Leza F.
Not sure where to start. I didn't start getting heavy until I hit puberty. After the stillbirth of my first child in 1997, I ballooned up from 175 pounds to just over 300 pounds. I was diagnosed with early type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance in November 2004. The doc put me on Metformin, Wellbutrin and Lexapro and I immediately dropped 80 pounds. I got pregnant with twins in December 2005, only gaining about 18 pounds (and nearly 13 of that was baby). I left the hospital under 200 pounds!
The lower weight didn't last long. I immediately started ballooning up again and in January 2008, I went into the Health Risk Management weigh loss program through my (then) employer. I lost abouty 20 pounds, but had to stop b/c I couldn't afford the program any longer. I was about 211 at that point.
I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 2002 and still struggle with chronic pain, memory and sleep issues. Single-handedly parenting 3 year old twins is a challenge to say the least. This past summer (2009) was a tough one because of the awful heat and humidity that hit us in the Austin area that year. It caused my fibro to flare up like it never had and I was put on a bunch of steroids whic hmade me balloon up even more. I was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis and PCOS in the Fall of 2009 and given a disabled placard and told to "keep excercising". Hmph. Well, easier said than done. I can't even chase after my 3 year old when she decides to break loose and run out in the street. By December 2009, I am up to 260 pounds.
Now it is 2010 and time for a change. I recently lost my job of over 3 years because my daughters were constantly sick, causing me to miss way more work than I had ever anticipated. Sucks, but happened for a reason. I am focusing now on our health and my education. I am a full time student at Community College of Denver, finishing up my science requirements for the RN program and plan to apply next year for Fall semester.
I have started on the journey for weight loss surgery. I have a consultation with Dr. Metz in early October and plan to have surgery in mid-December so I can ring in the new year with a new life for us!
I am the mother of two beautiful little girls...what kind of example am I setting for them?
