I say in progress as this journey is a long way from over, and the more I learn about achievement and success the more I reaalise that it is as much an attitude and a journey as a destination... Still I claim success because I have come a very long way indeed.
What's my story?
The short answer would be weight loss - 85+ pounds so far in 2009.
The longer answer is that i have resolved a lifetime of disordered eating which at different stages saw me sekeltally thin & malnourished at about 75 pounds, to the other extreme of morbidly obese and at severe risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes at 300 pounds.
Driving the behaviours that lead to these extraordinary states was a LOT of emotional distress and a lot of really unsupportive, self destructive ways of thinking about myself, the world and my place in it. For at least 15 years eating disorders and the extreme mental patterns that make them possible ruled my life... my great triumph is not that I am now back under 200 pounds (for the first time in 10 years) and on my way to a healthy weight and a fit strong body, but that I have changed the mindsets that caused the problems.
Along with shedding disordered eating I have kicked insomnia, several addictions, some really frustrating phobias and other self limiting/self destructive behaviours, and the anti anxiety medication that was my constant staple for 7 years.
I have developed confidence, high self esteem and motivation - I work out with a personal trainer twice a week now (and would love to go more often if I could afford it!) and LOVE the feeling of vitality and strength that comes from developing a fit healthy body.
I feel at last that I have a good point from which to start planning the life that I want - a point where I have energy and mental resilience, the capacity to develop my goals into being. So much of my life was playing catch up, and I have arrived at the starting gate at long last, it's pretty exciting!
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