Preface: I grew up in a
family that ate very healthy and was always active in sports. We rarely got
sugary treats. I’m not writing this to say that my being overweight “isn’t my
fault”, I’m simply stating facts that this wasn't a product of the way I was raised/what we were fed.
2001: At 11, I was tested
for diabetes but the test came back negative. My doctor was concerned about my
thyroid, but never did any further testing.
2002: I was 12 when I
tried Weight Watchers for the first time. My mom did it for years and did her
best to teach me what she knew. I didn’t go to meetings and didn’t end up
losing any weight.
2003: I did the South
Beach Diet and lost about 20lbs. It’s hard to be on a diet as a 13 year old so
I stopped and ended up gaining back the weight I lost and more.
2007: I started
Nutri-System, which works, if you stick to it. Again, I lost about 20lbs but
then lost motivation.
2008-2009: I graduated and
went to college, gaining the freshman 15 and more. Being away from home and
living by myself caused me to emotionally eat, which I’m ashamed of. I went
through phases of losing weight but didn’t stick to it.
December, 2009: I met with
a new doctor, Dr. J. I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism and was put on
medication. I thought the medicine would be my saving grace and help me drop 30lbs
in a couple months. I was wrong.
2010-present: I have lost
as much as 50lbs but unfortunately gained back 20 of it. I did a couple crash
diets but nothing stuck. I joined Weight Watchers in October 2011 and have had success. I love it so far.
I never imagined losing weight would be this hard. The great
thing is that the joy you have from losing weight is something that no one else
can take from you or take credit for. It is something you did all on your own.
Since 2010, I have ran two 5ks and I am training for a half marathon in October
2012. I will lose this weight, no
matter how long it takes.
