Catherine46
Like many here, I have struggled with my weight most of my life. I was fine until puberty hit, then I started gaining and just never stopped. At high school graduation I was 5'9" and weighed 160. I thought I was massively fat. Ah, to be 160 again! At 19 and 190 I went to Diet Center for the first time and got all the way down to 148 for about 2 weeks. I managed to stay under 200 until I was 28, then gained 10 pounds a year for the next 8 years. My weight stabalized when I got pregnant (only gained 20 pounds with twins, but my OB was satisfied with that since I started heavy), my chronic acne cleared, my low-grade depression lifted, and I was no longer cold all the time--all of which led my OB to suggest my thyroid condition had improved. What thyroid condition??? After my pregnancy I was finally diagnosed as hypothyroid and started thyroid replacement, which ended the 10 pounds a year gain. Sadly, though, it didn't help me lose any of the weight I had packed on over the years.
For the last 6 years my weight has been stable and I have worked on improving my diet and setting a good example of eating habits for my kids. We eat lots of fruits and vegetables, moderate amounts of meats, and small, mostly healthy treats. We walk lots and ride bikes. But I'm still obese. And my knees and ankles are wearing out.
Last year I declared I was going to have WLS by the end of the year, and instead waged a losing battle with my insurance. This year I let them win and decided to self-pay. Either way, I end up the winner in the long run.
