JulieRNnewlife
I was never overweight growing up. After I had my first child 22 years ago I began my journey with excess weight. I thought I could eat anything I wanted while pregnant....NOT. I gained 50 punds during that pregnancy and found how good food can make you feel. I also LOVED food. I love the taste and satisfaction from it. I continued to gained weight steadily, having three more children.
At first, I told myself I would never get above 200 pounds. I would get serious about losing weight if I ever reached that weight. That came and went. I continued to set higher and higher "top weights I would ever let myself get to." I am now at my top weight of 270.
I have been thinking of surgery for many years. At first, it was not offered in my area when I began checking it out many years ago. I consulted with a doctor in Grand Rapids, about an hour away. I lost my insurance and then in 2002 I suffered from a bilateral pulmonary embolism (blood clot in both of my lungs at the same time). I was too scared to have the surgery then. It wasn't worth losing my life when I have such a beautiful family who needed me.
I now have high blood pressure, sleep apnea, high cholesterol and my knees, back and hips are frequently sore.
I am a registered nurse and work at a retirement community. I am a Wellness Director and oversee the medical aspects of the lives of over 200 residents in independent living as well as assisted living. I am very lucky to work with the best staff ever, but my job is very time consuming and stressful. I feel like I am setting a poor example of health for my friends, family, staff and family.
I am finding myself withdrawing from family events and social gatherings because I am embarrassed with the way I look.
In my summers I work as a Nurse Manager for Sherman Lake YMCA. It is great fun, but again, I feel like I am supposed to be setting an example of health and I am not.
For a hobby, myself and my entire family we participate in dog sledding. We own and race 15 huskies. We race all over Michigan. I think my dog team would very much appreciate me losing weight
