I was very fat when I was in my teens (pushing 200 pounds), and I lost all the weight in the beginning in a very bad way. I suffered an eating disorder for about five years. Eventually I went to group therapy and overcame the disorder, deciding to live, not die. (At one point, I was very ill and was even rushed to the hospital.) I finally decided to put all my energy into something that my body could benefit from. Rather than slowly killing myself, I decided to get into fitness...and focus more on eating healthier.
By the time I hit about 21, I was fully recovered and at a good weight; over time I'd become more focused on my goals and being healthy, especially when I met my husband. My family has a history of obesity: My mother is very heavy (she also has diabetes, thyroid problems, and high blood pressure), my uncle is very heavy (although he seems to have it somewhat under control), and my older sister is very heavy, too. I knew if I didn't take care of myself the right way, I would likely die. So I started reading books on nutrition and health, and in light of my earlier eating disorder, focused on making sure I got the nutrients my body needs. My eating habits may at times seem odd to others, but I feed myself what I know my body needs, and what my baby needs.
