With my favorite Zumba instructor Kaitlyn.
Danz for the Kids, Lansing, April 2015
Hi! My name is Virginia. I began a new journey in weight loss today. One that I have been apprehensive to take due to the societal view of medically assisted diets. The visions of 1980s and Fenfen spring to mind for most. When did surgical weight loss become more approved of than medically assisted diets? After all, the products used by medical weight loss clinics are FDA approved as opposed to these over the counter “appetite suppressants” that anyone can buy at your local vitamin store… or these “energy drinks” that are full of God knows what and causing health conditions across the board. I know people who have chosen to go thru Gastric Bypass. I’ve seen how it doesn’t always work and it certainly doesn’t teach healthy eating and exercise habits. I WILL NOT EVER DO THIS!
Sorry… back to what I am up to. I decided to give Express Weight Loss + Wellness Clinic a try. They have a medically supervised program that includes individualized meal planning, exercise and medicinal treatment solutions. Today I had full blood work, body fat analysis, BMI, blood pressure and EKG work done. Tomorrow I meet with the practitioner to discuss my plan. I am utilizing their LipoPlus Injection which is full of Lipotropic Enzymes, Vitamin B-Complex, Levocarnitine, Chromium and L-Citruline. I will also be using an appetite suppressant. Anyone who is a foodie, food addict or emotional eater can tell you that diets are nearly impossible without these. I have been secretly using an over the counter (non-FDA approved) one for a few weeks now. You know… the pills loaded with caffine that make you jittery…. well now I will be using one under medical supervision that has been FDA approved. These will NOT contain amphetamine.
I will also be doing Zumba on average about 5 times a week and as I feel more energy, I hope to add some weight work and Pilates to the mix at my favorite fitness studio, Nafas in Royal Oak. I also wear a Fitbit and will focus on at least 12000 steps a day. This ensures you are getting activity regularly and gives you an opportunity to have a little healthy competition with others.
I begin my new journey at 237.2 pounds and a size 18W. So depressing. What’s worse? I am 42.3% fat…. almost half my body is fat!!! So why am I so determined to lose weight once and for all?
Vanity & health concerns. I am happy with most things in my life… My home, my job, my family and my network of friends. The one place I find myself upset about most is my appearance. I know I am a beautiful woman both inside and out, but I would be happier if I was the thinner, healthier version of me that I was in my earlier years.
Me – 1997 – The thinnest I remember being as an adult
Heart disease and adult onset diabetes runs on both sides on my family and has claimed 3 of my 4 genetic Grandparents lives. I don’t want to be that statistic.
So I begin this journey with hopes that it is finally the solution to my yoyo dieting and gets me back to my fit and fabulous former self. Tomorrow is my first shot and meeting to discuss my low calorie, low carb, high protein diet. I will track all my food on My Fitness Pal under the screen name LifeOnTheVirg. Feel free to friend me. I will also be doing regular blogs about my successes and my challenges. I don’t expect this to easy, but it can’t be any harder than all the other things I tried (remember my 1200 calorie vegetarian diet with 2 workouts a day?)
You’re support is always welcome…. keep your criticism to yourself.