Starting Zerona (with before photos- maybe NOT work friendly!)

I have officially been fat for 7 years now. I never really struggled with my weight until sometime in 2007 when I became so ill I was basically bedridden for almost 3 months. At the time I was relatively active and didn't need to do anything more than walk a few miles 3 times a week to keep up a size 6/8 figure. Sure, I could have lost another 10 pounds to REALLY be in my prime zone, but that illness hit and I was down- and the decline just came so easily.

Fast forward to now where I am a size 16/18, weigh in at 199 and have an enormous stomach and breasts. I am planning on having my breasts reduced because the weigh-down is killing my shoulders and the spot on my back right between my shoulder blades. I am strong, I am pretty healthy, but I am fat and trying to lose this weight has been a year-long battle.

Also, I have had type I diabetes for over 31 years.

Approximately a year ago I made an amazing discovery called The Perfect Workout. I was trying to figure out what was wrong with my lower legs and could find no answer other than I had become so fat they couldn't move me very far without my resting for short periods. Add to that my lower back and core being ridiculously weak I couldn't even do a sink of dishes without being in agony half way through and I was ready for some help. Somehow I fell across an add for TPW and called immediately to see what they could do for me. Slowly but surely my strength came back and I could stand for longer and longer periods of time. I was able to get on the treadmill and go first a half mile then a mile and more without stopping (previous to the workouts I had to stop every quarter mile or less to wait for the severe lower leg cramping to ease up so I would be able to walk again). Doing the dishes and vacuuming became easier and easier. I went to TPW 2 times / week for 6 months, then eased back for my budget's sake to once / week. I have now signed up for my third 6 month package and don't see any reason to really ever stop for as long as I can afford to keep doing it.

This has helped tremendously in giving me great strength and endurance however my weight has changed very little- really I've only lost about 12 pounds since starting with them. I recognize my diet isn't as solid as it could be and I had a terrible red wine habit, so in prep for my breast reduction I decided to look into maybe some lipo, but that seemed rather drastic. Out of nowhere I happened across a commercial for Zerona. It looked too good to be true but I decided to check into it anyway. It isn't like I have an extra $3k sitting around waiting for me to throw it away, but then, what if? I looked it up and so far I have seen about a 60/40 split in percentage of those who have tried it with 60% being dissatisfied but 40% being happy. Out of those who have had good results I noticed they were all a little on the heavier side. Those who are already a size 6 looking to be a size 2? You probably aren't going to get the same results as someone like me, and this only took me a few minutes to figure out.

The doctor confirmed I was on the very tip top of their approval scale, which probably meant I was way over it but she would check my blood results and decide from there. Things turned out well so I started on the Curva and a detox-type diet for the week preceding my first treatment. The detox diet was simply a suggestion from the lovely woman I would be meeting with 3 x's a week for the next few weeks but it was great for me: a smoothie made with protien powder, almond milk and some frozen berries for breakfast, some almonds and a small piece of fruit for snack (as I write this I have finished my snack almonds and am noshing on an asian pear) , a raw veggie lunch (I just did spinach, that cole slaw salad sold in the produce section, cucumber, tomatoes, mushrooms and maybe red onion if I had some around with some oil and vinegar), another almond/fruit snack before dinner and maybe chicken or fish but preferably tofu or more veggies for dinner and then a pre-bedtime snack of some oatmeal or something. So, basically no caffiene and no alcohol and cut out as much fat as possible.

On day two of Curva my stomach had a bad reaction to, I believe, the niacin and I was in the bathroom almost allll day long with terrible diarrhea but after that day? Not much to report outside of the occasional bout of heartburn. I do not experience the flushing they say you may have in taking such doses of the stuff, so I count myself lucky there as I HATE that feeling.

Yesterday I went in for my very first Zerona treatment. I chose the 12 sessions for $1800 and am hopeful that this will sincerely kick-start something very positive for myself and anyone who comes across this blog. I opted not to have my pics taken, just measurements. I will post those at a later date but have my own before pics that I will post at the bottom of this so you can see where I am starting. I know my chest measured at around 39" and my waist was at about 44". My right thigh was 25 1/2" and my left one was a full inch smaller: 24 1/2". I'm pretty sure my hips measured at the same as my waist or around there... and like I said, I weigh in at 199 right now. HOWEVER! Zerona is very clear this is NOT a 'weight loss' program it is an 'inches lost' program, but for those of us who have been indulging in a few too many hamburgers, burritos and ribs can most definitely lose some weight following what they call the "Protocal" required with the treatments. Essentially, you have to cut out all alcohol and caffeine and only eat healthy fats and complex carbs, drink half your weight in water/day AND get at least 30 minutes of exercise a day. ANYONE following that is bound to lose a little weight, if not a lot.

I was surprised at how easy itw as for me to cut out alcohol (I was a 3 glasses-to-one-bottle-a-night girl, folks) and caffeine as well. I already drink a TON of water so that was easy. I don't know if it is the motivation of hoping this works but I have had no trouble getting on the treadmill for 50 minutes a day (that's what it takes me to walk 3 miles) whereas I was being a good girls if I did it 2 to 3 times/week before this.

CLEARLY making some lifestyle changes is what is paramount to this laser working. I can't say what will happen to me through this month-long journey but I am crossing my fingers it is better than nothing. They 'guarantee' 3 inches lost if you do everything by the book and I am happy to say I have no reason NOT to. My particular doctor found that the 4th week is when the results REALLY are apparent so I will have to be patient I suppose.