Tallmama
I have gained and lost large amounts of weight for the past 18 years. I was not an overweight child or teen. In fact, I was too skinny and could eat like my football playing brothers and never gain an ounce! But, alas, eventually there comes a time when we aren't exercising 3 times a day or playing sports! I have always been a "big eater" with a healthy appetite. My mom and dad were both overweight, as was my grandma and her mother, too. My parents both have type 2 diabetes and my mom suffers tremendously from the effects of obesity. I have watched her turn into an "old lady" well before she should, and I cannot bear the thought of feeling as old as I do now for the rest of my life. She and I were in a terrible car accident when I was pregnant with my husband and my first baby. Mom and I both had terrible injuries, and sadly our son did not survive. I piled on the pounds after that. I have been able to lose some here and there after the birth of our daughter and a little bit after my son was born, but I have never been in shape again. I look at this surgery as a tool to use for the rest of my life. I am hoping that my children will witness the change in lifestyle and will want that for themselves, so that they do not make the same mistakes I have. I pray that my husband will begin to make healthier decisions for himself as well. So here I am, at the beginning...
