Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Major Roadblock

My blog has been silent the past couple days due to some jarring news about our adoption endeavors. The agency informed us that in order to become eligible to adopt from Korea, both of us need to have a BMI (Body Mass Index) of less than 30. Anyone who has seen me IRL (In Real Life) would realize that my husband and I do not meet that requirement. So we have to lose about 35 lbs each in order to qualify. That means no home study or paperwork until this goal is met.

The news fell like a ton of bricks. To feel the surge of starting the process only to hit a roadblock-- especially after our many infertility medical experiences-- was incredibly frustrating. It didn't help that last night I sang at a children's holy hour. Just watching all of those precious children made my heart break.

The good part, however, is the weight loss will be good for overall health. My husband and I have always wanted to shed pounds; our child definitely gives us a hard & fast reason to tackle our goals ASAP. So I'm shooting for the end of November, at least to get our home study in before December. Several kind friends have offered dieting tips and I plan to seek the aid of the local hospital's nutrition center. And yes, I have asked for Divine Help to help my cravings for sweets & carbs.

Once again, infertility takes us on another twisty path. Hopefully we'll make it unscathed and thin. :) Oh, please pray for the SHE group meeting on Saturday; our attendance has been low.

10 comments:

Maureen said...

You will succeed!

Anonymous said...

oh goodness, that sounds hard! But I think you will do great! One thing I have noticed about sugar and carb cravings is that there is nothing that makes me crave sugar like ... sugar! I love sweets. When I give them up for Lent it is always SO HARD at first. But then after a couple of weeks, I don't crave them at all anymore! So I think it will get easier!

Percolating Petals said...

Thanks!! Yeah, I told Mark that it's a pity we didn't get this news during Lent.

prayerfuljourney said...

Sometimes I losing weight is easier when there is a definite goal to reach in mind. When I was getting married, I was going to fit into my dress comfortably no matter what so I had a good reason to watch what I ate and stay as thin as possible for a year. It worked! Sounds like you and your husband have a very good reason and it will benefit your health too. Good luck with it all. :)

Also, walking about 4 or 5 days a week helped me maintain my goal weight. I never lose weight without the dreaded "E" word. Taking IF meds makes finding the energy for "E" extra tough.

Anonymous said...

I'm on board, Kristy! I'll make the commitment with you and Mark--maybe we can even drag Uncle Kev, too:)

My problem is also the sweets and carbs. Surely two intelligent women like us can figure out a way to do this! You now have a beautiful reason to stay completely focused on your healthy goals.

I'm back to Weight Watchers tonight, after six weeks of life getting in the way. Finding some kind of program like WW, or through the hospital's nutrition center will definitely help, especially with meal planning. (Here's my helpful hint--chocolate in any form just should not be in the house. That way, if you're craving it, you have to work to get it. And Mark cannot give in and get it for you, like Kevin sometimes does!!)

Let's keep in touch about this. Maybe we can exchange weekly goals, recipes, etc.?

I know you and Mark will be successful at this!!!

Amy @ This Cross I Embrace said...

I'll pray for your meeting attendance if you pray for mine!

I know exactly what you mean about feeling the surge of getting moving with adoption and then hitting a road block. It is the PITS! But as you said, this will be a good thing in the long run, PLUS, maybe the weight loss with help both of you with fertility, too! It's a win-win!

I know Korea and China are particularly anal about their requirements... lol, for lack of a better word! I saw Adoption Stories once where a couple was denied adopting from China because the DH was in a wheelchair (an aneurysm that was caught right before it ruptured, but surgery cut off blood flow to the lower extremities for too long).
Anyway, it was outrageous because the couple was SO active and fit in every way. And the DH could still do everything the DW could do, except walk/run.
This was one of the reasons I thought going domestic would be a bit easier for us, but once we get back into the Home Study process, we may look into international as well.

E said...

That stinks! This is one of the reasons we weren't lead to international adoption.

I really like South Beach for weight loss...

Percolating Petals said...

More great tips!! Thanks again! Aunt Mary, we will definitely need to exchange recipes & goals. I appreciate your support.

For the record, Korea is the only country that requires a BMI of less than 30. China's requirement is a bit better, but I don't have the exact number.

Living Advent said...

I'm sorry about your roadblock. I was there but the timing was different. I was morbidly obese when we got married and after a few months started looking at all the criteria for the different international adoption programs. When I saw the BMI requirements, I computed mine and cried. I really got how much my weight was not only affecting my fertility and my ability to be a mom, but also that it was shortening my life with my amazing husband who I prayed for for so long. So then I joined The Light Weigh and am now about 80lbs lighter and about 14 lbs away from "normal" weight. The great thing about The Light Weigh is that you can still have all of your favorite foods, just more according to God's plan. I'm keeping you in my prayers.

Grace in my Heart said...

Praying...praying...praying! You guys can do it! :)

I'm so excited you are beginning the adoption process.

Best wishes for a great school year!