samibabi

I first started to struggle with my weight in my late teens. I gradually gained weight from seventeen until about twenty-one, from lack of exercise and my addiction to food. However, I didn't know that at the time that I even had an addiction to food until I was in my late twenties.  I will address that later. When I was about twenty-one I was working for a group of doctors as a file clerk and I happened to hear about the new "wonder" drug Phen-fen that was supposed be the miracle to helping you suppress your appetite and lose weight easily! I had no idea exactly what I weighted at the time but I knew I was very overweight pushing probably 180 pounds. I knew I had to get a hold of this new medication and since I worked for these doctors, I made an appointment, and to make a long story short I was on them in no time. I lost all the weight and was looking really good but I was not hungry at all and I knew it was unhealthy but I didn't care at the time, I loved the way I looked and acceptance I felt. As soon as I stopped taking them, I slowly but surely started to put it back. By the time I was 27 I was at my heaviest to date, 265 pounds and the most unhappiest I have ever been! I was severely depressed, barely left the house except to see the doctor or to get food. Then, again it was rare I even got myself food because I had people do it for me. I didn't eat at the table like a normal person, I ate in my bedroom, in bed! I was completely unhealthy and miserable! I had to do something, so I searched online and came across O.A. aka Over-eaters Anonymous. When I was there I learned I was a food addict and I needed to be abstinent from the foods that triggered my addiction. My stay with O.A. lasted for 90 days and then I just couldn't do it anymore. It was too strict and rigorous for me at the time, I wasn't ready for it. I lost 40 pounds but it was soon put back. I gave up for awhile and just ate myself into another depression.  Then I decided  to join the women's gym Curves (that I eventually worked at as well) and lost 65 pounds. I felt great! I thought I was going to conquer the world and this was a piece of cake! Then I got to a plateau and couldn't lose anymore weight and I stayed the same and fell into my old habits, sneaking food, overeating, eating alone in the middle of the night! I was going nuts! I found comfort in food and it was the only thing that made me happy and gave me pleasure beyond anything in life!!! I learned from others that is was not the right way to be, and this was unhealthy to love food this much and in this manner, so  I found myself in the hands of Weight Watchers about two more times and lost between 17-20 pounds but was easily put back plus more. I continued to be active and exercise and go to the gym and walk 30 minutes a day with limited results. I was now 34 and still 200 pounds and disgusted with myself. I had to find something to keep me interested in exercise. That's when I  found Aqua Aerobics, a bright spot in my life.  Aquar aerobics became a part of my weekly routine, however I lost inches but not pounds. I became frustrated and knew it was also my poor diet. This is when I decided to call Dr. Paya and take my life back and make my life about living it and not about living to EAT!