want2clessofme

[font=comic sans ms', cursive][size=5]Growing up in my family, our social life always revolved around comfort food. We had sibling contests to see who could eat the most pancakes/waffles/grilled cheese sandwiches. (I was the only girl) [/size][/font]

[font=comic sans ms', cursive][size=5]We had sugary cereals for breakfast, a school lunch, after school snacks, a mostly prepared foods dinner, dessert after the evening meal and usually television/bedtime snacks. Mostly high carbohydrate foods![/size][/font]

[font=comic sans ms', cursive][size=5]Food was used as celebration, reward and punishment. Ie ... Family gatherings were a food fest! If you don't clean up your plate - no dessert. If you got into trouble - went to bed without dinner.[/size][/font]

[font=comic sans ms', cursive][size=5]As a teenager/young adult, I was maybe 10-20 pounds overweight. I had hormone imbalances that prevented ovulation and used prescription drugs to get pregnant with both of my children.[/size][/font]

[font=comic sans ms,cursive][size=5]In my middle 20's - as my weight started to creep up after pregnancies, I tried the liquid protein diet, a chewy candy called Ayds (you eat 20 min. before a meal), joined support groups (TOPS, WW) walked for exercise and could lose - but always gained it back after plateaus discouraged me :([/size][/font]

[font=comic sans ms,cursive][size=5]In my early 30's - with a full time job and a busy life, I tried doctor monitored - prescription appetite suppressants - B6 shots - vitamins and a 1000 calories a day diet - and lost weight fast! After 2 months, I felt anxious, had trouble sleeping and my hair started falling out. [/size][/font]
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[font=comic sans ms,cursive][size=5]Then, I discovered I had a large cyst on one of my ovaries and had emergency surgery. I gave up and put the weight back on. [/size][/font]

[font=comic sans ms,cursive][size=5]In my 40's - I tried Weight Watchers, Deal-a-Meal, Slim-Fast, exercise videos, Atkins Diet and lost weight on them all - only to put it back on when I went off the diet plan and back to my old eating habits. To be honest, I had short periods of dieting and long periods of just giving up and giving in to being overweight.[/size][/font]

[font=comic sans ms', cursive][size=5]When I turned 50, I was tested for Type 2 diabetes (family history and struggled with fatigue, sugar cravings, thirst, frequent urination) and was considered pre-diabetic and put on low dose of Metformin. My medications increased each year and now I am on 2000 mg. Metformin, meds for high BP and Cholesterol. These drugs do not come without side effects :( [/size][/font]

[font=comic sans ms', cursive][size=5]My job requires standing/walking on hard surfaces and I have had many foot problems - including surgical repair. I have 3 years until retirement and would like them to be pain-free. My weight has been steady for several years - between 195 and 205 :([/size][/font]

[font=comic sans ms', cursive][size=5]I have 5 beautiful grandchildren counting on Grammy to be healthy and fun![/size][/font]

[font=comic sans ms', cursive][size=5]At age 56, [/size][/font] i[font=comic sans ms', cursive][size=5]t seems the answer to all my ailments is to "lose weight." I would love to go off my meds (or at least decrease). I would like to be able to exercise again - without foot pain! I would love to not be hungry all the time! I would like to live a longer, healthier life![/size][/font]

[font=comic sans ms', cursive][size=5]I am not going into WLS with my eyes closed to the risks. I have been trolling this forum for weeks now and have seen many things that concern me. I am using my waiting period to educate myself and prepare for a new way of living with food. [/size][/font]

[font=comic sans ms', cursive][size=5]I am so ready for a change![/size][/font]