cents each time. We were to give support to each other, and in the end the biggest loser would get the pot. Well, none of us lost any weight and we now have $100. And no winner.
It was a good concept, but again another failure on my part. Months went by and my knees were getting painful. I went to see a sports Dr. and he suggested, losing weight, physio and low impact exercise. All this would improve the pain and prevent me from surgery and later in life; I would not end up in a wheelchair. I think the thought of a wheelchair was the push I needed.
I started physio and exercising and even was a human pin cushion in the form of acupuncture and I joined the 100 day challenge, I love a good challenge. I’m very very good at committing to a challenge. The problem is that once the challenge is over I go fall back into old habits, and the next thing I know I’m right back to where I started. Sound familiar.
I knew I needed more help that just signing up. With the help of Sue and Jeff’s daily email, which I found amusing and supportive, we had the benefit of the on line web site The Fitness Journal. I loved tracking my progress and I felt a sense of accountability in a way, even though no one was really watching. Weird eh! Well I needed something to work for me.
Another great help was Laura, the life coach, we had the opportunity to have sessions with and
the great group of women that came together to share their stories. I learned tips to follow, books to read. The books were very beneficial, just listening to Louise Hay brought me strength to endure some of the hardships I have recently had with my parents, who are in a nursing home in Toronto.
I have gained tools to help me accomplish my goals. I did daily journaling and now when I read some of the past entries it makes me chuckle. I had many ups and downs, from learning that food is not a pain reliever and cheating is like having a party in your mouth for a short period and then you have to face the headache or disappointment following.
I learned that forgiving is very important, to forgive myself and others. And to like myself, I approve of myself every day. I look forward to the future. Now I did not reach the goal I had originally set, which was to lose 30lbs But I did manage to lower my cholesterol to near normal levels, I reduced my stress level and I lost 20 lbs. not bad Eh!
I have gained to skills necessary to carry on with goal setting and will continue to manage my weight and life and look forward to retirement in the next couple of years.
So to everyone that participated I hope you gained as much as I did and wish you all the very best in the coming year.
NO MORE YO-YOING
CHEERS TO A HEALTH LIFESTYLE
Linda Gardner
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