I think I've made a pretty good start all in all.

[msvaleriah]

I'm a happy neophyte hosehead. Very grateful for all the good advice and stories from everyone on this forum. Being able to read about other peoples' experiences has been a huge help. Thanks and virtual hugs to all of you! I'm one of the fortunate ones who can do 100% compliance right off the bat. I've had my struggles here and there too: getting my mask adjusted correctly, dealing with leaks and all those other little things that go along with cpap use. Little hassles. No big deal really. Finding out I do object to the mask-marks in the morning. Not only is it unattractive, but there's a bit of chafing and discomfort that goes along with it. Unacceptable. Have ordered a Padacheek liner for my mask. Hopefully, problem solved. If not, I'm sure something else will take care of it.

The first ten days my energy levels did a roller-coaster ride. I actually had a couple of very drowsy days and my sneaky 10 minute catnaps at lunch over my Kindle continued. My early morning elliptical workouts were initially a little more of a challenge after I started cpap too, but in the last few days there have been subtle, gradual improvements. Even tho' I woke up a little yawny Thursday and Friday, I perked up pretty well after my 30 minutes of elliptical, I didn't drowse off while doing my lunchtime reading, and Friday evening I absolutely killed it in my Functional class. My appetite seems better regulated and I dropped a pound last week. Cool beans!

I'm looking forward to a much better future for having done this, and I know it. I have some serious health goals, and fortunately, it seems I'm not too far gone physically to be able to pull all of this off. I have very dear friends who are, and much as I love them, I'm quite determined not to end up in the same boat.

My health issues are pretty much all self-inflicted, and typical of someone who has had a lifetime issue with obesity. I've spent the past 20 years being 100 lbs. or more overweight. I've had a stent in my heart since 2007, have high-blood pressure controlled (more or less) thru meds, type II diabetes, depression and asthma. I've got 10 prescriptions currently, plus supplements. I'm sure this is a familiar story to some folks here.

The good news is that so much of this can be reversed by taking responsibility and making the effort to change the way we live. I want to see just how much I can turn it around for myself. I've dealt with most of the emotional issues/stuff that drove all this to begin with and now I want to live to be a healthy 100 years old or more if I can.

My first goal is to achieve a healthy weight and then maintain it for life. I currently weigh 235 lbs. My goal weight is currently 165. I'm not one of those people who can be pigeon-holed into the BMI chart. According to a DEXA body-comp scan from January, my lean body mass is 135. I'm 5'3", and the BMI chart tops me out at 140. That's not gonna work. Even if I could achieve it, it's unrealistically and unhealthily lean. A weight of 165 lbs. would put me at 18% body fat percentage, which is excellent for a woman of 56. It's also a weight I can realistically maintain for the rest of my life. Another major goal is to put my type II diabetes into remission, and third, I want to come off as many prescription meds as I possibly can, and maintain my health through healthy habits. Once I've mastered all of that, I want to help others in the same boat accomplish their own similar goals. So I'll be going back to school and working toward my "retirement" career. At this age you start to think about what you're leaving behind you - I can think of nothing better than to help myself live a good life by helping others do the same. I think it works!

I'm feeling pretty confident that using my cpap when I sleep will help me achieve all of this, and so I'm eager and willing to embrace this journey. Hope everyone else that's just starting out hangs in there too. If you're more stubborn than your problems, you're going to win! Believe it. This is so good for us.

[sleepstar]

I feel really excited reading your post I wish you well in all this and hope to hear a lot more from you

[chunkyfrog]

Welcome, and congratulations on getting a handle on this so quickly. I would like to point out,
however, that you needn't shoulder all the blame for your obesity.
We now know that OSA can contribute to weight gain at least as consistently as
excess "fluffiness" can worsen apnea and its effects on our health.

[jencat824]

Welcome! As Chunkyfrog said OSA can cause obesity, not always the other way around. I lost weight when I 1st went on CPAP, then because of my bad habits the weight came back. I've lost & regained the same weight for years. This time around I've recently lost weight & lost my engagement ring when it fell off my hand from the weight loss. Well, I got a new engagement ring & this time as I continue to lose, I'm going to get the darn thing sized. Words of wisdom with your jewelry - if it gets loose, get it sized or leave it in the jewelry box til you reach your goal weight. I was so proud of losing weight I wanted to show off how lose my rings were, well I showed off a little too much. I hope whomever found my engagement ring is enjoying it. The CPAP use itself won't change your weight, but combined with a healthy diet, you may see results a little easier than before, since you will have more energy & that extra energy can be channeled into more exercise.

Anyway, just wanted to welcome you & say you are doing great in educating yourself on your OSA. I hope the CPAP use brings positive changes in your life. The best source of CPAP info I've ever found is this forum. Keep coming back & you will learn lots that can help you. Have questions? Post them & you will get help from some of the awesome folks here.
Jen

[2 B Sleeping Soundly]

msvaleriah,

Welcome to our little hose head world. I enjoyed your post and the very evident enthusiasm you have shown in the words that you shared. Your desire to improve your health through PAP therapy and lifestyle changes, not to mention wanting to help others as well, will make you a good fit on this forum .

John

[caffeinatedcfo]

Be well you have the right mind-set to succeed!

[ArmandXP]

Great post and I'm sure you are going to do great! I've told myself that, and two days in, I'm so happy! I too, have gained a lot of weight in the last couple years, and I'm hoping my energy level returns so I can get to exercising again. I've set that goal for myself, that in two weeks I'm back to walking as soon as I get home from work, and then riding my bike again. The thought of losing weight, helps keep me motivated and the feeling of being rested the next morning is amazing!

[bevjok]

Good to read your post. I also have struggled with weight for many years and about 3 years ago decided I'd had enough. I started eating healty and exercising regularly and have lost over 100 pounds. My Dr's have been very happy with this.I would like to lose 20 more, but I'm really ok where I'm at. How you feel is more important than numbers. I'm new to the cpap and only been on the maching for 4 nights.I have accepted this is something I must do and am determined to be successful. I haven't had to best of nights so far, but they will get better! Good luck with you journed to weight loss and I will pray for your success.

[JohnO]

Welcome! I'm glad to hear you are off to a good start. Your health goals are impressive! It makes my wimpy goal of trying to lose 10 pounds seem incredibly small.

John