Dr. Jack: I liked the old Chris, but I really like this Chris.
Me: (thinking…..) Me, too!!!!!!
If someone had told me a year ago how different my life would be right now, I would have laughed at them. There would be no way that I would be this healthy…. no way that I would have lost the weight I did. There would be no way that I would have found Dr. Jack, no way I would have had the courage to work with him; no way I would be writing my own blog; no way I would start a Facebook group… just no way…. If someone had told me then that this whole journey would change me so much, I would have laughed. I believed nothing would ever change how things were, but I would have been so totally wrong.
Tuesday, I was talking to Dr. Jack on the phone, discussing what I am doing right now and my progress, which is amazing. He refuses to take any credit for any of my success except to say that he provided me with an education and then it was all what I did with it. And although that might be partially true, it is not completely accurate.
Working with Dr. Jack changes you. He doesn’t think so but on that point, he is the one who is wrong. It is partially about education, but it is also about what he instills in you, and you can’t get that from a book or a computer program. Every time he talks you or you hear him through his live seminars or his online webinars, you start believing that what you thought was impossible, is actually something you can do. You stop believing “can’t” and become a proponent of “can.” You stop thinking of your self as limiting and start thinking there is nothing you cannot achieve. You stop looking at hiccups in the road as failures and instead, get up, clean up, and move on. He changes you, whether he thinks he does or not.
Besides the education he has given me, there have been other changes going on, inside, not just physically but mentally. When you have Hashimoto’s and you have it bad, that whole brain fog issue that is always discussed is one of the most awful symptoms. It is hard to describe to people, but you cannot stay mentally focused on tasks, and you always feel like someone who is getting sleepy.
I used to start about ten tasks, work on one, switch, work on another, switch, and would take a long time to finish any one thing. You push yourself harder and harder to complete tasks, but the frustration and lack of concentration gets to you. Now, my really good friends would tell you, that they never realized I had that. And that was because I was an expert at hiding it.
As Dr. Jack helped to make me healthier, that fog all cleared. It got easier and quicker to finish things. But other things changed, too. I started believing…… He kept telling me to just keep pushing on. Don’t stop, just keep moving. My mind got healthier along with the rest of me. And all of a sudden, I started noticing that all that I have accomplished started making me look at myself differently. I used to be one of those people that apologized for living. You know those people, “Oh the sun isn’t out today? That must be my fault, I am sorry.”
Lately, that has all changed for me. I realize that I am important And I have to take really great care of me first and then it is a lot easier to do for others. All that knowledge has made me…. hmmmm… what’s the word??? Fiesty!!!! Determined!!!!! Outspoken!!!! BOLD!!!!! And you know what?? That feels…hmmm……GOOD!!! I had no idea how good those would feel, nor the power that they would make me feel.
I was teasing Dr. Jack that he has pushed me out of my shell. And he may have to push me back in some. One of my coworkers always tells me that I am getting feisty. “What is this doctor doing to you? ” I told Dr. Jack and we laughed about it and he told me that all he did was provide me with education. But truly?? Health education and successful weight loss along with inner healing of my body and mind, has totally changed me. His spirit of enthusiasm is totally contagious.
All of that has brought a kind of peace I never could have imagined. All these symptoms, all this garbage that people dumped on me about it being my fault, all of it has gone. I feel empowered to stand up for myself and to help others to understand, “Guess what?? It ISN’T you either!”
Old Chris was always sweet and people pleasing. New Chris? Still sweet, I don’t ever want to lose my kindness for others, but neither am I getting stepped on anymore. Great listener, but now I express my opinion freely, which you are free to disagree with.
Old Chris would take any criticism from others, whether it was deserved or not and accept it. New Chris? I am always open to constructive criticism but don’t expect me to agree with all of it, and I will choose only to take on the parts that I believe are in my best interests.
Old Chris saw limitations. New Chris? Sees a world of possibility!
Old Chris took care of everyone else first. New Chris? Takes care of herself first (unless it is my children, obviously) and then everyone else.
Old Chris listened to people tell me all kinds of bad things about myself. New Chris? I don’t think so.
Dr. Jack made me laugh…. he asked me if I have any Italian in me. I told him my mom was Italian and my father Hungarian. Believe me that wild, feisty bold streak? I come by it naturally and it got a little hidden by cobwebs of Hashimoto symptoms. But stand back…… because I got rid of all those cobwebs!!!
Look out world……. You counted me out way too soon, I just got started!!!!