Getting Healthy - Part 2

Continued from Getting Healthy - Part 1....

..... So, last year, hubby and I really started searching for options. We knew that to make a lifestyle change as big as I needed - I would need the best tools to help me succeed. In October 2016, I attended a health seminar and started meeting with a dietitian monthly.

Over the next few months, I continued meeting with my dietitian, but with Thanksgiving and Christmas we didn't do awholelotta changing. I did manage to lose 10 lb. through - the monthly visits with the dietitian helped to keep me accountable. We decided to start 2017 out fresh with a lifestyle change, not just for me but for our whole family!

Well, that was the plan.... life had other ideas. 

You see, I have multiple autoimmune disorders. The last couple months I had been seeing a different specialist for other ongoing health problems. That Doctor set a surgery date for March. The surgery, although it was out patient, set me back quite a bit.

During this time, I had lots of testing done regarding other health issues and another doctor set yet another surgery date for May. My plan was altered. I was still seeing my dietitian and during that time lost another 10 lbs. But was kinda in limbo waiting for the next surgery, which would be a big one.

The day before my scheduled surgery - it was cancelled - partly because of a paper work mix up and partly because of another auto immune disease that they found in my pre-opt testing blood work. They wanted me to see yet another specialist and more testing before they would go through with my scheduled surgery.....  this actually turned into a blessing, because 3 days later, my son was emitted to the hospital for emergency brain surgery.... He was in the hospital for 5 weeks.... and home with transfusions for another 3 weeks.

During that time, I saw a new specialist and another doctor who (although I do have yet another auto immune disease), she signed off on me going ahead with my original surgery....

My surgery was on August 2nd. I was in the hospital for 4 days - ended up having complications and a second emergency surgery 12 hours after the first one, on a liquid diet and didn't have strength to exercise, so I just mainly walked.

 The surgery was hard, both mentally and physically, and it did set my lifestyle change back by about 8 extra months, but it was actually a blessing. As a result, I lost another 20#'s and also started eating healthier! 

The best part about having the last major surgery was that it was a success and many of my health problems are no longer a problem!

So, in August, I really hit my lifestyle change hard! 

The main changes have been: 

• Portion control - instead of eating 5 cookies, I eat and enjoy one and no more. 
• Eating high protein foods first. I supplement with Shaklee protein when I need extra.
• Eating low-carb. I still eat carbs - I just try to be aware of how many I eat.
• Taking high quality whole food supplements - believe me, I've done the research, there is nothing better out there with the science to back it up! I've taken Shaklee supplements off and on for over 7 years. But I now am consistent with taking my food supplements and have noticed a big difference.
•  I do regular activities with my hubby and kids - like riding bike, playing 4 square, and walks. 
• And I continue seeing my dietitian...not as much as I did previously, but it helps keep me accountable, and she helps me find ways to change my negative eating habits into healthy ones.

Since I started seeing my dietitian and consistently taking my Shaklee, eating a high protein diet and exercising, I have lost a total of 54 lbs since October 2016. I started at 240 lb. and a size 22/24, and a BMI of 45.9. I am now 186 lbs. and wear a size 16/18.

I've still got a long way to go - but with Gods help, this is a lifestyle journey that I want to continue... not just for me but for my family as well. 
My goal is not to be skinny or to be a certain size. My goal is to be healthy, happy!

To be continued......

Read Getting Healthy - Part 1 here

Note: We have chosen NOT to discuss or to explain my surgeries with anyone, as in the past, discussing my health has caused unnecessary drama. I, Rhoda do suffer from multiple auto-immune disorders, cancer, and chronic stress. The doctor said without this surgery, I would only have a 3% chance at going on to live a healthier life style, so for me and my family's sake, this has been the right thing to do. We will not apologize for not explaining!