Fresh Start!

It's been awhile since I blogged or shared my weight loss journey with the world. Part of me didn't want to cause I felt like I was setting myself up for disappointment. But, SO MUCH has happened this year that has brought me to this point. I am viewing this new blogging/ journey as a way for ME to keep a journal along the way. Because this time feels like THE time. Ya know?

I will give a brief recap of my struggles that have brought me to this point and then I will follow up with my plan of action.

A year and a half ago I was diagnosed with a Pituitary Adenoma (which is fine and tiny) as well as showing signs of Pseudo Tumor Cerebri also known as Intercranial Hypertension. Basically what that means is that my body does not absorb the excess spinal fluid that the normal person does and so it increases the pressure inside my head around my brain. This causes headaches and can lead to vision problems. I get to see a team of doctors who check on me regularly and I have field vision exams every six months to make sure that I am not losing peripheral vision due to my swollen optic nerves. The optic nerves are swollen due to the pressure in my head. There is no known treatment or cause for PTC but, they do suggest if you are overweight or in my case Morbidly Obese (based on my BMI) that you get into a healthy BMI range and see if that helps things. Traditionally, they try a water pill called Diamox that is supposed to flush out the excess fluid in your system. I did not take well to it as it caused more headaches and made me lethargic. I worked out a deal with my Neurologist to let me try to lose the weight naturally in exchange for getting off the medicine. That was at the end of February (27) and it is now April(11) and I have nothing to show for it but, two weeks of tracking food and working out.

I started back to the gym two weeks ago and made it there 4 times each week and have been tracking my food in myfitnesspal. I saw my primary doctor this week and she was trying to push me into the direction of weight loss surgery. My neuro was also mentioning it since I would likely qualify for my insurance to cover it. I discussed it with a few close friends and my husband and decided that would be a last ditch effort. I really don't want it and would rather to do it naturally. Besides, I need to change my eating not just tighten a band around my stomach that makes me not eat over a 1/2 C of food. This whole discussion of surgery and lapbands and lap sleeves got me really thinking. It worked its way into my brain that this was SERIOUS. I couldn't avoid it anymore I can't pretend that those things happen to other people. Other people, larger than me get surgeries. I think in my mind I am not THAT big, I am not THAT fat. It's fine! so I have a belly.. But, I think having not just one but TWO doctors tell you surgery might be an option for you. That woke me up! and I am not going out like that. I have a distorted ego and my ego does not want to be a failure. I have overcome SO much in my life, I have literally been to hell and back a few times and THIS, this is gonna be what stumps me? What gets me and breaks me and ruins me? Oh hell no! I am not going out like that.

My doctor mentioned accupuncture could be used for appetite control since I am limited on what supplements I can take with my brain pressure. I got a hold of my chiropractor and found out that he does it! Today was Day 0. I had my first accupuncture and he has me set up on a low cal - 1200 and almost no carb diet for the next two weeks in conjunction with accupuncture 3 times a week for two weeks. I am at the end, I have the gift of desperation and I know that I have to do something! I trust my chiropractor and have been seeing him since pre-Ethan. I am gonna give this go. He did restrict me from exercise for the first two weeks since my body will be adjusting and I will likely be very tired. I am bummed cause I just got into my routine but, I get it and I am willing to do WHATEVER he says! I can do anything for two weeks! and I get a cheat day so, that makes it possible.

That's the gist of it. The plan is set into motion. I did eat pancake breakfast at Avery's school so that kinda shot today if i was doing the 1200 cals I would have 149 left for the day. Saturday will be my first day though I am trying to still eat good the rest of the day. I have a headache now and he said that would happen from low carb intake. Wish me luck and I will be keeping a regular diary of my days during this two weeks. If nothing else at least for a distraction or a place to vent. There may be some profanity , be warned! haha

Let's do this!