Mary M.
As a little girl, I was the apple of my dad's eye. First daughter in the family and got lots of my self-worth being Mom's little helper. I had five siblings, and growing up it was a busy household. Mom was a good cook, and overweight. Dad was overweight too. As I got into school, I started being chubby. Always had friends and was active, but definitely chubby. We had to buy my clothes on the special rack that was pretty spendy, in a family that wasn't wealthy.
As I got older, Mom was always telling me to "put down that book and go out and play" - I was a bookworm. Still had friends and such, but preferred sedentary activiities for the most part. I never had boyfriends and in high school that continued. Mom took me to TOPS (Take off Pounds Sensibly) with her and I later joined Weight Watchers. But I would lose weight and gain it, with more added on.
After college, I moved to the city and went to work, I went with a couple of different guys for periods of time, but never married. I worked, finished graduate school, and had good jobs. I always felt I had to do better than anyone else to make up for my weight! In the mid-1990s I met the love of my life and married him We both struggle with weight issues and can be good or bad for each other. (Diet pals/eating buddies.) We are both committed to and working toward the WLS.
At my highest weight, life is miserable. I can't do every day things I want - too worried if I'll "fit" in certain situations, or about comfort. We even bought a third airline ticket for the two of us on our last trip! I'm tired of the inconveniences, career sacrifices, and clothes issues. But as I age (I'm 57), it's the health issues that have pushed me to do something. I had a total knee replacement and it wasn't easy. The other one may be needing it too. Everything is more difficult with the added weight, from the procedures and treatments, to the accommodations necessary. It is just not worth it!
I'm scared and excited about this journey.
