Lil
I have always been a 'solid
girl'. There have been periods when I was younger that I was able to get down to
about 11 stone (14lb's in a stone), but with always attempting and following
diets, my body said enough about 3 years ago and I started to get fatter and
fatter no matter how little I ate. Eventually I was being driven crazy with a
body itch over my limbs and back which forced me to the doctor.
She eventually (after much complaining and many visits) sent me for an insulin
test that came back around 6 times higher than what Atkins suggests is high for
anyone. She suggested that I watch what I eat (which I was already doing) and
try more exercise.
Last year I suffered ill health for most of the year. It was also the year I
started University study. My health deteriorated so much I wasn't able to
continue my study commitments and had to withdraw.
My sister Mia was aware of my problem and always kept an eye open for anything
that could help me. She saw an advertisement for a hyperinsulinaemic support
group that was run near where she lived, and gave me the phone number.
I rang and ended up speaking with Mimi, who spoke such sense about her life and
consequently mine and what I had been suffering that I cried after that call. I
had finally found someone who understood my weight situation, didn't just assume
like everyone else that I was a glutton and ate everything in sight.
Because of my then active connection via the internet with Mimi, one of my
messages was passed on to Sylvia who as it turns out lives just across the road
from my sister Mia and her husband.
This wonderful bunch of people have helped me arrest my weight gain spiral and
have given me hope of normal life again. How can I express just what a
difference it has made to me. Not only has my weight stopped growing (to the
heaviest point I have ever been), but the itch has gone and I feel so much
better.
The best my doctor ever did for me was to make an appointment with a local
hospital's obesity clinic, but at my insistence it was not with a surgical unit,
because I didn't overeat so stapling my stomach wasn't the answer.
That appointment referral was written by her in March and I and she received
notification of my 1/2 hour OCTOBER appointment just yesterday. I shake my head
in wonder at the medical system. One half hour appointment every seven months
must be a real inspiration to overweight people who attend that clinic.
Thank you to everyone at the board who inspires and supports. Without this long
distance link I for one would be much worse off. THANK YOU Lil.