Introduction...

[Guest guest]

Hey group! My name is . I am a stay at home mom and college

student in the southwest missouri area. I joined this group because

I have a LONG way to go, and could use a friend or two to encourage

me as I go.

I have two sons, (4 yrs) and Aidyn (11 months). After Aidyn

was born, I realized that I was steadily gaining between 2 and 5

pounds every week. I tried everything from low-carb to low-fat, even

not eating at all, and I couldn't lose a pound. The best results I

got were the weeks I was SUPER restrictive, when I just didn't gain.

That was the biggest accomplishment I could seem to make.

After realizing that my insurance covers gastric bypass, I decided

to go for it- except I was a little under the requirements (BMI over

40- mine was 38.6). So I intentionally gained weight and looked into

it. After a month into the process (including driving halfway across

the state for a seminar), the nurse practitioner at my doctor's

office decides she won't sign my release letter, on account of the

fact that I am, overall, very healthy. She suggests " I try dieting

first. " I'VE BEEN DOING THAT SINCE I WAS NINE YEARS OLD!!!!

So, here I am. Only 25 years old, and weighing in at 295 pounds.

There are NFL linebackers that weigh less than me... I bought a

stationary bike and some Weight Control oatmeal... I'm not saying I

can smile while I ride the thing, but I can honestly say that I'd

rather eat lightly and ride the bike than embrace what I'm becoming

and go buy size 26 jeans... Yeah, I'll take the bike... Size tens:

Here I come!!! (But it might be awhile, so don't wait up...)