Littlebitsworld

Having been overweight all of my life, it has been a neverending struggle for me. I was the one in the "husky' toughskins jeans when I was a kid (remember those?). I watched "Charlie's Angels' and would die for Farrah's hair and body. I danced on Saturday afternoon to the sounds of Soul Train and a local show in Philadelphia on weekday afternoons called "Dancin' USA". I wanted to be in the 'in' crowd. I was friends with someone from each group at school, so I wasn't shunned by any means. But I never really felt like everyone else. I was always very conscience of my size.

My father passed away shortly after my 18th birthday - from a massive heart attack. I watched him kill himself slowly every day. He loved food. I am not like that I dont live for food, although I do allow it to comfort me. I get so easily frustrated knowing that I didnt want to end up like my dad.

As the years passed, I got bigger and bigger. Thank goodness I only had one child. I gained about 60 pounds when I was pregnant and lost most of it soon after (goodness I was a young mother - 20 yrs old). I worked out here and there, I tried to be conscience of what I was eating. I am definitely an emotional eater. With stress as a single parent, working, going to school and just trying to make ends meet -- I packed on the pounds. Unfortunately, I never really had anyone 'guide' me about health and nutrition - other than what I read online or in a magazine. I have always felt like I just stumble through life and things work out as they should.

In September of 2007, I moved from the Midwest to New England (I had gotten engaged in March of 2007 and my fiance lived in New England). Starting a new life (finally found someone who loves me for me and wasnt going to use me for whatever needs they had), I quit smoking - FINALLY! I am happy to report I am smoke free as of March 18, 2008! Shortly after I quit (within 2 wks) I was feeling awful. I mean down right not able to function properly. It took everything that I had to get through my days. I went from specialist to specialist trying to find out the cause of my pain, symptoms, etc. I was finally diagnosed --- after being rushed to the ER with chest pain -- [url="http://www.celiaccentral.org/Celiac-Disease/21/"]Celiac Disease[/url].

Once I finally got my CD under control (only can be controlled with diet - there is no magic pill), I was able to really focus on my diet. I figured I would lose weight because I was eating the healthiest I ever have. It never happened. One of the misconceptions about a Gluten Free diet is, it isn't a diet for one and two, they typically are higher in fat, calories and carbs. [ I can't eat pastas, breads, cakes, cookies -- unless they are gluten free; plain foods, as I also have other food allergies].

Starting to read EVERYTHING that I bought, I learned to watch all of the numbers. Still no weight loss - in the matter of 2 years - I lost a total of 8 pounds. This is with a clean, healthy, diet - exercise 4-5 days a week @ least 90 mins each day. I was so discouraged. I was working so hard and getting nowhere. My husband was encouraging me and exercising with me, he lost (of course) 35 pounds!!!! I was not happy.

I started to read everything about weight loss surgery. I even spoke to a plastic surgeon and talked about lipo. I decided that lipo just isnt worth the risk and if there is an underlying problem this wouldnt solve it. I spoke with the surgeon about the Lap Band - started the process and was going to go to the mandatory classes (four of them). Then I saw my endocrinologist again, as I wanted to accomplish this goal without surgery, if I could. I asked him to again check my thyroid, test me for PCOS, etc. I knew there had to be something MEDICALLY wrong because everything I was trying was NOT working, AT ALL!

The Clinic I go to had just started a new program - non-surgerical weight loss program. I thought it was worth a try. I went to the first meeting (which was in a group) to learn the basics of the program and to get approval for insurance. I see the doctor every four weeks and on the bi-week (every four weeks) I see the nutrionist. I am weighed in, we discussed any roadblocks or issues or concerns. I was finally tested for metabolic syndrome (insulin resistant). My doctor put me on 500 mg of Metformin. I was on that for about 2 months. I did well, but not well enough. I am expected to lose btwn 2-4# of fat every two weeks. Since I started the program in October 2011 - I have lost 23#. About 2 months ago my Metformin was raised to 850mg, and I was also put on an appetite suppressant - Phentermine (slow release). I just had a weigh in last week (the prior two weeks nothing changed; I didnt gain anytthing, but I lost nothing) and we discussed my meds - I am now taking the Phentermine before breakfast and also taking 850mg of Metformin TWICE a day now (originally only at dinner time). I am going to try this for another two months and see where it gets me.

I am still looking at the Lap Band, as I believe it will be the best tool for me. I will be looking to do this in late December, as we get the week of Christmas off of work and I wouldnt need to use any vacation time. Selfish on my part, but I also feel I dont have to let EVERYONE at work know that I am having surgery.