Weight Loss 2012

Kyle and I recently went to the doctor's to talk to him about all of the different struggles that I have been having with my health/weight. The doctor was incredibly helpful and encouraging. His first suggestion was that I should immediately start taking Metformin for my "insulin sensitivity" caused by PCOS. I have known since the age of 23 that I have had endometriosis, but the diagnosis of PCOS is relatively new. When I was originally given the diagnosis last spring I was a bit shocked; however knew that something just didn't seem right with my system. My doctor's clinical diagnosis at the time was PCOS and suggested that if Kyle and I wanted to have more children that we would more than likely have to consider a bit of fertility treatment. When I asked about the weight gain he didn't seem too concerned.

Here is the background of the weight struggle:

• Married in 2003 wearing a comfortable size 6
• During my 2 1/2 years of working at the hospital I gained over 25 pounds. I was extremely stressed and the doctor's had me on a variety of different hormone related medications for my Endometriosis.
• Graduated from my master's in 2006 (Walked in 2007), wearing a comfortable 10/12 depending on the day
• Got pregnant in June of 2007 wearing 10/12 and instantly started losing weight due to being so sick. All of my maternity clothes were size 8 and even some size 6.
• Gave birth in December 2007 having gained only 17 pounds.
• Six weeks after Bronson was born I had lost all of my weight and then some. I continued to lose weight rapidly during the next 15 months while I feverishly pumped. I was within 2 pounds of my wedding weight and back into a comfortable size 6 in February 2009.
• By summer of 2009 I had already gained nearly 25 pounds of weight. Nothing in my diet had changed and I was continuing to walk nearly every day with Bronson in the stroller. I actually went back to the doctor's because I was so concerned. They said that everything was "normal" due to the fact that I had quit nursing.
• By the end of 2011 I was gradually climbing to my all-time heaviest and alarmed when after 1 1/2 years on Weight Watchers I was gaining and unable to lose any weight.

This means that when I walked into the specialist's office on the 24th of February that I was almost certain that he would discuss my weight. He didn't mention a thing about the fact that I nearly weighed the same as my husband. He discussed the fact that he was worried about my ability to process sugar and thought that Metformin was the solution for my problems.

As of today I still have not heard back from my original doctor to prescribe the medications. I feel that this is a blessing in disguise. I immediately started the suggested diet for those with PCOS who are overweight. I have not eaten a single thing that I am not supposed to for the past 7 days and I am already down over 5 pounds. I know that this won't happen every week, but it was the encouragement that I needed.

I thought that this weight loss adventure was going to be another difficult one but with the thought of being able to avoid Diabetes and other life altering diseases I am pushing forward. In all seriousness I really haven't missed anything that I thought I would. I thought it would be very hard to give up my fluffy coffees, but when I realized the money that I would be saving it made perfect since to give it up too. My friend put it into perspective last night about how you can feel so great after saying no to a sweet. As you sit across your friend/acquaintance that has consumed nearly 500 calories in one cupcake you have sat there enjoying the conversation without one unneeded calorie to think about later.

Before Pic

My goal, no not to get a side hug from my husband

I know that people like to see before and after pictures. This picture is a post of me mid-week of my first week. I almost untagged myself in the picture because I hated it so much, but I thought it is better to look at it as a point of reference rather than be too harsh. I will try to keep up on this blog about my get healthy adventure!