Gail Engebretson
I spent my whole life fighting my weight. Chubby little girls, fat teenager and obese adult. I finally got fed up when I reached 327 lbs at the age of 52 and decided to take a more "drastic" route of gastric bypass. I had my surgery in March 2004 and in 18 months lost 170 lbs. I had several surgeries to remove excess skin and had a whole new life. The changes have been amazing and I love my new life. It's been 13 years now and I've learned a lot along the way. I chronicled my journey in a women's magazine called "Anew" (now defunct). I then took those articles which I wrote every month for 18 months and put them into a book - Fat No More - Long Term Success Following Weight Loss Surgery. I've had my struggles - no doubt about that! I still have my days and weeks where things are tough. I've always used food to handle stress and unwanted emotions. I'm still learning how to not do that but have continued to make progress. In the process of me changing my relationship with my husband changed and we went our separate ways 4 years after the surgery. I am now in a loving and supportive relationship that is fabulous. I try to surround myself with positive people which helps a lot. My eating has changed incredibly. No more sugar, no wheat and low on other grains, mostly organic, grass fed and range free. I had a pretty vigorous exercise program but have had to go a little more moderate as I deal with Lyme Disease. But I've managed to keep the weight off through all of this. One thing that has kept me on track through everything is to continue to follow the Rules of the Pouch!
