Confession: I am surprised by the support from friends and family during this trial and journey, and also the lack of support from the people you are closest to.
This rapid weight loss thing is a head game. Many warned me of this. I felt ready, and mostly I was, but the things that are hard are surprising me so much! In fact, much tears have been shed. My immediate family is beyond supportive and excited. My kids can already see my life changing. I don't need my feet rubbed every night, I do not need assistance tying my tennis shoes, climbing on a chair to get something out of the cupboard, climbing over the back seat to reach something, the list can go on and on and on. My acquaintances are some of my biggest cheer leaders! This surprises me because they really didn't know my day to day trials. They really didn't see how ill, how hard, and how MUCH my weight effected me. Yet there they are, cheering me on. Hoping and watching for my success. Noticing my hard work. This truly melts my heart! but some of the people who I am closest to, not all of them mind you, do not seem happy with my progress. Maybe that is too harsh...they act as though I am cheating my way through it. Like its easy because I am just "starving to death" or have an "anatomy that will not absorb fat anyway" or I will just "lose weight with out even trying." This shocked me, hurt me, and has caused a bucket of tears.
I said it. I have cried. Cried my eyes out. I feel so lonely and afraid sometimes. I work so hard to make sure I get enough calories every day. To make sure I have the nutrition I need to not end up in the hospital- AGAIN. I can't just eat the beloved brownie, the brownie of my dreams, the brownie i eye lustfully, and covetously, because if I eat that, at the end of the day, my muscle mass will have depleted some, my potassium will get too low, and I probably would have just craved more and more sugar until I didn't have enough hydration for that day. Where will that get me? Oh! I know! A trip to the ER! I have had 5 of those! I know the drill! I work this- every day! I need my people! and to not have them, here, cheering for me, breaks my little heart. broken. sad.
I struggle each day with my appearance. I look in the mirror an barely recognize myself. It weirds me out! should it? I have no idea! Its just what it is. The last thing I need is to feed abandoned or betrayed by the people I love. Do they even realize that I feel this? Did they mean to make me feel this way? Is this a jealousy thing? sure! I am always jealous of the thin and the perfect! But I am working so hard for each day. Each day I make 30 food choices! I just have a great big fat hammer in my tool box now! (its nice to have around, that fat hammer!) But I am building a me right now, and I have to take every step myself! I am just shocked, sad, and hurt.
I guess I shouldn't be such a cry baby. I always say that I need to consider some one's INTENT before feeling bad. I know people do not generally intend of hurting people's feelining, but hey, I swear my feelings are way way way to close to the surface these days. Maybe I should shove them back down. A little.
Thankfully I know that prayers are answered. Everyday. I know that I was lead to this life changing decisions through many hours of prayer and personal revelation. I know that my Savior had borne all my tribulations, and is still there for me, cheering me on. Without Him, I would for sure be lost. In all ways.
Gabrielle, all I can say is "WOW!"
ReplyDeleteI have been reading through your posts. I had no idea of all your struggles! You are always so uplifting to me, so happy and seem to have it so together! You and your cute family! You are a beautiful, inspirational woman! I'm glad you have this blog, I had struggled with self esteem for 40 years and it got me into some pretty deep trouble. I know it's hard to be real and honest but I think if you can do that you can do anything! It takes a TON of courage to be up front and honest with yourself! Way to go, I say! Way to go!
Isn't self esteem just so cruel sometimes!? Thank you.
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