Beth M.
Hello Friends (and Friends to-be!) 
I've been overweight since childhood. My family is overweight. My extended family is primarily overweight. Genetics (and being fat) SUCKS!
I dealt with the normal about of name-calling growing up but it didn't stop me from being out-going and a bit of a smart ass. I've always been active and healthy and while I've tried Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers and a few crazy diets, nothing worked long-term. In the last 5 years "things" have come up... a bad knee, work that had me sitting at a desk in front of a computer for what feels like days on end (I have an internet business) and the passing of my husband. I have become less and less active which has resulted in more weight, less energy, high blood pressure, pre-diabetic status and and bad hips (in addition to the knees).
I've thought about WLS for MANY years and when I found out that Kaiser would cover it I got so excited. As you may have read in my blog, I started this WLS journey in 2006 and I was SO excited... and encouraged... and even started off great, losing 22 of the 35 lbs. needed to schedule surgery.
So what stopped me? Well, I can blame part of it on a romance-go-wrong (won't bore you with the ugly details) but the truth be told, I just stopped caring about myself. I have 2 great kids who get all my love and attention (team parent for all sports teams, volunteer in their classrooms, etc.), I'm a care-giver for my Mom, I am called upon by family and friends for support and other misc. requests... and I'm HAPPY to do all those things. But what's missing? ME!
So here I am... once again pretty darn close to WLS (have 15 lbs to go) and I just can't seem to get it together (as I'm sitting here eating Dark Chocolate Chex Mix). I KNOW what to do... I just choose not to. What's up with that?
I am here for support... and to support and encourage others... to learn from those who have succeeded (as well as those who are struggling).
I'm here if you need me!
Good luck to ALL OF US!
