dragonlady64
I'm sure my story's no different than most. I actually didn't have a weight problem as a kid. I was skinny and never had to watch what I ate. So, all through my teens I just ate what I wanted to eat when I wanted to eat without regard to nutritional content. I managed to stay small through my early 20's because I was in the military. Even after my first daughter was born, I got right back down because of the military's requirements.
However, after my 2nd daughter was born, and I was no longer in the service, my life long bad habits caught up with me. The weight didn't just "FALL OFF" like it had after the 1st child. That was the first time I dieted in my life and I lost the weight within 5 months (probably because dieting was a new thing and I hadn't been discouraged by them yet!)
Well, about a year after that, I started putting it back on and more. I've been dieting off and on ever since... for about 20 years. Needless to say, as most of you know, this kind of dieting has had a yo-yo affect, and now I am at the highest weight I've ever been, don't have diabetes (yet), but have Sleep Apnea, High blood pressure, asthma (most likely caused or aggravated by the GERD that I've had for years).
Some co-workers say "Just exercise more". If I could I would! I at least try to walk everyday.
I've noticed a stigma attached to the surgery. People think it's a shortcut or a way of cheating to lose weight. If anyone has read about life after surgery, they know that this is probably a much bigger commitment than any fly-by-night diet that any of us have ever been on. I'm committed to that life-long change for the sake of my health and so that I can live a fuller life with my husband and loved ones!
