Background

Here's a little history of my dieting and weigh loss journey:

I was just a typical child in weight and height. I wasn't skinny, but I wasn't overweight. I really noticed issues in high school. I wasn't overweight in high school, but had about 10 - 15 lbs that should have not been there. Once puberty hit and the onslaught on PCOS arrived, I knew I would have a struggle with my weight.

I was (not officially) diagnosed with PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) at age 16. I had a HORRIBLE junior year with heavy periods, low energy, and anemia. I went to my first gynecologist at 16 and she said that I had "annovulation" and said that I could possibly have PCOS. She put me on birth control pills to regulate my cycles. Hence, this is when my hormones began and ugly battle.

After high school, weight gain was inevitable. I was probably about 20 lbs overweight then. I met my husband while I was in college and we were married the summer before my senior year in college (1998). I was also diagnosed with Hypothyroidism which also makes it very difficult to lose weight.

A few years pass and we decide to try to have a baby. After a few doctors and fertility specialists later, I was officially diagnosed with PCOS which is the main cause of my weight problem. NICE. PCOS is NOT nice! It's a horrible disease that messes with your hormones, weight, ovaries, and blood sugar levels. We tried to mask the disease by taking Metformin. It made me sick and I stopped using it. We quit fertility treatments after numerous tries and focused on adoption. We became foster parents and I totally forgot about my weight.

Taking care of a newborn is hard and when you are running on 2-3 hrs of sleep at night AND working, it put a toll on my body. The only way I made it through was to eat whatever I wanted. Then only a year later, we were placed with another newborn. So, the weight came back and PCOS was out of control. I then became diagnosed with a blood pressure problem which goes hand in hand with obesity.

So now with my thyroid disorder, PCOS and blood pressure meds and gaining weight, I did not have a lot of energy and I was in my early 30's.

In November 2009, I met with a new specialist, got diagnosed with Metabolic Syndrome and made a firm commitment to get this weight off. I began taking Glumetza which is a gentler version of Met and does not hurt my stomach. I started exercising every night: stationary bike or "30 Day Shred" video. When the spring hit, I bought a bike and could bike 10 miles without stopping. I also walked a LOT. I dropped 35 lbs.

Then the summer came with lots of personal struggles and the fall was the worst with a lot of negativity and just lack of consideration on so many fronts. I feel into a deep depression. At Christmas time, I had gained back 10 of my pounds and I felt worthless and just uncomfortable.

Then New Year's Day came around and I switched back. I am now more focused than ever before. I have 6 months and 12 months goals that I want to accomplish.

Here is my weight loss stats so far.

Highest Weight Ever:

October 2009 - 203 lbs

May 2010 - 167 lbs

June 2010 - 165 lbs

December 2010 - 180 lbs

January 2011 - 181 lbs