Overcoming challenges

Posted on July 28, 2015

My journey with weight loss began before I realized it. Until I had children, I never had to worry about my weight... in fact, my mom always worried I was too small, at 105 pounds. (I'm only 5' 2") However, after having my first baby (Kristen, for those of you in FW), I ended up with what they call secondary infertility, unable to have more kids without lots and lots of drugs, procedures, etc. I'm pretty sure that all those hormones, and the 3 bedrest pregnancies that ensued, had a lot to do with my metabolism issues. I was diagnosed with PCOS, so I probably would've battled weight gain anyway, but it got compounded.

After having baby #4, my life became much more difficult, when my husband left us, leaving me with no support to help with all the kids. The reason that I mention this, is that stress became a HUGE factor in my life, as I raised my kids alone for 12 years. The worst part of this was going through hurricane Katrina in Louisiana, having to rebuild a good part of my house alone for several years. I don't think I had any idea how much the stress was affecting my health. I just tried to make it through each day, not able to think very far ahead. I didn't have energy left over to even think about dieting, and those pounds kept piling on. I tried to go to my doctor, who heard me say I was extremely tired and feeling down... and she handed me anti-depressants, one after another, since they didn't seem to be helping. Those didn't help with the weight, lol. A few years after Katrina, I started trying very hard to diet, and did a ton of walking, free weights, etc., and managed to lose about 45 pounds.

I was thrilled that I lost the weight, but quickly realized that I was still not feeling any better. My exhaustion continued to be an almost daily issue. I remarried 4 years ago, and moved to Florida, starting a business over, working on blending families, etc. For those of you who have done this, you know it's not as easy as we think it will be! The stress just seemed to keep piling up on me. I started going to a doctor here immediately, and again went through several years of being handed prescriptions that seemed automatic, but weren't doing anything to help me get better. I realized I needed to do a LOT of research. One of the things I learned a year ago was that natural thyroid meds help some people a lot more than synthetic. I asked my doctor, and she refused to prescribe that. Then, when my iron finally fell so low that I should have been in the hospital on transfusions, I finally found a new, integrative doctor who believes in a holistic appoach to healing. I've had to pay out of pocket, and I've gone through a lot of very in-depth testing. What I quickly found out was that all that stress has completely drained my adrenal gland. I was very low on vitamin D, and several other things. It takes time to find answers, and even more time for the supplements to start working, but I'm seeing a light at the end of the tunnel.

The thing I most want to encourage people with, is that despite every imbalance, and despite the stress, I've lost almost 60 pounds. Yes, it's harder to work out when you feel like you've been hit by a truck, but it's important to get out there and move anyway. It WILL make a difference. Secondly, if you feel sick, it's SO VERY worth it to spend a little extra on a doctor who really takes the time to find out what's going on. I am so thankful for the natural medicines I'm getting, and how it's helping me. Yes, I still am fighting chronic fatigue. Yes, I still need to heal, but I CAN change how I feel, one decision at a time.

Yesterday I found out I still have Epstein Barr Virus, and that I have a couple serious allergies (mostly dairy), and so today I start learning something new. So as I keep going with my journey, I'm thankful to have new friends who will encourage me here, and I want to be able to help anyone I can with my story. I'm posting this not to whine or complain, but just to encourage anyone else with PCOS, etc., that we CAN lost weight, and we CAN feel better....even if it takes a TON of work! :-)

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Marcie

09/11/2015 6:40AM

Oh Anne what an inspiring story! I admire your courage and your fortitude. I am so sorry for all you have been through but you epitomize the Warrior spirit. I can't tell you how much I agree with you, I should blog my own story but serious athritis and a challenging adoption have been my challenges and I want to scream from the rooftops that 1) controlling your weight, nourishing your body with healthy clean food, and exercising are keys to stress management and often help control many diseases or physical conditions. We ARE what we eat. Thank you so much for taking the time to post your story, I hope it is read by many!!! You are an inspiration.

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Natalee

08/04/2015 3:51AM

Anne thank you for taking the time to share this story. You are a fighter and you will be successful- not only in your weight loss goal but in ultimately feeling better and healthier. I have also had struggles with chronic illness and battled conventional doctors (finally finding help with a holistic practitioner like you). Keep up the good work and keep fighting!

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Anne M.

Thank you, Natalee. It's so nice to know we're not the only ones, right? :-) Thanks for sharing that with me.

Karla S.

07/29/2015 9:04AM

Thanks for sharing your story. I love that fact that your attitude is such a powerful part of your success.

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Anne M.

Thanks, Karla! You're doing a fantastic job this month! 9 lbs in a month is incredible!! :-)

Karla S.

Thanks! Diet bet was just the kick start I needed. Last month I only lost 2 pounds, doing it on my own. This site really has helped me.

MandiLynn

07/29/2015 5:54AM

Thank you so much, Anne, for sharing your story. What a warrior you truly are. You should feel so, so proud at the strides you've made, the the steps you've taken to gain control over your health and your future. You're an inspiration. And thank goodness you finally found a doctor that doesn't just throw scripts at you. Quality health care is hard to find. I also found your story about infertility encouraging - we've been trying for just about a year now to get pregnant. We had one loss at 5-6 weeks back in June, so we're hopeful that the next one sticks... so to speak. Ha. It's been so challenging to find a health care provider that doesn't write me off as a "type A millennial who just wants things to happen immediately". I've been asking for some sort of hormone panel/testing since January, but only recently, after switching practices, have a finally found someone who is willing to listen to me and wants to take a proactive approach. Staying positive month after month is so challenging. Hope, disappointment, resolve - rinse, repeat. It's insane. This space, and all you guys, has/have been a wonderful refuge and has/have helped so much. So thank you, again, for posting this. It's most certainly not whining at all. <3

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MandiLynn

Low progesterone was definitely my problem last time (2.5 when it should be at least 10). I'm going on Friday for the '21 day blood draw' to test my normal progesterone levels, so hopefully on Monday we'll get some more answers. I think the hardest part of it all, is knowing that if/when we do get pregnant, I'll have a hard time being happy/excited knowing that at any moment something could go wrong again. But I guess that's how having kids goes, because anything could happen at any time, even after they're born, so there's no point to worrying at all, right? It's a weird grey area to be in... not quite technically a mom, but still having some of the same worries and fears. It's so nice to find other people that I can talk to that understand! :)

Anne M.

LOL, Mandi! Love this post...and yes, there were times I was very scared I would lost one of them. With my son, I was told I probably would lose him. But those progesterone pills really helped me a lot, and lots of lying on my left side (better blood flow). I did a lot of knitting those days, which helped me relax (well, at least it took my mind off worrying for a while, lol!)

07/29/2015 5:37AM

You have overcome so much! What an inspiration you are that even through hard times, you can battle back and regain your health and life! Kudos to you!

Anne M.

Thank you, KT! It looks like you're doing great yourself! Looking forward to hearing how you do this round! :-)

Reggie

07/28/2015 7:28PM

It is little wonder that you were stressed out. You have undergone some major life events. Very good blog and I appreciate your dedication in taking back your life. Thank you.

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Marcie

07/28/2015 6:02PM

Anne thank you for sharing your story. It is inspirational and chock full of important information. I am sorry for all you have gone through, but inspired by your strength and success in overcoming significant obstacles. I am so glad you found the right kind of doctor who had a more holistic approach and found root causes to help you heal vs. just throwing more pills (bandaids) at the problem. I wish more people were able to find this path (you know I did the same with my arthritis). I am sorry to hear about the EBV but am sure like all of your other challenges, you will prevail. You are smart and strong and I am sure reading your story will touch and help others. Thank you for sharing so openly. And big HUGS for you from me.

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Biking Syl

07/28/2015 4:49PM

Wow, you're a fighter. A true Warrior! Thank you so much for sharing your story! I have a few medical issues myself and it is so good to see how someone did the work and figured out the answers. You might not be a doctor but you are the one who cares the most about your health, so you are very likely to be the one who finds the missing piece of the puzzle. You're doing it!!

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