I cannot believe it was only a short while ago I was 85kgs; in November 2019, I decided to change. A chance to live a better life, stop letting my illness control me and finally accept my neuropathic pain is going nowhere and living my life to the fullest despite it.
It’s so surreal. I look at myself in the mirror and cannot believe it’s me I’m looking at. I went from avoiding mirrors & cameras to constantly taking selfies! Yes, I love the new me! It’s been so long since I have felt this comfortable in my skin. Come to think of it, I don’t think I have ever felt this comfortable, and I am embracing every moment.
All this took was a change in mindset, letting go of my alcohol dependence, and thinking that hiding behind alcohol will solve all problems. But, unfortunately, I learnt the hard way; this truly is not the case. A thought that might sound so simple, but in all honesty, it was one of the hardest realizations for me, as alcohol has been my partner in crime for so long, a constant friend when I was in need.
Once I put things into motion in November 2019, taking my first step to see a nutritionist and start looking after myself the right way, it was all systems ago. I was lucky I had a great nutritionist who provided me with the guidance I needed to start my journey, but in the end, it was all up to me & if I didn’t have the willpower & determination to make the changes, I wouldn’t be here right now.
Except for my nutritionist, who guided me with my diet plan, I didn’t have any other professional assistance. I didn’t go to a gym, and I didn’t have a personal trainer; it was all me & my sheer determination to see this through. I didn’t even start this journey with weight loss in mind. I began this journey to try an alternative way to manage my neuropathic pain as there was no medical intervention. I didn’t want to continue to take copious amounts of pain tablets. However, losing weight from the beginning gave me the confidence to keep going, pushing through even when my body will fall in a heap due to pure exhaustion and pain, but I kept going. I saw the light at the end of the tunnel, and I wanted to get there.
It wasn’t easy, but you can do anything if you put your mind to it. It’s all up to us as individuals to actually want to make that change, and you need to be all in heart, mind & soul, regardless of the situation.
Are you ready to start your journey?
“You can’t go back & change the beginning, but you can start now & change the ending.”
C.S Lewis