Why I Am Different

What Makes Me Different From My Old Self and Some Others

I was talking to a friend of mine yesterday about the struggles of losing fat.  I was explaining to her that for the longest time, I thought that I was different than anyone else.  I had many reasons why I had not lost weight. I shall list them:

• P.C.O.S- Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome.  In short, this is a disease where there are multiple cysts found on the ovaries.  The ovaries release hormones. And women with PCOS tend to release higher levels of testosterone than other women, resulting in weight gain, excess hair growth, and fertility issues.  All of which, I have.

• C-Sections: I have had TWO C-Sections.  Not a huge deal, I mean, women DO have more than that.  But anytime that you have a C-Section, the muscles in your lower abdomen are basically shredded. It makes it hard for them to re-gain their elasticity.

• Hysterectomy: This was not an optional procedure.  I had my hysterectomy about 30 minutes after my last C-Section. My uterus had ruptured and after trying everything else, it was decided that the only way to stop the bleeding was by doing a hysterectomy.  Of course, the fastest way to do it was to open my back up and take the darn thing out! Unfortunately , it's not like they had time to be careful and make sure that they went through the same incision each in each layer. It was the first time in over 30 years that my OB had needed to perform a hysterectomy after C-Section.  Every other time, he was able to stop the bleeding. 

I truly believed that these three things made me different from the rest of the people that were trying to lose fat.  In some ways, it DOES make me different.  It DOES make it harder to either LOSE the fat, or LOOK like I have lost the fat.  BUT, I finally decided that I didn't have to FEEL like I wasn't losing that excess fat. THAT is when I made the change.  Although I still have those same issues, and I may NEVER look like a total beach babe, the difference is, I just don't care anymore.  THIS journey isn't about LOOKING better,  it is about FEELING better.  Now, I DO think that I will OBVIOUSLY look a little or even a lot different, in the process.  But, my goal isn't to LOOK a certain way. THAT is the key! What makes me different? Sounds cheesy, I know,  But, this is the best way that I can describe my determination and well....feelings.

I'm in this to FEEL better!

 I want to FEEL physically healthy.  I want to FEEL emotionally healthy. I want to FEEL spiritually healthy. 

What Makes This Blog Different
After explaining my LONG, DRAWN OUT explanation of my struggles, this same friend asked me why she should follow my blog.

"I love you, but I follow a ton of other health blogs where the people have already lost the weight.  I know that what they are telling me to do is actually going to work. It worked for them."

I sort of had to laugh at this.  See, I follow "a ton" of other blogs as well.  But I got frustrated following the blogs of people who had "been there, done that."  Although I find it motivating to see their end result, the possibility of ME getting there seemed SO FAR AWAY!  It was almost discouraging and for a bitter redhead like myself, I found it sometimes hard to read them.  My intent in creating this blog was to have a blog that represented

• Someone IN the journey: Sometimes, it is nice to see that you are not along.  It's nice to see  hat other people are struggling in the same ways that you are.  Although the "end result" is good, some people are motivated more by "if SHE can do it...." other than "SHE did it...." It's easier to relate to someone that is where you are. When you have struggles, it's kinda nice to know that they might be struggling to.  It gives a better sense of "we're in this together." Or, at least I think so.

• Community: I wanted a place where people could share ideas and support each other.  That is the soul purpose of my Facebook Page  and why I have opened up to guest bloggers. Although both of those are new and haven't taken off yet, I think they will become a great tool in the future.

• ME: I needed something that represented who I am.  My thoughts, my beliefs, my journey.  Because we are all unique, we won't find complete satisfaction from someone else's journey.  We can get ideas, motivation, and a sense of relation from others, but not complete satisfaction.  That only comes from within.  This is my journey.  I don't expect it to be the "end all" of health blogs.  I hope that some people can relate to my journey.  I put up recipes that I think are good. I blog about things that I find interesting or that I struggle with. I blog about my successes and what brought me to them. If there are others that are on their own journey that want to share mine, I welcome it. I follow other blogs of people that interest me, inspire me, motivate me. It's just that this is the only one that IS me.  ;) 

That is what makes THIS blog different.  Kinda boring when you go back and read it.  But it defines me and my purpose.

What Makes YOU Different

If anyone out there in cyberspace stumbles upon this post, I want to make it clear that YOU need to know what defines you in your journey.  What makes your journey different than most.  Write it down! Make it public!  Make a statement!  Leave a comment here, or on your Facebook, or on your fridge, but let people know why THIS time is DIFFERENT!

We all have our own personal reasons why losing fat is "harder for us than other people."  They are not excuses though.  No problems EXCUSE you from FEELING HEALTHIER. You don't get a "Get out of jail for free" pass on this one.

WE ALL DESERVE BETTER! 

 It's time to PROVE it to ourselves and to the world! 

I am on my way to becoming The Healthy Redhead!