Candace L. Ehret from Ohio

A small investment that yields GREAT returns! Four years ago, my life changed drastically when I was injured on the job. My story is not unique. A serious back injury changed my entire life. I gained weight...I lost my job ...I was treated for depression...my physical endurance plummeted...my general health began to deteriorate...and I blamed it all on the injury. Topping out at 180 pounds, 40 pounds over my "before-injury" weight, my pain level increased to the point of daily (prescribed) narcotic use again (it had improved for a while following surgery).

I decided it was time for me to do something PROACTIVE about it instead of going back on antidepressants. In January, my son left for the Navy. We are suddenly empty nesters. It was also then that I made a commitment to lose weight, in hopes that it would reduce my back pain. I began by deleting sugary soda pop and snacks, reducing alcoholic beverages, and watching fat contents in my food. I initially had no change in my activity level. At 15 pounds, people began complimenting me on "getting skinny." I was beginning to see a pain management specialist for my back at the same time and told him of my weight loss goal. He agreed that it would be helpful. Well, I don't know about you, but when I make a commitment to myself and don't follow through, I only let down myself. But when I say it to someone else, I am more likely to stick with it. I was on a schedule to see him every two weeks for lumbar blocks and each time I went to see him, he was sure to ask. The lumbar blocks were showing success 10 days after the first injection. Perhaps losing weight contributed to the success? On the 10th day following my first injection, I attended my nephew's wedding (in a dress-size smaller party dress) and much to my surprise (and my husband's) I comfortably danced the night away!

I have since been enjoying a more physically active routine including dancing with my grandchild and the two year old girl I care for during the day, bike riding, swimming, and returning to golfing. (We recently joined a country club, since I am feeling well enough to start playing again.) After I had lost 22 pounds, I went for my annual physical. I was excited to tell that doctor about my weight loss, improved endurance, decreased back pain, that I hadn't taken my sleeping medication in six days, and have been sleeping better than ever. I also had run out of restless leg syndrome medication about a week earlier, but have not had symptoms. She was pleased. Two days later, she called me to report my cholesterol (which was concernably high a year previous) was "amazing!" My "good cholesterol" was 101...which showed that my diet and exercise had improved.

When I went shopping for my "mother of the bride" dress this week, I was disappointed to find a dress that I REALLY liked that there was only one left on the rack, and it was a dress size too small. I decided to try it on and see how much weight I would have to lose to get into it...and to my surprise, it fit...wonderfully! It will fit even if I do happen to lose just a little bit more. In a couple weeks I will see the pain management doctor for my post steroid injection series follow up. I cannot wait to tell him how awesome I feel. Today I am over half way to my goal of losing 40 pounds. I feel like I have my life back. I would tell anyone who is struggling with chronic pain and being overweight to make a commitment to yourself...and TELL SOMEBODY ELSE...someone you won't let down. It is WORTH IT!