Hi everyone! I'm excited to become a part of this great community.

My name is Elena and I'm 6 months into my weight loss journey. I have lost 71.4 lbs from my starting weight of 386. I am 36 years old and have been overweight since about the age of 5.

In March 1994 when I was 18 years old, I had a gastric band placed. My weight at the time of the surgery was 305. I lost 100 lbs over the next year, but did not maintain it. After the fact, I realized that I was not ready to deal with the changes that weight loss brought. I'm definitely one of those that got fat as a form of protection from the world. So once I was exposed, I was uncomfortable, did not even realize why and I just packed the weight right back on.

Over the last 10 years, losing 20 lbs was about as far as I would get. Then of course, gain it right back. I just didn't want to. I didn't care.

About 2.5 years ago, I was diagnosed with diabetes, hypertension, hypothyroidism and hyperlipidemia so I've been on medications for that and was half-heartedly compliant with diet and exercise. But my HgA1c continued to climb while on oral meds. It was a level of 7.3 that made me say, "enough".

My approach right now is calorie-counting with phone app, moderate carbs, and walking (outdoors or treadmill) 4 times a week minimum. I also do some light weights a couple times a week.

So that's me in a super-quick post. So happy this community exists! Thanks for reading, ya'll.

Hi Elena,
I just wanted to say congratulations on doing so well so far, you are an inspiration! I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes about 15 years ago, I was in my mid thirties and I thought it was the beginning of the end, but with diet and exercise, just like you're doing, I've been fitter and felt better about myself as I've got older. I'm sending my best wishes for the rest of your journey.

You know, you struck a chord with me about one very important thing. For those of us who over-eat, knowing WHY is a vital part of putting an end to it. For me, it's depression. I was a size 4 when my father fell ill. He struggled in ICU for 9 months before he died. I had lost my best friend, and one true champion. During that time, my husband had an affair, and ultimately it ended in divorce. I had now lost my life partner. I hid out and ate to feel good. Now I'm in a new relationship, and I look at myself and wonder what the heck he sees in me. I'm depressed and out of shape! I'm grateful he sees the good parts of me, and I'm determined to make those things my dominant features again! A fit lifestyle and a happy heart go hand in hand!

Best of luck to you!

In 6 months of being compliant with diet and exercise, not only did I experience weight loss - but my latest hgA1c is 6.3. There's nothing like lab proof.

Of course, I want it to be lower still and would love to control my diabetes with diet and exercise alone.

Thank you for sharing this and your words of encouragement.

Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry for your loss. The strain of all you went through must have been tremendous. But what a blessing to have a new someone in your life!

I definitely relate to eating to feel good. I am an emotional eater. I have used food to self-medicate. I was thinking back and before my diabetes was diagnosed, I would overeat just to get that lethargy a food coma brings! - abusing food as though it were drugs or alcohol.

Even now, 6 months in - I struggle with emotional eating. I'm sure I will my whole life. Right now, it's just about having more good days then bad days and NEVER letting a bad meal or bad day derail me from my overall goal.

The hiding out thing has pretty much gone away for me. I went through a "yeah, I'm fat so what?!" period where I didn't let my weight stop me from doing what I wanted. It helped me to love and respect myself, regardless of what shape my body is in. But it also showed me what physical limitations existed because of my weight. It proved to be frustrating and added to my lists of reasons to get rid of this excess weight. I think also as you get older - you just flat-out care less of what people think of you and feel stronger - at least I do. So now I'm not so scared. I know I can handle myself, ya know. I don't need a 200 lb fat wall around me.

Good luck to you too! See ya in the forum!