Who's with me?

Over the past year and a half, I managed to gain 15 pounds and get as out of shape as I could possibly get. Granted, a large factor was my heart issues. The other factor was how I dealt with all the issues in my life: eating- poorly I might add. I should know better! How many hours have I spent on a treadmill? An agonizing half hour in which I'm huffing and puffing burns off maybe one cupcake. Somehow, when I'm recovered from my workout, I'd quickly downplay the agony of the gym. I'm not proud that I have bouts in which I'm a ravenous hog. I guess it could be worse. Some people deal with stress in other ways: they smoke, drink or pop pills. Thankfully my metabolism is decent enough. And thankfully I have enough vanity and sense to know it's mind over Cheetos. We all use food as a crutch, a pacifier, a way to pass the time. We really don't need all the crap we eat, so we should stop lying to ourselves!
Even when my heart was having issues and my right ventricle wasn't fully functioning, I worked out. Imagine taking a 3 mile walk- through water. That's what it felt like. My arms and legs felt as heavy as lead! I still did it, and I didn't die. As a matter of fact, it's why I bounced back so quickly in ICU after my surgery. If I can do it, anyone can do it! I don't let myself get away with a pity party for too long and nobody else should. I might add that I have several CHD friends who have either had a heart transplant, are awaiting a heart transplant, have a pacemaker or have some sort of heart failure that require taking a lot of meds. Guess what? They get out and exercise just about every day!
Ultimately, it's a choice. Sure, genetics play a small factor and certain health conditions, but that's only to a point. When I don't like how I look, I know it's was mainly my choice to eat unhealthy.
Recovery from surgery is no easy task. Something about facing death that makes you want to take care of yourself. I've been walking and doing light weights for 45-60 minutes a day. Sometimes I wake up tired and remain that way all day. I know it will pass and by the first day of summer, I want to be close to my goals.
I'm just as human as the next person, but I can't sympathize with those who go on and on about being unhappy with their weight if they don't even try.
I'm determined to get out of my bad habits and make the changes I want to see. I know how it's done. We all know how it's done! Who's with me? Oh, and as I write this, I'd like a cupcake. But tonight the cupcake loses!