and medical issues that make weight loss a nightmare.

Hello! I am LJ, I am 25 years old and I live in Colorado. I have struggled with weight since I was a young child and began with eating disorders to lose weight as a teen, which the doctors just "overlooked" because I was losing weight. I still struggled with the "if I don't eat, I won't gain" complex at times. I have had medical issues and allergies as well since a young child.


Asthma, Hypothyroidism, was found to have a rare disease called adult still's disease at age 22, a not yet verified diagnosis of lupus (waiting on tests) and a list of allergies that could go on for quite some time. Sometimes as sick as it's going to sounds, I almost wish I was back at 22 when I first got ill...I had lost well over 100 pounds in a short time but then got on prednisone and am still on it ...ballooned back up!

My husband and I got pregnant some months back and I lost our baby at 12 weeks, I then went on to lose three more pregnancies. All testing says I am normal and can get pregnant, now I am thought to have a blood clotting disorder or celiac disease. The celiac is most probable with quite a few of my other medical issues.

I am so disgusted with myself at times, although most would not know it because I am happy, perky me around anyone else but alone is a different story. I sometimes feel like I am on the outside looking in, if you know what I mean. There is so much I want to do but my weight and medical issues are a battling ground holding me back. I look around me and it seems everyone is losing weight without even trying and here I am working my butt off, tracking every crumble that makes it to my mouth and my scale is my enemy.

I have a wonderful support system , my husband loves me and tells me every day he would not change a thing about me and I love that but I don't love me like I am right now, as much as I try to pretend and even be happy when I am not.

I'm looking for a place where I am not alone, I can vent about how I am really feeling, I don't have put on my "game" face and pretend it all doesn't bother me ...a place where I can learn new things and I can support others on this journey. I am generally a really perky ,happy- glass always half -full lol type of person


I have vowed to myself, that my husband and I will take a vacation for our wedding anniversary in April. Either a cruise or Hawaii, I want to work my hardest to lose 8 to 10 pounds a month until then. I have been doing okay as last month I was at 345.

I would love to just meet some new people, hear your struggles or success and make some new friends.

Hi Colorado Girl

It sounds like you have really been through alot. I am confident you will find a plan that works for you.

There are so many forums here. Find a spot and settle in.

I joined a month ago, after loosing a bunch of weight on my own, only to find the scales going back up again. I have taken off 11 of the 19 I had regained and am looking forward to staying on plan with the support of my new found friends here.

Although my family understands I want to loose, they do not understand how I truly feel about it. I find understanding here.

Best wishes.
PS I live in Glenwood Springs

Welcome LJ!

Dieting with obstacles, I can surely relate to that! I was diagnosed with PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) at the age of 16, and now at almost 22 I've gained 100 pounds since then :[ What diet plan are you following? Gluten free for the Celiacs disease or are you not completely sure you have it? Private message me if you'd like, I'd love to hear more about your story :]

Sorry to hear you have suffered pregnancy losses

The people here are very helpful and supportive - it's a good place to be to not feel alone in your weight loss journey. Don't feel disgusted with yourself - you're taking action to lose weight so no need to. Read the forums here and you'll soon see lots of people don't find losing weight easy at all.

Thank you all for the warm welcome!!!

~~Creeech~~ I had to eliminate gluten from my diet a few years ago for hives and they went away for months, then I began slowly introducing them back into my diet. I spoke with my rheumatologist and she first wants to run tests but she said it would be smart for me to try to start removing items from my diet to see if symptoms improve.

Right now I was following a low calorie, low carb diet but will see the nutritionist for ideas now that my list of foods to avoid have been expanded... It is terrible because I feel like such an inconvenience when I go to others house for dinner lol and call them days before with a page full of allergens for me lol. Eating out is terribly hard as well...