Conversations with my Dad...

I just HAD to share this.

I don't talk to my dad all that often. There's a reason for that. First of all, he LOVES to talk...about politics, or what's on the news, or about the Bible. He loves to talk about pretty much everything except himself. But when he does talk about himself he talks about his diabetes (type 2) and maybe his work. He really gets into talking sometimes that he starts, without meaning to, debates with the other person. Sometimes with me but we don't talk all that often on the phone. We butt heads I guess you could say. lol We get along just fine but he really enjoys arguing with me and he always wants to win...but so do I. <em>246</em> I do love him though. He's my dad! But we do "fight" often on certain things. It's all a bit amusing later on when I think about it though.

For the past couple of years I've been "lecturing" him about what he should be eating and not be eating because of his diabetes 2. He would not take me seriously. And well, now that I'm on "this side" I can see why. I mean, I wasn't even taking MY OWN advice so why should he??? I get it. I had no right to tell him what to eat and not to eat. But I knew what I was talking about. It was just eating a healthy diet. Or I *thought* I knew what I was talking about. lol! Wow! Was I ever blind? huh? Geez! No wonder everything I told him went in one ear and out the other.

So he answered the phone today (I bet he later regretted it LOL!!!). Here's a bit of what we talked about.

Me: "So do you know how much I weigh now?"
Him: "Um, I don't know, how much?"
Me: "I weigh 158 pounds now."
Him: "Wow! You've lost a lot of weight now. So, you're finished right? You've reached your ideal weight haven't you?"
Me: "Um no! I have about 33 more pounds to lose. My ideal weight is about 120-125 pounds."
Him: "Wow! (*he sounded a bit shocked*) You're going to be so skinny!"
Me: "I'm going to be healthy. At my ideal weight."

He pretty much thinks I should stay where I'm at. He said "If I lost any weight (*he weighs about 175-180 pounds and is just a couple inches taller than me*) I'd blow away with the wind!!!"

My other thought is this. He has no reason to doubt me anymore. I am proof that losing weight by eating healthy and exercising IS possible. I'm hoping my change will help him AND my mom a bit. I want them to live longer. I hope I can open their eyes too some time. I have already in a few ways. They are eating more fish (because I told my dad to "JUST TRY IT ONCE!", eating more vegetables it seems, drinking more water, eating more fruit. But they are still eating out once or twice a week, eating double their portions. Trust me I know they think they are eating just right for them but for the longest time in my life I thought my portions were just right. Boy, when I started counting calories I was SO wrong about that. lol Big eye opener calorie counting was. Yep!

Then I asked him if his Dr. has told him that if he lost a bit of weight then he would probably not be on medication for his diabetes 2 anymore. He said his Dr. hasn't said anything to him at all. Which I find a bit weird. For the past couple of years I have been telling him "ASK your Dr. about it!" He kept saying "Yes I will." But has yet to ask. I told him it's not really hereditary. Not type 2. The searches I have done online mostly say it's not. He only has it because of lack of exercise and poor diet. I know my dad. He LOVES to eat. Buffets and him get along very well. My mom is overweight too. I honestly don't know how to stop it.

This summer is going to be so different for me you have NO idea! I have not seen my parents since July of last summer. According to my dad I'm losing an unhealthy amount of weight. Now, keep in mind, I find these thoughts of his a bit amusing. lol I know I'm not losing an unhealthy amount of weight. I know where I need to be. I've been to my Dr and I have done my research. I don't blame him for thinking that though. I've been overweight my entire life. He has gotten used to seeing me "obese". It was my "normal" to him and my mom for many many years! Wow. Are they in for the shock of their lives when they see me IN PERSON for the first time in months!! I've sent them a few pictures of me but seeing me in person is so different. I'll feel like one of those biggest loser contestants going home after losing a big amount of weight. :-) I'm on my own "weight loss ranch" right now. haha!

I have thought of different scenarios that might happen this summer though. My parents ALWAYS call me for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Even if I'm not hungry. Actually, I never go hungry while I'm at their house. I never get as far as my stomach grumbling. I do here. Oh yeah and there's also the whole thing about so many good foods sold in the States. Well "good" before I started losing weight. Not really all that great now. :) During the summer I always want to stuff myself silly with my favorite foods because I'm there for such a short time. I always come back ten pounds heavier. NOT THIS SUMMER!!! Nope nope! I am determined to continue my healthy eating even though I will be living with my parents for about 1-2 months. That very first day I'm going to visit the gyms in their town and get started! I'm way too scared of gaining weight. I *might* gain 1-2 pounds but hopefully not more than that. I'm definitely going to have a very challenging summer getting adjusted to living somewhere else. :-) Oh yeah and I plan on counting calories again sometime this summer. The nutrition facts there are awesome and so easy to follow! :)

Can you tell I've been thinking a lot about this? As the time gets closer, it's just becoming more and more real. This is REALLY happening. I'm really moving! It's a bittersweet feeling though. I WILL miss a lot of things here and some people. For the past few months I've not been wanting to meet new people but as I've been losing weight I've noticed I've gotten more social so it's getting a bit hard. Ahh! Oh well. I'll be fine. :) There's always the internet to keep in touch! That and I know I'll be back to visit in the future. My kids are from here. I'm sure they'd love to see Norway again someday. I know I will want them to see it.

I look forward to the future! I'm going to embrace it with a smile on my face and a positive attitude!

~L