1BigHeart

I read a book about bariatric surgery.....the first step toward success was Know Your Story.  
My story......hmmm........my story.
I was an average sized kid until 3rd grade. I became an aunt that year; my 15 year old sister had a baby.  I know now, as a parent, that was an incredibly difficult time.  THis was when I started going to food for comfort. Not that my parents were bad or neglectful, they were/are great parents.  Looking back, I didn't have the skills to deal with this. I had been the youngest my whole life up to that point. I was a sick kid, too. Asthma. In the day, kids with asthma couldn't run, jump, get out of breath. The meds were not as good as they are now.  I spent alot of time at home.  WIth my mom. My mom who loved food. Me who loved food. Me who used food as a friend, hobby, distraction, comfort.  On and on I went. Same cycle. I gained weight. I was sick. I missed school. I got behind in school. I was the fat kid in school. I loved school (the learning part, that is) and I did well enough to go to college. I lost weight in college, not much, but enough to fit into the desks and to be able to keep up with classes and activities. After college, I was a size 26.  So, I know there is not such thing as discrimination at work, but I could not get a job. I had so many interviews. So many. Never an offer. I took a job as a day care provider. Still interviewed, no job.  I went on Nuti System and worked on my MA.  I lost weight, down to about a size 22.  Not enough to land a job. I interviewed over and over.  Sometimes for the same position.  When it was a teaching job, it was so easy to see who got the job......they were never ever ever overweight.  I was a fat bride.  I don't know if I "settled", but I do think that I wouldn't have accepted my now husband's date offer if I thought I could find another date.  I did date, but was always dumped. One very honest guy (o how I had a case on him) told me he really liked me, but couldn't get serious with a fat girl.  My husband actually dumped me twice while we were dating.  I know we would never have gotten married if I hadn't really worked on it.  My husband and I have a wonderful family and a good life.  I could go for more money, tho....  So I got married, gained weight.  Got pregnant, gained weight X5.  Five babies. Five big weight gains.  Yes, I still have baby fat.  I was able to stay home with my first 3 babies, but had to work while I had the last two. This was horrible for me. I wanted to be home with my kids and that just wasn't going to work out. So I ate. And I gained.  I looked into bariatric surgery then, but I was pregnant with baby #5.  Then insurance didn't cover it.  Finally, I got a job with a decent salary and GREAT INSURANCE.  So I started the 7 month insurance process, and here I am.  Tomorrow is the big day.  I have to be there at 5:30am.  Most of my family found out today.  We'll see how this goes..........