Day 324 Rewards In Many Ways and Unstoppable Sunshine

Day 324

Rewards In Many Wonderful Ways and Unstoppable Sunshine

After last night's confession and the comments and e-mails that followed, I've decided that the most responsible, the smartest thing to do is to visit the doctor tomorrow. I was going to do it today but ran out of time. Tomorrow I will go in and get everything checked again...all the numbers that matter, and I'll get an official doctors opinion on the blood pressure meds. I'll have an update on all of this tomorrow night—and I think I'll have the numbers too. If I remember right, they're pretty quick on the turnaround with those things.

Today was frustrating in one regard and rewarding in another. I dealt with our health insurance provider today and that was incredibly frustrating. I need to be thankful that we have some form of health insurance, many don't. But it's so frustrating when you realize all of the things that they refuse to pay versus how much money they're paid monthly from our employers. I'm typically positive 98% of the time these days, but put me on the phone for 45 minutes with the insurance company---and it brings out that 2% of negativity really fast!

The rewards came in the form of wonderfully supportive comments on the blog, in my e-mail, and in person. Tonight I attended the Ponca City Chamber of Commerce 'Business After Hours' event hosted by the chamber and Team Radio. It's a tradition to make this one all about kicking off Rodeo week. The 101 Wild West Rodeo is this Thursday through Saturday in Ponca City and I'll be writing more about that and our broadcast from the event later in the week. With many of our community business leaders in attendance, I knew that I'd be seeing several people tonight that I haven't been face to face with in a very long time. And I know exactly what that means! “Wow” reaction over-load! Bring it on! This is one of the things I dreamed about early on this journey. Wherever I go, whoever I see---It just doesn't stop. Wow, wow, WOW! Mixed in with some “Look at yous” and a few “I didn't even recognize you.” If you're just starting and your journey is young...stay on this road my friend and get to this stage. The constant positive reinforcement catapults your resolve onto a whole new level. If someone asking “Have you lost weight?” thrills you, as it should, just wait until someone walks by without even knowing it was you---Just an amazing wonderful gift really. It's something I remember writing about in the early days of this blog. I was just dreaming about a time to come in the distant future, I certainly didn't think I would have this much change in such a relatively short time.

I started thinking about all the wonderful changes in my life after 324 days---it's a really long list! I'm so thankful that: I no longer have to use a C-PAP machine to breathe when I sleep. I no longer suffer from severe lymphatic swelling in my right leg that results in painful and dangerous open sores. I haven't felt the razor nipping pain of those nasty little things in so long, it's so wonderful. My blood pressure has improved dramatically. I can wear a seatbelt in any vehicle. I haven't been on a plane since losing weight, but I'm extremely confident the size of the seat would no longer be an issue. I haven't been to an amusement park with the girls yet, but I bet I could fit on whatever ride I wanted. My confidence has gone through the roof. My attitude has changed in a positive way about so many different things. I'm wearing size 42 jeans. Wow, I'll be in the 30's soon, really? That rocks! There are so many more, so many wonderful changes...But the most important changes have been within my family. To see what this journey is doing for Amber and Courtney's confidence, how it's transforming not only their bodies—but most importantly their minds...well, all I can say is---that's the greatest gift so far. No doubt, no question.

Tomorrow is weigh day. And possibly a monumental weigh day! I can't wait to hop on those scales and see if I've actually done it! 200 pounds lost is huge, it's still hard to believe really. But tomorrow may be the day. I'm so worried that I'll be one pound shy, wouldn't that be something? But no matter what, I'll be happy with the results. If it takes another weigh day to cross the 200 pounds lost marker, then alright. No big deal. If I do fall short tomorrow, then it will really be setting up the next weigh day to be a dual milestone event! 200 pounds lost and below 300 for the first time since 15 years old. I never get tired of saying that. I'm already wearing the jean size I did at 15! Isn't that crazy wonderful? You know how crazy wonderful it is? Let me explain: Like many people, we're going through some seriously tough times on many fronts. But those dark clouds are not thick enough, nor will they ever be, to hold back the sunshine that's flowing from our lives. It's unstoppable sunshine. Thanks for reading. Goodnight and...

Good Choices,
Sean