Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Dona, a 47 year old Louisville resident. This is story about losing weight but also what I found along the way.
This story needs a little background, so as a middle aged overweight woman, I had decided this is my identity. It suited me. I didn’t have to make any changes in my life, I was on my way to becoming a fat, middle aged woman. Then it happened the dreaded doctor’s check up. I saw the highest number I had ever seen that was my own weight. I knew it was coming , I was ready to justify it, defend the woman I was. I was big, bold and beautiful, a cougar in the making. As gently as the doctor could say it. “I can’t give you the prescription you’re here for, your 46” and then his voice just trailed off. He didn’t finish, he didn’t have to I was overweight and old. He was compassionate and explained to me that this was a matter of my health safety. I well understood, I am a registered nurse with 27 years experience, I knew the drill, middle aged fat women don’t get prescriptions that aren’t safe for them.
Damn it. I just kept hearing 46, 46, 46, well I was proud to be 46 and I’ll admit that there are things in my past and present that I would like to change, 46 wasn’t one of them. I had and still have a great job, a sweet little house and a red hot car. I worked hard to get to the point where I am in my career and I was proud of 46. I just kept hearing the unspoken, your overweight and it’s effecting your health. Ouch.
This wasn’t the first time that my weight had been an issue. After bemoaning my lack of male companionship a mental health professional told me that the only reason I wasn’t dating was because I was overweight. That therapeutic relationship ended, I needed support not a lecture on why thin women dated and I didn’t.
I couldn’t change my age but my weight was in my power. Two weeks before Christmas 2008, I went to Weight Watchers. Well, I thought I knew how to eat, chicken, more chicken and still more chicken, forget Christmas goodies, feel sorry for me. The meeting started and the program was explained. Weight Watchers is about making choices, not sacrifices. I could make this happen, it was about power and the power to make healthy choices and developing an active lifestyle. A pound, a mile at a time.
Weight Watchers became an adventure, not a chore. “How can I change this recipe, eating habit and still be satisfied, happy even with this food?” Enjoying one bite not the whole pie, what a concept.
I started walking in the spring of 2009. One step, two steps bench. My friends became my partners in crime, “Let’s walk.” Walking soon became my meditation time, my time to solve problems one mile at a time. It also became a precious time for me to develop special friendships. We would start at one mile and eventually we were walking seven miles. I was an athlete. I have been many things in my life, student, nurse, sister, friend and daughter, but athlete was not one of them. We talked and one day the talk turned to “We are great, we could do a half marathon.” All of the sudden we were in training for the Louisville Marathon. During this time I was still attending Weight Watcher meetings. Dona you can do it, Dona you are doing it. My friend Dana had to quit walking with me and I thank you Dana for those talks and your encouragement. So here I am in training by myself, I was disappointed, but I understood. I couldn’t do a half marathon by myself or could I?
Doing this by myself has never scared me before, I spent a week at a resort in the Dominican Republic, making friends along the way.
So here I am 40 pounds lighter, looking and feeling good. I just kept hearing “you can do this” and “what is the worst possible thing that could happen?” Remember, I’m a nurse, I know life and death situations and this was not one of them. If I could not finish and I would be carted off the course, I could develop nasty blisters and have sore feet. I had been training, I felt, no I knew that I could do this. I announced to anyone who would listen “I’m walking the Louisville Half Marathon,” and so I did.
My friend Monica came along to cheer me through the first couple of miles, “Find a good pace, you can do it, take your time, finish the race.”
I crossed the finish line, 13.1 miles behind me and Monica cheering me on. My smile was 13.1 miles wide and that grin didn’t leave for quite sometime. The now 47 year old powerful fit woman who did it. I met my goal and it was mine.
By now I had joined Urban Active gym, Kate Klein, my very own personal trainer, getting me to lift weight of all things. Working with Kate helped me lose 15 more pounds and decrease my body fat by 9 percent. Thank you Kate.
I had the fever, the Polar Bear Grand Prix, three races through a cold Cherokee Park in December, January and February. Brrr
The Triple Crown of Running, starting these with a good friend and ending with an even better friend.
April 2010, 73 pounds lighter and now the weight has been off about 6 months. Derby Mini Marathon, 15,000 of my closest friend and me running and walking.
I again found friends who were up to the challenge. The four of us took pictures, grinned and giggled then the race started. My friend Nicole wore a hat that said “Gotta Run” and she did crossing the finish line a half hour before the other 3 of us. Mary Beth, Tiffany and I crossed the finish line with Cola cheering us on. Again I knew that this was my accomplishment, yes I had love and support but I did the work and had the fun. Pretty good for a 47 year old healthy woman.
I realize that the positive lifestyle changes are just that changes. The exercise and mindful eating are a part of my life now. I didn’t lose anything but 73 pounds.
Do you have a story that might inspire others? Do you know someone who inspires you? Share your story with us. Connecting with our neighbors is what it’s all about.
Tags: Community, Connection, Inspiration, Lifestyle, Louisville, People
I am right behind you. There are two differences. I am not 47 I am 57. I don’t walk because I own a restaurant and I am on my feet all day. So, I swim instead. I haven’t seen any weight loss yet because I am not weighing myself, but I know it feels good.
Dated and late I know, but just the kind of inspiring story that I needed this early morn of the 2nd of the New Year! Thanks much!