My name is Kerri and I'm 28 years old. This is my story. I created this blog with my sister-in-law, Sarah. We're both on a mission. We are both looking for better health and better lives. My story begins when I was 15. I was a very active kid. Swimming, marching band, always going. I was an athletic girl. Muscular legs, great arms and abs that were fantastic! One morning, I was taking a shower before school. All of the sudden I was hit with an immense pain. I was unable to breathe, thus I couldn't scream. My parents couldn't hear me. I managed to crawl out of my tub and roll myself up in a towel. I made it out of the bathroom and slithered down a flight of stairs. My parents rushed me to the hospital, thinking that my appendix ruptured. A condition that killed my father's brother when he was 22.
Upon arriving at the hospital, the doctors spent 6 hours trying to determine whether or not I was pregnant. I spent the better part of the 6 hours begging them and telling them that I was not pregnant. This apparently had no affect on helping me. Hours later, my mother hijacked me and brought me to her gynecologist since the hospital ruled out a ruptured appendix earlier.
It was there that I learned that I had a cyst that burst, which was not only causing me horrific pain, but would lead to many other issues down the road. Luckily, the function of my ovary was not affected by this incident. After being diagnosed with Ovarian Cysts, I continued my activities as normal.
Within one year, I gained 40 pounds. I couldn't explain it. Nothing had changed. I was still as active as ever and my diet was generally well balanced. It was a horrifying thing for me to experience. I didn't even recognize myself. I felt withdrawn and depressed. I worked so hard to lose any weight and it was all in vain.
Several years went by and I continued to gain weight. Doctors couldn't figure out what was wrong with me. My mother would have "the talk" with me. All the time. I worked really hard, cutting back calories and hitting the gym even harder. Nothing. Finally, 3 years later, my mom called me while I was at work. She was super excited. She was reading this article in a magazine about Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. Most of the symptoms sounded just like me. When I got home, I hopped on the Internet looking for additional information. I was floored. Everything that they were talking about fit me to a tee. If you know nothing about it, you should read more about the symptoms. It is important that every woman be aware of this...
I immediately made an appointment to see my Gynecologist. By this time I had switched doctors. I was heartbroken when I went into the doctor and she told me that the possibility of me having PCOS was remote. I sat there and cried. Here I had all the symptoms and another doctor was blowing me off. I finally demanded a referral to see a specialist. Begrudgingly, she gave it to me.
One month later, I walked into the new doctor's office; magazine article in hand. I sat down and spoke with him for about an hour. Just by looking at me he could tell that I was afflicted by something. They drew blood and though my results weren't through the roof, my history of continued ovarian cysts and other symptoms, I finally had a diagnosis.
I was put on medicine which I have been on and off of for years. The side effects tend to not agree with me. I recently have been off of it for good. Still, the challenge to lose weight was difficult to say the very least. I would lose 10 pounds just to put it back on. Dejected. That is about the only way I can explain it.
Then, I found my soul mate, Big Red. This tall horribly handsome man. We had a long distance courtship for the first 3 years of our relationship. My fast food consumption sky rocketed during this time, I would go back and forth twice a month to see him. My weight continued to creep up. I was in love. Bad. I finally leveled off at around 220.
I stayed at about 220 for a couple years. Then, an engagement and wedding planning. I'm a stress eater. I can't starve myself. Food is fabulous and I love to cook. Don't get me wrong, very rarely would I gorge. But, I gained 20 pounds in the 14 months leading up to the wedding.
I liken myself to be an attractive girl. But, this attractive girl no longer recognized herself. I could slather on makeup and play up my best features. Then, I would be around someone and they would say... "You have such a pretty face." Instead of someone just telling me that they thought I was pretty, they had to point out that no matter how pretty I was, there was something standing in my way. This crushed me. I didn't want to be that girl anymore.
But, it took me another 3 years to actually do something about it. I went to the doctor recently and heard something that I really didn't want to hear. I became upset. Despondent even. I went home and cried. For 5 hours. Big Red just laid in bed next to me and held me. It was at that moment (and several panic attacks later) I knew that I needed to seriously do something. I was inching closer to 300 pounds and knew that I never wanted to see that side of the scale. I was telling my best friend that I was proud that I had maintained the same weight for almost 2 years. This in itself was a huge goal for me. But still. Where I am is not healthy. I want to be around to have children, which Big Red and I have postponed until I reach a safe weight.
I reevaluated my stance on life. Mine in particular. I'm looking forward to this new stage of my life. I know that it is a though road. But, I have the support of my closet family and my best friends. Over the last few weeks, I really feel that I can accomplish anything.
I've tried every diet under the sun in the past. Never have I felt the intense motivation that I do today.
