dragonfly3
Well, I have been overweight since I can remember. My mother would tell you I started gaining weight when I started eating school lunches however, my real problem started when my parents divorced. I was in the 5th grade and that is when I started emotionally eating. My weight began to climb and by the time I was in high school I was around 220 lbs. Alot for a 5'6" frame! trying different fad diets I was able to get down to 180 by the time I graduated. I struggled with being self-conscious and shy. Teased by the "popular kids", to clumsy to participate in sports, and too "square" for the cool kids...I never really felt like I belonged.
Moving forward, I gained almost 80 lbs with my first child (I really took eating for 2 seriously!!) and only lost some of it. by the time I had my third child I was close to 250! I was still fairly active and my labwork was always good at the doctor so I was never really scolded about losing weight. When I lost my son in 1992, I really started packing on the weight. I had a sedentary job, and was emotionally eating my way through life. I was a single parent at this point and trying to keep it together for my girls.
My weight flirted with 300 for several years before toppling it about 8 years ago. I tried weight watchers at that point and was able to lose about 45 pounds and felt fantastic but life happens and I gained that plus a little more back. the past couple years I tried a walking program and a monitored program through my employer, neither yeilded good results. I tried weight watchers again this summer with the idea that it had worked for me in the past but this time I only lost 1 lb!
I never thought I would be here or be contemplating weight loss surgery but I realized something this year when i saw pics of me at my daughter's graduation. holy cow what happened to me! How I feel on the inside is definately not what people see on the outside and seeing others going thru the surgeries and moving forward with their lives while I tried one diet program after another with no results. I was spinning my wheels and getting nowhere! I was at 324 lbs when I had my first appt with GHP in September. Couldn't believe it! I am so fortunate not to have diabetes, high cholesterol, high bp, etc. but i know I am on a collision course if I don't do something. I now have a 3 years old granddaughter that I want to be able to run and keep up with.
So, here I am. I realized I can't do this myself. My kids are now grown, it's time for me to concentrate on me! I am hoping this is the tool I need to help me stay focused and healthy. I am thankful to have positive people around me to share in my journey! I am so ready to get my skinny on!!!
