[shelleymarie30]

I joined this forum over a year ago and decided I needed to lose weight. I began to exercise, but one day while exercising I started to feel like I was "falling forward." I had to hold onto something and breathe slowly in order to make the feeling stop. I thought I was having a panic attack. Turns out it was my blood pressure. I was having severe spikes while exercising. I got on meds, but nothing was working properly. We finally found a medicine that worked, after an entire year, but I started having an irregular heartbeat and palpitations. Also, my cholesterol was way too high, and I was put on medicine for that. I am in my early thirties and ashamed of my health issues.

My doctor told me that I have metabolic syndrome and am headed toward diabetes. I decided it was time to make a change. I started walking for three weeks. I realized that if I did it every day and worked through the palpitations, which after a barrage of tests my cardiologist informed me were benign, they might stop. Well, they did. Eating healthy and exercising every day worked to help make them go away. I still have them occasionally, though not as bad as they were originally.

I have been doing this for about 7 weeks now, and for the last 4 weeks I have been working out for about 1-2 hours a day. I walk 3 miles a day and do either an hour of aerobics or thirty minutes of aerobics and thirty minutes of toning. Some day I only get an hour in, but I do it 6 days a week. I have lost almost 12 pounds since I started.

My diet is sensible. I eat whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and low fat dairy. I eat about 1400-2000 calories a day, depending on my level of activity, and I am about to take the 10,000 step a day challenge. I feel healthier than ever, and I know that I will get to my goal of 130. Most importantly though, I know that I will get healthy and get off the medication, which is my ultimate goal.

I said all that because even though I quit this forum over a year ago, I don't intend to quit now! Little by little, I will reach my goal.

[Onederchic]

Hi and welcome back to 3FC.

Good luck with your goals.

Hugs
Michelle

[LondonWish]

I'm also in my 30's and have health issues that make it hard to lose weight and exercise. I have also started and stopped more than once, and like you I am embarrassed about my weight too.

We can totally do this!

[Losing It 2010]

Welcome back to 3FC, we are glad you are here and know that you will find a lot of support here!