Saturday, June 13, 2015

June 13th, 2015 It Wasn't Possible

June 13th, 2015 It Wasn't Possible

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At over 500 pounds--these chairs, oh my goodness. Sitting wasn't an option with the narrow fixed arms. It wasn't possible. Years ago, I remember walking into a doctors office waiting room and finding it full of these chairs. I also remember standing the whole time I waited. These chairs are designed in such a way, even if you're forty to sixty pounds overweight, it might be a squeeze. Almost 300 pounds overweight? Not happening.
 photo Chair and me_zpsnpuodxh9.jpg
I would have never imagined ever fitting into one of these chairs. I couldn't resist the opportunity today. And with legs crossed! I had room. That was cool.

I'm having my picture taken a little more often these days in hopes of my brain dialing into reality, instead of being convinced I'm bigger.

After a super long day, I'm letting the Tweets handle it the rest of the way.

My Tweets Today:






















Thank you for reading and your continued support,
Strength,
Sean

11 comments:

  1. Well look at you all sittin there skinny

    Can't wait till I can do that

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    1. My brain doesn't register this, I assure you! Isn't it strange?
      TR--You're headed here, my friend.

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  2. That's so cool Sean! Those times is when you become more aware of the change. I haven't lost as much as you and I'm far from when I am heading for, but the other day I had to ride in my friends car ( a car I always avoid because it has "small seats" according to me), I was shocked at how the seat had "grown" and I wasn't uncomfortable or feeing like I was taking up all the room in the front. It's the little things that keep me going! Enjoy the rest of your weeken!

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    1. Oh Alati--yes, indeed--those moments are absolutely the best, aren't they? Loved "the seat had grown." Smiling from ear to ear, here. Things like this absolutely keep us going with positive vibes and momentum! I hope you're having an awesome week so far!!

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  3. Hmmm, posted and I don't see it. I wanted to say congratulations. I've been there and felt your pain - both from standing or the chair arms cutting into your thighs! I remember being referred by a bariatric surgeon to an internist for a physical (I was 496#). Walked in the waiting room and didn't fit into any chairs. Asked for a chair without arms, they didn't have one. The internist was called out to ICU so it was a long wait. Then the MA insisted I stand on one of the old fashioned scales that goes to 350#. Told her I was over that. "Oh no, this weighs really high" OK and I weigh really, really high. So, awkardly stepped up, no handles to grip, trying to balance so I didn't tip the scale (and me) on the little gal. On to the room where the gown didn't fit, the BP cuff didn't fit and when she told me to get on the table, it started to tip as I stepped on the pull out step. Luckily I was tall enough to hike my butt up without it. Thank goodness the thermometer fit! :-) The doctor walks in, never met him in my life. Picked up my chart and started to read. "You don't have diabetes? (no) High blood pressure? (no) Hyperlipidemia? (no) You have never been hospitalized? (only for my birth). He just looked at me, I don't think he believed me. THAT is why I am here doctor. I know my days are numbered and I need to do something now. I did have surgery and lost 211# but gained back all but 60#. I lost the physical weight but addressing the mental part and the WHY of why I was eating/using food the way I did was never addressed.

    Fast forward 10 years and I could see that 500# looming and joined Lifestyes 180 offered through my employer. A program that addresses food choice and prep (whole foods), mindful living class (addressing why we do what we do), nutrition, exercise and yoga. It's an intense program and not a diet but a lifestyle change. I can live with this. I get frustrated at times that it's not the "quick" weight loss diet with results like I have had in the past, but I think for the first time in my life, results will last. 91# down in 17 months and a lot of lessons learned and tears shed. :-) Oh, and I also had a chat with the bariatric surgeon and told him of my experience. Being a tall thin man he had no clue. His nurse practitioner had me do a "walk thru" their office, the internist office and the hospital asking for my input as a super obese person (I'm also a nurse so am very familiar with the setting). Love your posts and insights. Keep it up!

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    1. What an interesting story! Can someone from New Jersey join Lifestyles 180? Kitty

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    2. It's an onsite program offered by my employer. Check out the Cleveland Clinic site - we originally started with their program but went on to develop our own. It's 24 sessions over 1 year, 3.5 hours per session so after a day of work, a long day. The first 4 weeks there are 2 classes a week (total of 7 hours) which gradually space out. We start with exercise, prep the food for our meal starting with basics like knife skills. 3 islands with cutting boards and led by a dietician or our hospital chef. While the food cooks, we attend nutrition class (taught by a dietician), eat our meal family style (12 people per class), attend a mindful living class (led by a behavioral therapist) and then end with yoga. Labs are drawn at the start, 6 weeks, 26 and 52 weeks and the medical director meets with us to discuss our labs and biometrics (wt and measurements). We have to meet with a behavioral therapist a minimum of 4x, dietician and exercise coach 2x during the year. The value is $3800. People outside of Thedacare can join, but have to pay the cost, Thedacare covers it for their employees. If we drop out before the end of the year, we will be charged $500 and we are charged $25 for each class missed. There is an extension program where you still can meet with the staff, attend support group twice a month, a food addiction class, there are book clubs, movie nights and other events. In 2 weeks the dietician is leading a session on foods for BBQ. I can't say enough good about it. It's worth every dollar! I finished my first year and by my 18 month anniversary next month hope to have 100# off. I was asked to mentor 2 groups, one that started in January and another last week. So, I had Lifestyles 3 nights a week last week and this week. It will be crazy for the next couple of weeks, but after the first month will settle down. I was questioning my "sanity" and at the second session when the therapist asked for thoughts on the first night one guy said he was having second thoughts until I spoke and then said, "If she can do this, lose the weight she has and come back to mentor us, I can too." It's so rewarding and helps me to stay focused on my journey. I've been meeting every 2 weeks with the therapist the past couple of months as I feel I'm a compulsive overeater and have some behaviors/issues to address there. So, long and short of it, there is no online program. It's very hands on. Check out Lifestyle 180 through Cleveland Clinic out of Ohio as other health organizations use their program. Good luck!

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    3. Wow. Thank you for sharing your incredible story!!
      This right here--so important. It's another example of how you cam lose weight in many different ways--but we all must deal with the mental/emotional side of things: "I did have surgery and lost 211# but gained back all but 60#. I lost the physical weight but addressing the mental part and the WHY of why I was eating/using food the way I did was never addressed."
      The program through your employer sounds AMAZING.
      91 pounds down!! yes!! Very happy for you!
      The rewarding experience in your mentoring group is the best, isn't it? Wow.
      Thank you for sharing so much. And I hope you'll stop by every now and again and let us know how you're doing!!

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    4. Thanks for sharing your incredible story. I wish you all the success with this program. sounds wonderful!

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  4. Thank you for this nice detailed response! I will check it out. You did really well and I know it wasn't easy.

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    1. Kitty, wasn't that awesome? I love reading stories like hers. It inspires me very much!

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