Kyrie15

I am a 30 year old mother of two very active little boys.

My weight issues began my freshman year of college. In high school, I was very active with show choir and work that I could eat anything and not gain weight. By no means was I "skinny", but I sat at a size 12 and 150 lbs. By college, I moved away from home with my boyfriend (now husband) and my friends. In a new town and at a new school, I wasn't as active as I had been. I was lucky enough to save enough money from my jobs that I was able to just focus on school. So, there is where my un-active life began. I was nominated the apartment cook, mainly because I LOVED to cook and I was good at it, but that didn't help with my "freshmen 15", instead it was a freshman 30.

By the time I got married, I was a size 14 and about 175 lbs. My husband, who I had been with since the summer before out senior year, seemed not to notice (or at least not comment) on my weight gain. I guess when it is so gradual, you don't realize how much you have changed.

I found out I was pregnant with my first son about a year into marriage and I literally took the phrase "eating for two" to a whole different level. At delivery, I was a size 18 and 210 lbs. I kept telling myself that tomorrow I would make a change, that tomorrow I would go to the gym. Every excuse under the sun, I had and I used.

When my oldest son was 3, I found out I was pregnant with my youngest son. I tried to be better during this pregnancy, but kept gaining. At delivery with him, I was easily a size 22 and 250 lbs.

At that point I started to take my weight seriously. I was 26 with two handfuls worth of medical problems. I started working out and eating right. But yet, I kept ballooning up. At my heaviest, 2 years ago, I was 271 lbs and I couldn't even tell you what size I was in pants, I just knew the lane bryant sizes.

I should say that I haven't really been a "bad food" eater, I just didn't eat in moderation. I love fruits and veggies, and I LOVE red meat. I gave up soda and candy numerous times (for years at a time) and didn't even think twice about it.

So here I am, years of yoyo dieting, phentermine use, new exercise routines, etc. I am happy to have been banded, and I am excited to have my first fill next week. I feel like I am finally doing something for myself and I am scared, nervous, excited, happy, and all sorts of other emotions about it! I love my boys, and I want to be the best mommy I can. I want to run and play with them and I want them to know that I am willing to make major changes in myself in order to be here for them.