Health & What I Put in My Mouth

I love food. It, unfortunately, doesn't love me very much. I am facing some, shall we say, challenges in the health arena just now.

Up until about 2 years ago, I considered myself quite healthy aside from the fact that I've been overweight all my life. Then, I went on a "crash" liquid diet (through the HMR program). I lost 35 pounds, and then my gall bladder. Then I gained it all back (not the gall bladder, though. That's still missing).

Both of my parents have been diagnosed as having Type 2 Diabetes in the last several years, as well. My dad just had open heart surgery (see the post before last). My mom has heart damage as a result of taking phen/fen in an attempt to lose weight herself some moons ago. Given the health considerations of my parents, I went to see a doctor who specializes in working with two ends of the health and activity spectrum--very overweight folks on one end, and high performance athletes on the other end. Recent blood tests have revealed that I am insulin resistant, which is the pit-stop on the way to Type 2 Diabetes-ville. I'm taking medication, but haven't really noticed any difference in how I feel or in my weight.

I'm 34. I have a wonderful partner of 10 years, 2 cats and a dog, a great job, lots of friends, and--simply put--a lot to live for. Over the last year, I've been working out about twice per week with a trainer, and I've been making better food choices through meal planning. Despite my better habits, I have only lost a few pounds. My doctor now says there is "something off" in my thyroid levels, and so it's back to the doctor for me the week of August 7th. I know, I know. It's every fat person's dream to have a thyroid disorder--or so a hateful endocrinologist told me when I was 16.

We'll see what the doctor says, but in the meantime, my delightful partner has started a blog to document and process our adventure in treating my health issues with better, possibly vegan, food choices. It's so much easier to do what I've always done than it is to change, you know? But for my family, and for myself, I am trying and I'll continue to try.