Never, never, never give up!!!

For any of you who sometimes feel that learning to eat right and exercise just isn't worth it, I want to share my story with you.

Today I had my 6-month follow up with my Doctor of Internal Medicine. I was sent to him in Oct 08 after six months of living in misery. My hair was falling out, my periods had stopped. Extreme pain in my knees, hips and ankles made it hard to walk. My husband had to help me dress in the morning as I had so much joint pain I could barely bend my wrists, elbows and shoulders.I had to sleep in a chair as lying in bed was too painful. I was miserable, lonely and felt worthless.  The Doc said he would schedule some tests, told me to quit smoking and said he would follow up with me in three months.

I went home and sat in that chair for days and cried. I had spent 6 months like this and now I had to face another 3, filled with other Doctors and specialists who all would see if they could figure out what was wrong with me. How could I live like this...what was the point?

Then, one day, I stopped crying and decided I wasn't going to wait for some doctor to solve my problems. I talked to my physiotherapist and we decided to try and get the pain under control so I could get some exercise. On October 21st I dedicitated my life to living. I learned I was 70 pounds overweight, so I found CC and changed my eating habits, drank lots of water...walking started with 10 minutes a day. And it was agony!

After two weeks - nothing...still pain filled and miserable...but I kept at it. I never gave up. I continued through the weeks...biting back the pain and getting more mobile and a little stronger every day.

It is now 5.5 months later and my Doc still has no idea what is wrong with me. He admits there was something as my bloodwork showed signs of an infection and inflammation...but it is gone now. I haven't had a cigarette in 3 months. I have lost nearly 40 pounds. I can walk for over an hour at 4 mph. I ride my elliptical for 45 min a day.  I still have some joint pain, but it is mostly on days when I don't get in a work out. I still get headaches but not as often. I have 9 good days for every bad day. My life is livable...and I feel amazing, about myself, about my life and about this new lifestlye. I am so thankful that I found the strength within myself to meet this challenge. If I hadn't, I might still be sitting in that chair crying and wondering who would help me.

So, please.....remember that you are doing this for YOU... and you are worth it

Never, never, NEVER give up!

Very motivational.  I hadn't realized how far you have come until I read your story.  You have really turned your life around and I am so proud of you.  Thank you for the words of encouragement. 

Hearing (reading) your story has helped me realize that I am the only one who can make these changes in my life and that small changes can work their way into large changes.

Thank you for all the encouragement you have given me and everyone on CC.

Love your story, many could learn from this, you should post this in a newspaper as I am sure there are many people still sitting in their chairs at home who will never find the courage or strength to do what you have done. It is an inspiration to us all and all of us at CC thank you for your postive thoughts daily.

You're so awesome for posting. I never realized how lucky I am to have a healthy body and not have to worry about joint pain. Your post made me realize how much I take for granted and how I should try harder to take care of what I got, and not only that: if there's a will, there's a way!

And I'm certainly more motivated to find that way now. :)

Thanks.

And I'm wishing you the best as you continue your journey to health!! You're amazing!

What a wonderful motivator you are! Yours is a moving and terrific story, and I'm glad you posted it here.

I, too, have been to the docs for joint pain, and they really don't have much that is helpful. I'm not losing at the rate you are, nor exercising that much either, but from your story I can see I could push a little harder, and see better results.

Thank you for sharing your story.

Way to go! thanks for the motivation. I have many health issues, but they are getting better now. I have lost 18 lbs so far, and thought I have a longggg way to go I am starting to feel better.

Congrats on your weight loss!!

You are truly working towards 1HEAVENLYBODY.  Hence, my id.

God bless and take care and keep it up!!!!!!

Hello,

I really want to thank you for taking the time to share your story. You did not stay in your chair and cry, you did something about it and are still doing something-living. Congratulations and thank you! I really needed to read and inspirational message such as yours.

You are absolutely right, never give up

Way to go.  That is awesome.  Your story gave me the little push that I need to keep going.  Congrats to you!

Great post, great story; thank you for sharing it and congratulations to you!  One of your main points and reason for your success is that you realized that you and only you can make a change in your life.  Your story could be the story of thousands of others, I am sure.  I know a few people personally whose lives are how you described yours, pre-weight loss.  The more it hurts to move, the less [you] want to do it, and that just compounds the weight problem, adding to it depression, etc.

I think too many people expect some sort of miracle cure/answer for weight loss and don't want take control of their own fate.  They expect someone else or something else to do it for them.  Weight loss and a healthy lifestyle require a lot of dedication and commitment which is why so many stumble, but you persevered and found the strength within yourself to stay on course.  If only others could find the strength within themselves to help themselves it would be wonderful.

Thanks again for the encouraging post, and I wish you the very best of luck on your losing the rest of the weight and enjoying your new life!

thank you for sharing your story-it was great to read!! although I don't deal with health issues as extreme as yours ( i do sincerely hope you find some pain relief soon!!!), I know all about the joint pain-it's been a struggle since I started getting back to the gym with the consistant knee pain I experience. But reading how you pushed through it and lost 40 pounds ( congratulations!!!!) is inspirational and Ill keep your story in the back of my mind whenever I don't feel like working out ;]

These symptoms you're describing sound an awful lot like lyme disease -- my sister went through this and got the runaround.  Basically, severe joint pain coupled with debilitating exhaustion, and an "infection" that the doctor cannot diagnose -- finally we were referred to a bloodwork specialist who sent us to a lyme research doctor, who diagnosed her and began treatment (this all started 3 years ago, she's now 1 year into treatment, I think).  Too many doctors seem not to know what the actual symptoms of lyme disease are, and without the typical "bullseye" mark from an infected tick bite, they do not consider it.

That said, your story is an amazing inspriation to everybody, and I wish you all the best!

I was ready to give up today, as i got on the scales this morning, and gained 7 pound`s. I`ve been so good all week, really counted all my calories, but i`ve been laid up with terrible back pain, i have a trapped nerve. I was really fed up, until i read your story. I won`t  give up, but i do feel really down. I`m on so much medication, antidepressants, mood stableizers, pain killers, anxiety pills. Could this be why, my battle with weight is such a problem, i just don`t know.

I had previously lost 5 pounds, prior to this week, just carn`t see how i`ve gained 7 pounds, in a space of a week, WHEN I TRUELY have been so good.

Anyway i won`t give up, thanks for inspiring me, to continue.xxx

I woke up this morning in a terrible mood--the day just wasn't going well from the moment I woke up.  Anyone else had one of those days?  Then I stepped on the scale and the day seemed even worse :(  I had planned on working out in the morning, but due to TMJ related jaw pain I just couldn't get myself moving.  To say the least I was feeling pretty down on myself.  Then I got to work, opened my email and saw an email from CC and read this story--SO motivational.  Thank you so much for sharing!  So many times I'd love to sit and feel sorry for myself and blame outside influences preventing me from losing the weight--but at the end of the day I'm the only one that can make those changes.

Good luck and I hope you can find some relief!  Keep up the great work :)

I am so glad I read your posting.  I, too, have joint pain and it reallllly HURTS to be on my feet and walk for any length of time.  You have motivated me to start exercising on a regular basis.  I walk on my treadmill 3 days straight and then miss a week.  But I am going to try to walk every day and also, try using my Pilates chair I got for my birthday.  Keep up the good work and I'll keep you posted on my progress.

I praise GOD for the victory and success you have had.

that's so great! you worked so hard and sccomplished something that means a lot to you! You have proven to yourself that you can do something good for yourself, and it will lead to other great things as well.

It did take you to decide to make a difference and only you can do it for yourself. As I have found out. And you have made a difference for yourself. I'm so proud of you  Keep it up Kudos !!!

Thank you so much for your post.  I'm a month into my weight loss efforts and felt a little discouraged, but reading your post this morning just strengthened my resolve.  I won't give up!

This story sounds so familiar! I am the same way. I find myself sitting in my chair crying too and feeling so sorry for myself.Not knowing what to do about all the pain.I start exercising and I do fine then the pain hits and I regain what I have lost and it is back in that chair again.I am on alot of meds and several health problems and I have been thinking exacty the way you are and I am still in that chair but my mind is working overtime. I really needed to read your story and all of the post on here and most of all I need to just get out of that chair and do I miss so many good opportunities and fun  being in that chair I want to be in on all of the walking and fun.What is a phiotheripist {SP?] and how do you  find one?Thanks so much for your encouraging story I think it might be the push I need to get going.It seems with all the new medicine and research doctors still can't seem to find nothing except how to take our money!

Everyone's kind words are so appreciated...but I still want you to take away the main messaage from my story and apply it - IT IS UP TO YOU!! You are the one who will make the difference. There is no magical potion or diet or pill or Doctor that will make you feel better about yourself. Only YOU can do that.

Look inside and find that happy part of you that delights in butterflies and spring flowers, that appreciates the sun on your face and the laughter of children. Fill yourself with these wonderful sensations and know that you are wonderful and can do whatever you set your mind to. Find your strength..it is there! You only need to look! Remember - IT IS UP TO YOU!