Achieve small goals to re-educate yourself to what you can achieve.

The most amazing thing about the experience as I was running up the mountain (yes, I said running) is that never in my wildest dreams did I believe it could ever be possible.

Let’s face the truth: if change for the better were easy, everyone would do it. It isn’t easy but it isn’t impossible or as difficult as I imagined it would be.  I think what shifted for me which allowed me to keep to my weight-loss plan was that I had a clear short-term goal to lose 10% of my body weight in anticipation of the planned surgery. I was motivated by the possibility of reducing the risk that I would die during surgery. Of course I “knew” the risk my obesity placed on my health but I continued to lie to myself that I had no choice in managing it.

When I realised that I could lose 10% of my body weight, 15kg at that time, I knew that I could lose more. I am so grateful that fate dealt me the delays to the intended surgery dates that it did which allowed me to make this transformation myself, without the need for bariatric surgery.A YouTube clip of me on top of the mountain

Here’s what I’ve learned:

1) I am able to make life-affirming decisions rather than life-threatening ones.

2) I am able to shake off the need for any prescription medication by eating and exercising differently.

3) I am able to not only endure but also to enjoy physical challenges.

4) I’m not a wuss.

5) I can still enjoy eating and preparing food even though I don’t eat starch, sugar or drink alcohol.