Short Bio:

My weight gain started with the birth of my first child in 2010. I gained about 50 pounds after having Quentin, then became pregnant with my second shortly after so the weight gain continued. I gained a total of 68 pounds by the birth of our second, Kayle, at the end of 2011.

The Weight Gain:

Huge. Literally. I was so used to eating what I wanted when I wanted. The eating for two didn't change after giving birth either. It was easy to tell my brain to stop but my stomach wasn't trying to hear it. It seemed impossible to break the eating habits I made from my back to back pregnancies.

The Moment of Change:

Shortly after our second son I went through the loss of my father, separation, and divorce. I was tired, depressed. I avoided mirrors so I didn't realize how much weight I had actually put on until noticing my already plus sized clothing becoming even tighter. I was never an exercise nut and figured even if I did start it wasn't going to help curb my already large appetite. Plus seeing already fit women working out was a complete motivation killer. I needed additional help. I saw an advertisement in the weekly ad for the Band and decided what the heck, doesn't hurt to call. The process was easier than I thought it would be.

A New Life:

Since surgery my life has changed dramatically. I was attending culinary school when I had the actual procedure, so the timing to me was perfect. I learned so much about food and how much impact our food choices had on our bodies. It made me look at food in a whole different perspective after seeing how much it can be used as a healing agent rather than a slow killer. It was a healthy, organic lifestyle change I made for myself and children. Now I feel more motivated to exercise, my children are strong, rarely get sick, and prefer apples and oranges to a piece of chocolate. Of course the added energy and extra boost of confidence fitting into medium-sized clothing doesn't hurt either.

The Reward:

Total weight loss to date is 74 lbs. and counting