About Me Monday: What's Up With Those Ankles?

Hi Everyone!

Welcome to the third and final installment of my About Me Monday series.  I have divulged a lot of things that I normally would choose to keep private, but from the overwhelming number of comments and emails I have received about sharing my story, I am glad I worked up the courage to share my story with you.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your kind words and support!

This week I want to tell you about my legs and ankles.  Do any of you remember the old Cher commercial she did for a fitness club years ago?  Her catchphrase in the commercial was "even my ankles are fat!"  Of course, the humor was supposed to be that no one has fat ankles.

Well, it seems like no one has fat ankles except me, lol.  I know that is not true, but believe me, it sure feels that way!  As I shared in last week's installment, I have lost over 100 pounds since October. You would think my ankles would be pretty darned slender, wouldn't you? Not only that, but my thighs and calves have been stubborn in letting go of the fat.

This picture of me was taken this past Friday.  I am wearing a size medium tee shirt! Yet, my thighs, calves and ankles are huge and oddly shaped.

See how my thigh kind of overlaps my knee? (I can't believe I am actually pointing this out!!) That is a classic sign of lymphedema. You can't see it in the photo, but there is an overlap of my calf by my ankles as well.  Ugh. Ugh. Ugh.

Enter the common thread in all of my "About Me" posts: my chiropractor!  A few months ago, when I was in for a check-in for my weight loss, he expressed surprise that my legs were not slimming like the rest of me.  It was his feeling that I had something called lymphedema. (Without going into the whole scientific definition, it basically is swelling caused by a malfunction in the lymphatic system.) Off I went to an occupational therapist trained in lymphedema massage.  I went four times over a four week period, but really did not see any improvement. She also fitted me with compression leggings that I have to wear 23 hours a day (yep, twenty three hours each & every day). They help to keep the condition from worsening.  I am currently in search of finding a doctor who speciallizes in this disease, as I have read there is more intensive treatment available that will reduce the swelling substantially.  After that occurs, then as a patient, I would need to work on maintaining.

There isn't alot of information out there regarding this rare condition,  so it is hard to find a doctor who specializes in lymphedema. What I have learned - much to my dismay - is that there is no "cure" for it and without proper attention it can get worse and be quite debilitating, both physically and mentally. It definitely is not an attractive condition.  My chiropractor figures I am carrying 30 to 50 pounds of lymphatic fluid in my legs! I am so thankful to have this doctor in my life, as I would have just assumed it was my weight that was causing my legs to look the way they do.  Of course, being a healthy weight will help lessen some of the size, but it is not the only treatment that needs to be done.

So there you have it - my fat and sassy ankle and leg story!  No mini skirts or capris for me - at least for now.  I do have a wedding coming up and am thankful maxi dresses are in style.  Because of my weight, I haven't worn a dress in years.  Years. Years as in probably 15.  While not burning up the runway in model good looks, I am pretty happy with the dress I found.  It will probably shock the relatives when I show up in something other than black dress pants, lol.

I will keep you posted on my lymphedema journey every now and then.  I do believe many women have this condition and just do not realize it. I have become somewhat obsessed with checking out ankles - ankle envy, ha!  I hope I have helped some of you who have faced some of the same issues I have faced.

Now, back to some pretty photos and happy posts!

Happy Memorial Day weekend to you all - remember those who have served to make our country great.

Thanks for stopping by,
Jane
Linking with:
Metamorphosis Monday
Coastal Charm Show & Share
Make it Pretty Monday
Amaze Me Monday
The Scoop
Inspire Me Tuesday
Wow Us Wednesday
Party in Your PJ's
Share Your Style

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About Me Monday: I Always Thought it was a Secret

Hi everyone!

Thanks sooo much for joining me for the second of my three part series, "About Me Monday."  My first installment where I shared my lost year really struck a chord with many of you and I appreciate all of your sweet comments and emails.

Today I am dipping my toe into scary waters and talking about a subject that is very uncomfortable for me to share.  Like, "breaking out in hives and hyperventillating" kind of scary.  It is an area of my life that I have always, always, always kept very private.

Ssshhh....don't tell anyone, but I am fat.  Yes, I have kept that a secret.  No one else has ever known that about me.  Except for my family, friends, co-workers, strangers and any one I have ever met in person or who has seen a photo of me.  Ok, I guess the only person who thought my obesity was a secret was me.  I think I believed if I didn't acknowledge it no one would know........

But I am obese.  Morbidly obese according to all the health charts.

2011

So why I am I sharing this personal and for me, incredibly embarrassing, topic with all of blogland? Well, besides possible insanity, I think I may be able to help and inspire those of you who may need to lose weight but have found it difficult to do so.

After my year long health issues I shared in my last post, I had been feeling so much better once I found the right doctor and the solution to my problems.  Although I was no longer suffering from my illness, I still felt stuck in my armor of fat and my quality of life was really lacking due to the limitations and general lethargy I felt from carrying so much extra weight.  Even though I was well aware my weight was affecting my life, I had resigned myself to living my days with sore feet, ill fitting clothes and limited energy.  I believed it was my lot in life.

Enter again my amazing chiropractor.  Yep, the chiropractor strikes again, lol.  Here's the story:

While waiting for my appointment with my chiropractor to begin, I noticed a sign for a weight loss program he offered through his practice.  It was a six week plan that promised a 25 to 40 pound weight loss.  Intrigued, I asked him about it and long story short, I signed up that day and have not looked back.

Now, to back track a bit, like most people who are severely overweight, I have tried many weight loss programs in the past: Diet Center, Nutri System, Medifast, Slim Fast, juicing, etc., etc., etc.  All with some success, but never lasting and in fact,they were the catalyst for gaining even more weight.

2013

I had a daunting task ahead of me.  I was a good (is that an oxymoron?) 150 #'s overweight.  And of course, what self respecting weight loss plan doesn't start with a weigh in on the scale. Ugh!  It was shocking and heart wrenching to see the reading on the scale: 297.4 pounds. Talk about heartbreaking...not surprising, however it sure was humilating to see it up in lights. But, I went in with a determination - after all it was only six weeks.  I can do anything for six weeks.  Well, this program has clicked for me.  Totally clicked.  Maybe it's the right "diet" or maybe the stars were aligned or it was divine intervention. Regardless, the pounds and inches came off.  I was also never hungry - no cravings, no growling stomach. None. Nada. Zilch. I started at the end of October and I am down about 103 pounds.

The difference I feel in this particular "diet" is that it really isn't a diet in the way a person normally thinks of a diet.  There are no artificially flavored shakes or bars, no processed foods.  You eat healthy, whole foods - veggies, chicken, fish, fruit.  Nothing that comes from a factory or has factory made ingredients.  I do not have the "when I'm done, I can eat _______" mindset anymore.  The phrase, "when I'm done with my diet," always meant, "when I go back to the foods that made me fat." Once I no longer am losing weight, I will still be eating the same foods, just in a higher quantity.  I think that is what's made the difference for me.....I have completely turned about what types of food I like and want to eat.  By eliminating the junk and eating food in balance with one another, my brain no longer calls out for sugars or fats.  It has truly been a miracle for me and quite possibly may have saved my life.

2014

I am not here to promote the particular weight loss program I am on.  If you would like to know what it is called and where to get more information on it, feel free to leave me a message.  I also would be happy to answer any questions you have about my experience.  There are plenty of programs and methods to lose weight.  My purpose for telling you my journey is similar to my experience with searching for a doctor who could help me with my year long mystery illness.  I want to urge any one who has excess pounds to lose - and who wishes to lose them - to keep looking for the "right" weight loss program for you.  I had all but given up, but finally found a plan that works for me and one I feel I can use throughout the rest of my life.

April 2015

I still have a way too go in my weight loss journey, but not nearly as far as I had to go when I first started in late October.  I no longer shop in the plus size aisle.  I don't wonder if I will fit comfortably in a theater seat or look for the closest parking spot at the mall.  I am looking forward (sort of!) to getting into a work out routine.  One thing I use daily is a little exercise bike that I can use when I am at the computer or watch TV.  I try to get 20 minutes in the morning before work and another 30 or so in the evenings.  It really has strengthened my legs and is a great way to get my "steps" in for the day.

April 2015

Believe me, I know "dieting" is personal - I'm hyperventillating as I'm writing, lol!  I've told you I'm fat, how many pounds I've weighed (and if you are good at math, you know how much I currently weigh) and disclosed I'm on a diet.  Yikes!  But, I hope by sharing, I may motivate some of you who feel it is hopeless to look for a plan that works for you and you can start improving your health as well.  Like me, you have people in your lives who love you (no matter what your size) that want you to be happy, healthy and around for a long, long time. I encourage you  to take that first step. Or second. Or tenth. Or, like me, it took countless steps to find something that worked.

Mother's Day 2015

Thanks for stopping by,
Jane

*remember to always consult with your doctor before starting any weight loss or exercise program

Join me for the third and final installment of my "About Me Monday" series: "What's Up With These Ankles?"

Linking with:
Amaze Me Monday
Metamorphosis Monday
Coastal Charm Show & Share
The Scoop
Inspire Me Tuesday
Wow Us Wednesday
Party in Your ON's
Share Your Style
Grace at Home
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