43 year old Artist. Introvert. Cat-lover. Never met a pun I didn't like :)

After many years of battling (and alternately ignoring) my food addiction, I find myself with a long list of medical conditions and an even longer list of medications for said conditions. Trite, but true -- I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired.

In 1998, a doctor suggested I check out the Protein Power diet. I easily lost almost 75 pounds and felt quite healthy and focused. I was in fear of becoming diabetic, like my sister. But not scared enough. As many of us do, I fell down the slippery slope of carb-creeping back into full-blown morbid obesity. I was around 310+ at my heaviest. I have yo-yoed for years, always believing that THIS time is the LAST time. Now I know I have to just take it ONE DAY AT A TIME. For the rest of my life. Wow, that is scary!!!

Diagnosed with hypothyroidism in Fall 2014. Now my weight is hard to budge downward and I miss the days when just a simple change to a low carb diet could produce instant results. I am under the care of a PA/RD who practices an integrative, whole body approach. Logging my food here gives me great accountability. But a part of what's always been missing for me is SUPPORT. Why do I think I have to do everything on my own? Why must I struggle to ask for help? Joining this community is a perfect opportunity for helping me out with that :)

I'm starting here at 292.5 pounds. 5'10" female. Listing my current conditions as incentive to myself to kick as many meds as possible to the curb and improve symptoms with healthier alternatives:

Hypothyroidism
Diabetes
Sleep Apnea
Acid reflux - Med free! No longer need omeprazole as of 7/2015
Hypertension
GI issues linked to previous gallstone pancreatitis and gallbladder removal
Non-alcoholic fatty liver
ADHD
Depression
Asthma/seasonal allergies
Hidradenitis suppurativa
Keratosis pilaris

Onward . . .and downward!

Lisa