Francie
My Story? I am not sure what "my story" is! I am a 45 yrs. young (46 in February '07), Hispanic female (Mexican decent), married for 23 yrs. (24 if i make it until 07/'07), been blessed with four wonderful children - ages 11, 14, 17, 19; eldest is a boy and three girls. In my late teens my mother developed diabetes. We didn't grow up on sweets, sodas, desserts, foods like that so I don't really recall being overweight as a young girl. It wasn't until after the birth of my first child in 1988 that I gained weight and never lost it. I tease my children that they are each responsible for about 30 lbs. of my overweight....I know in fact that isn't true but it makes them laugh. As we all know our metabalism changes as we get older - although not an excuse to overeat, I was no longer able to exercise off the excess weight/fat. My knees are suffereing; already had two knee operations, I have sleep apnea, and I don't see any of those conditions getting any better unless I loose weight. With the support of my family I am going to have the bypass surgery. My only real challenge is trying to figure out the new lifestyle eating schedule. Thank God I have very bright children who are reading and figuring out all of the informaiton with me. My doctor also offers a very informative pre-op class and also after-care nutritionalist for patients. I have chosen not to inform my extended family of my decision. One of my desires is to become healthy and then surprise them next year when I go down South (San Diego) to visit. That idea alone is a great motivator. I look forward to feeling good, looking good, and being more physically active with my family again. I am sure there will be other challenges in healing, however with the help of my online buddies and angel (which I hope to get) and by the grace of God I believe all will work out great. Well, I guess I did have a bit of a story....
