My Story

I am Angee and this is my story. This story began on April 17, 2012. This is the day when I sat in my doctor's office only to receive the news that I was being diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. This was a REAL reality check for me. It is terrifying to be told all the other health related problems that can occur if Diabetes isn't controlled. Needless to say I left my doctor in a state of disbelief and a little overwhelmed to say the least. However, this was the news I was expecting...I knew the symptoms I had dealt with them before as I had Gestational Diabetes with both of my children. But the doctor had just STRESSED this is a life changer....This was NOT going away! I would now always be considered Diabetic. This meant one thing. Time for a major lifestyle change. Gone were the Mountain Dews, gone were the yummy Milky Way bars, Gone was all the GOOD foods I did so love or so I thought. It was time to regroup not just for me but for my children. I slowly began to make changes and I made "friends" with Diet Mountain Dew which is today a favorite! Within several months, I had gotten things under control or so I thought. But there was a one thing lingering out there. I needed to loose some weight. Fast forward this time last year, this is when my mom had a stress test which long story short resulted in her having bypass surgery in December. After once again, analyzing our family medical history it became clear that Diabetes is not the only concern for me. Back to the doctor I went... my cholesterol was a little high and I was placed on medication and now loosing weight was not longer an option it was a necessity! So, where do I start? I didn't know. I had already made the necessary changes to my diet. So what else did I need to do? I wanted and NEEDED to take charge of my health. So it began or did it. Oh trust me I talked a good talk but at this point it was ALL talk. It wasn't until this summer July in fact that I got serious! After reading the book, Reshaping It All by Candance Cameron Bure while on vacation I put things in perspective. I knew the missing component in my health journey. It was GOD. I had failed to ask him and rely on Him and trust in Him to meet my goals. How did He want me to do this? When I got home from the beach I started walking, walking and walking and praying, praying praying. I am not talking a little stroll down the road. I was serious. I downloaded MapMyWalk on my phone to keep track of my miles and I walked. I did not walk only when I carved out the time I MADE the time every day. I truly felt this is where God was leading me. He was telling me to take the steps to take care of ME and it was okay to take the time for ME. He helped me work through the guilt that I felt of leaving the kids to walk and take this time for myself. Three plus months later they see me with my shoes on and ask, "you going walking?" They have survived... and I know longer feel guilty. Guess what, folks.....IT FEELS GOOD to be moving!! God didn't intend for us to be sedentary. He designed us to move. He didn't design us to eat the foods many of us eat,either. If you doubt this look up the story of Daniel. I can now say I LOVE walking....and the weight is coming off little by little. Since July I have lost 13 pounds. My goal weight is closer with just 10 pounds to be at an ideal weight according to my doctor. With putting GOD first, allowing Him to be in charge and the consistent exercise and eating healthy foods I am doing what I need to do. And again It feels good. I sleep better. I have more energy. I have fewer headaches. I could go on but I am sure you get the point. I decided to start this blog because perhaps my journey can inspire you to get moving and take control of your health. I, also, have people asking all the time about my walking adventure and how I do it so here I can answer those questions. Have a question for me then ask...I will share any part of my journey with each of you. I will journal my ups and downs, my progress, share some recipes, share what works and doesn't work for me. Will I stumble along the way? Of course, probably more than I would like but I will succeed because God is with me on the journey! Maybe my story will help you get started at least that is my prayer. Remember it starts by just taking that first step.... the first step in faith. So, Will you step out in faith with me and join me on this journey? I sure hope you will.