by Samantha Marcum Blackaby

November is a time to give thanks and to be joyful about our blessings that God has bestowed upon us, but I must honestly say that this Thanksgiving, I am feeling just a little more blessed than usual due to the healthy choices that I have made within my life during the last year.

When I started my journey to healthier living in 2014, I didn’t realize how the choices that I made affected those that surrounded me. As a woman in her thirties, I had become accustomed to the fact that I was overweight, had achy joints and muscles, the occasional headache, and a few health problems, including high-blood pressure.

I was always tired, regardless of the amount of sleep that I had had the previous night. Exhaustion kept me from participating in activities with my two daughters and I didn’t dream exerting myself, in fear that I would shortly become out of breath and/or need to take a break.

I am only 5’2” and at my heaviest I topped the scales at 225 lbs. Clothing was extra, extra large and tent like. Shopping was a nightmare, I found myself depressed anytime I tried to find something to fit me.

Things were always too small! Stretch pants and t-shirts were all that fit me. It finally came to the point of total disgust for myself, and disappointment in how I had let my life fall into a routine of overeating and unhealthy food choices.

It didn’t matter what meal of the day it was or how full that I had engorged myself, I was constantly planning my next meal. Vacations, date nights, and family gatherings were all centered on eating, but while everyone else would stop…I never seemed to get enough.

What type of model was I setting for my children? Would they follow in my footsteps? I couldn’t let this happen…I had to do something!

In December of 2013, I decided to begin the process of having Lap-Band surgery. My body mass index was 40percent and this meant that I was not just overweight, but obese. But what was really frightening was that I also had a pre-existing condition, such as high blood pressure and that factor alone had moved me into the category of being morbidly obese!

I was one of those people that you see on television, in my mind, I was well on my way to my 600 pound life! This was my wake-up call, I was determined to do something about my life! I knew that at this state, my life wouldn’t be the healthiest that it could be!

Some think that surgery is an easy way out of obesity, suggesting that I should have just walked and exercised my weight off, but that’s it…when you are so large, you can’t and won’t move!

Many also feel that once you have surgery you can eat whatever you would like; however, I can assure you, it is not that way. I slowly began to add regular exercise into my lifestyle, as well as to remove things such as fried and fatty foods.

I began to include more water, fruits and vegetables, and lean meats into my diet. Lap-Band has been a useful tool to assist me with my current weight and lifestyle.

Lap-Band has allowed me to quickly lose the weight. I am currently weighing 115 lbs. and have never felt better! I am off all medications for high blood pressure and my BMI is down to 21percent.

Would I do it again? Of course! Only one regret plagues me…not doing something about my weight sooner!

I am now very active and enjoy running, playing sports, and being outdoors with my family. I see the happiness in my children’s eyes when they say, “Come play with me!”

Family meals are another area that has improved immensely. Meals include healthier, leaner cuts of meat and more fresh vegetables and fruits. My hopes are that by making heathier choices within my life, I can assist my children to strengthen our own Healthy Hometown.

For more information please contact April Speck, Clinton County Healthy Hometown Coordinator at 606-387-2051 or april.speck@clinton.kyschools.us

Check us out on Facebook- Kentucky’s Healthy Hometown Initiative-Clinton County.

Healthy Hometown is working toward a “healthy” Clinton County.

Amanda Marcum Blackaby, above, before making healthy lifestyle changes, and after, below.