I was always the fat kid growing up - the funny, chunky girl that would be so "pretty if she lost some weight". I was fat all through school and into college. Despite my weight issues I found a man that loved me just the way I was. We got married and had a baby. After my son was born I REALLY put on the weight. I ballooned to 300 pounds and my weight problem went from being uncomfortable to down right dangerous. I developed sleep apnea and was put on oxygen at night. I also developed arthritis in my knees, hips, and ankles. My lower body was literally being broken down by carrying so much weight. I decided I needed help. Not a fad diet or pill, REAL help. That is when I looked into bariatric surgery and Metabolix.

I met a surgeon and went on a 2 month workout/nutrition program and lost 30 pounds before having gastric bypass surgery on 8/19/08. Within a year I had lost 125 pounds. At 2 years post op I had a tummy tuck to remove over 12 pounds of skin (and got me some new boobies, too). Today I am down 152 pounds. I am a new person. Don't get me wrong, I still LOVE to eat, it's just that I have learned how to eat to live. Healthy foods can still taste awesome and exercise can be fun!

I'm not going to lie, I have my moments of regression. I still like a little chocolate now and then. I still have days I sit on the couch and don't get my lazy butt to the gym, but I remember I have come too far to look back and I am still a work in progress...