Hi Julie (and everyone else reading!)

We have some things in common. I have been battling obesity since I was a child. I was never really able to eat like a "normal kid." I always put on weight very easily. At one point, age 11, I essentially starved myself and lost about 30 pounds, taking my weight from 165 to 135 on my 5'3" frame (I'm still the same height!) and was finally considered pretty much "normal" by my mom and doctor. But it doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize what happened next. I gained it all back...especially when my mom died when I was 12 years old from breast cancer. I also had a very rough time with my father (he had bipolar disorder and I never really connected with him). I just never fit in at home. I found church to be where I fit in. But I gained and gained...yet they still accepted me. By the time I was 18, I was 265 pounds. My highest weight has been 380. I am around 296 right now.

Nearly 5 years ago, I had the sleeve weight loss surgery. I think I was around 325 or 330 at the time. My lowest weight after that procedure was 249 I think. I never lost my hunger like I was told would happen. In fact, since the surgery, I'm more hungry more often I think. Or at least more obsessed with food. I went through PA school (full time masters) and had my second baby and after that, my weight climbed back up to around 305.

I started working out with a trainer about 1.5 months ago. I am down to 296 now. But, more importantly, I feel better. I am not looking for quick weight loss this time. I am planning to eat around 2000-2400 calories a day for now, which may seem like a lot for a WLS patient, but, I feel like my body is starving for nutrients. For quite some time after the surgery, I ate terribly. I basically stopped eating when I was hungry and started eating when I wasn't full...and there's a big difference between the two.

I also have pretty bad hypothyroidism, which, truthfully, I attribute to my crash dieting as an adolescent...I was diagnosed with it in my early-mid teens from my recollection. But it's treated, so "they" say I should be able to lose weight just fine. Who am I kidding? I'm a PA and I tell patients that too...pretty much because it's been told to me so often...though I'm not quite convinced hypothyroid patients have the same rate of weight loss.

So, for now, my goals are:

1) Diet of 2000-2400 calories a day
2) At least 100 grams of protein per day
3) Taking my vitamins and mineral supplements (Since this darn surgery, I've fought iron-deficiency anemia, B12 deficiency, and magnesium deficiency...in addition to acid reflux, for which I take a PPI...which lowers absorption of several key nutrients...like those mentioned above)
4) Drink lots of water...boy, do I feel better when I do!
5) Keep working out with my trainer twice per week and also do at least 2 days on my own
6) 7-8 hours of sleep each night -- and hopefully, a more consistent schedule
7) Continue psychotherapy

Anyway, I am happy to "meet" you all.

Shannon

Hello all,
I have struggled with obesity since after the birth of my first child in 1992. My lowest weight has been 110 pounds which not achieved by any healthy means. I was a meth addict from the age of 18 to 26 years old. My highest weight actually peaked this year at 261.4 pounds. I am having circulatory problems now and cannot walk without becoming winded. All my cardiac testing has thankfully been negative. My healthiest weight was at 145 which I achieved before becoming pregnant for the second time in 2007. It just continued to rise from their with the birth of my third son in 2008 and the 4th in 2010. I have now had a hysterectomy and right oopherectomy, and am taking a hormone to supplement by one ovary. I am sure this has contributed to my weight gain as well. I am currently eating 1730 a day, and exercising sporadically until I am at a weight where I am not struggling to breath on exertion. I am setting my goals at 20 pounds at a time, as I feel this is more achievable.