Monday, November 23, 2009

Where My Journey Began...

In the spring of 2006, I got the crazy idea to run a marathon with Team In Training for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  There were several reasons for this a) my cousin, Blake, was being recognized at the 2006 Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Boy of the Year, b) I'd been intrigued with marathons since being at Disney World in 2002 during the weekend of their annual marathon, c) I loved running all through high school (though never on a team) and d) I desperately needed to lose some weight.

All of those were valid reasons and played out like I thought they would expect for "d".  In fact, instead of losing weight, I gained weight.  Wait, you're telling me that you went from being a TOTAL couch potato to training for and completing a marathon, and you gained weight?  Yes, that's exactly what I am telling you.

I spent the next 2 years working with various doctors, nutritionists and a running coach. None of them could figure out why I was continuing to gain weight.  All the blood tests came back negative - I was as healthy as could be.  I was down to eating ~1200-1500 calories a day and doing at least 1 hr of cardio a day.  For me, it was not as simple as calories in vs calories out.

Finally in March of 2008, my doctor decided to try one last thing as a last resort - a prescription weight loss drug.  It was reserved for people more severely obese than me and she wasn't sure it would work.  I was open to trying anything.  I was beyond desperate and couldn't figure out why my body hated me so much.  Lo and behold, it was the miracle I'd been searching for. 

Before - March 2008 - 182 lbs






















After - July 2008 - 127 lbs






















Yes, in only 4 short months I lost 50+ lbs, however my journey doesn't end there.  But, I'll save that for another day!

Note: In Sept 2009, I was FINALLY diagnosed as with hypothryoidism, which in my heart I knew was the problem all along but my blood test always came back within range.  I'm relieved to finally have a real answer.