The Turning Point

How do you reach a turning point and make a decision to change? The answer is different for everyone. Losing weight began almost by accident. During the busy vacation week, George and I made a quick trip to the grocery. I picked up a woman's magazine. The article described some new research on weight loss and I decided to give it a try. The diet was for a a new lower fat version of Atkins with more dietary fiber. We tried Atkins once before when it still had all the high saturated fats and virtually no fiber. We decided half heartedly to follow the diet. but I never believed it would work.

For the rest of the week we were in a hurry preparing for my daughter's graduation from college. Family members were coming to visit. My husband and I began a ferocious week of cleaning and painting to get the house ready. After a solid week of activity, my body collapsed. I woke up Friday morning and couldn't stand up. I was in extreme pain in my back and legs. Graduation was Saturday and I was afraid I would not be able to walk to the stadium and watch her accept her diploma. Only lots of pain medication allowed me to hobble to the stadium and back to my car.

Six thousand students received diplomas at Ohio State University stadium that day. We sat there for a long time. As we waited, I had a long time to think about our future. I didn't want to feel this pain for the rest of my life. I felt an amazing satisfaction that George and I had raised two daughters who were now finished with college. Both daughters have wonderful young men and will be starting families soon. I realized I wanted to live and watch my children start families. I realized I wanted to be able to know our future grandchildren. I wanted those grandchildren to remember me as someone who was active and not an invalid.

When we got back home and the crowds had gone, I decided to discuss my thoughts with my husband. I told him, “Today was a wake up call for me. It's time for a change. The pain I am feeling right now is what I will continue to experience the rest of my life if I don’t loose weight,

We have to do something drastic. I want to start following a low fat-low carb diet I read about in a magazine. I want to stick with it until I reach my goal weight. I just have to do this for myself. Is this all right with you?”

He said, “I’ll do anything I can to help you.” This decision began our weight loss journey.. I was filled with confidence at his words.

I thank God for the back pain that lasted all summer. My pain was a daily reminder of why I had to stick to the diet. I thank George, my soul mate, my partner in life's journey, who's loved me through thick and thin. He's been supportive in every way and with God's help, he and I can become healthier together.