So I guess I should share my story. It really isn't any different from thousand…or millions of other women out there. I don’t believe my struggle is any harder or easier than others. It’s just mine. I think our biggest obstacle is our own heads. 

My name is Leslie Carlucci and I am considered morbidly obese.  Wow….just to say that out loud. Or in this case write it down. Kind of smacks you in the face. My weight that I am starting this journey with is 239. I really believe this is the last time I will be at this weight. Well frankly it has to be. I have to take this journey… I really have no options. The health issues in my family run the gambit of diabetes to heart problems, hyper tension and several others that just don’t come to mind at this very moment. But I’m sure many of you can relate. I have relatives that there is no earthly reason they should still be with us. Only by god’s grace and modern medicine. \

As I sit down and think of my life, I realize it is half over and what do I have to show for it? I have just been existing. I am tired of just existing…. I get up, go to work and come home to TV. No more, no less…. And like millions of others I emotionally eat. I eat when I’m happy to celebrate and I eat when I’m sad because it’s comfortable. I eat when I’m lonely. When I go out with friends or family, we eat. I want to change that eating out thing all the time. I want to find other places or activities to meet family and friends. 

So, back to the story. I’m 47 and single. I have never been married and I have no children. It’s weird, you think “I have plenty of time”. “I don’t have to get married right away”. But time disappears. I honestly don’t regret my choices in that department. The right person hasn't come along and I didn't want to get married to say I've been married. I do miss the fact that I don’t have any children… but I have a great fur baby that I just adore! 
I’ve had the same struggle as many women out there. My parents did the best they knew how when I was growing up. I don’t hold anything against them and I am not angry at them for anything they did. They loved us and tried their best. We all make mistakes and wish we could do things differently at times. We didn't have much money and I never really learned to eat properly. I grew up with processed foods, meats and potatoes. 

I actually didn't really start to gain weight until I was in high school. And really bad in my senior year. That is when we moved and I had to switch schools. It was a really tough time for me for several personal reasons. Then of course after high school I didn't really know what I wanted to do and kind of skipped around to some low paying jobs. 
Then one of my “best” friends was that “friend” that did the backhanded compliment/insult. She would tell me all the time….”you would be so pretty if you were thin”. Well that really knocks the self-esteem out of a 19 year old girl. If I only knew then what I know now. I wasn't fat…. I wasn't fat at all! I look at pictures from then and think to myself… LESLIE…WHAT WERE YOU THINKING???????? I was beautiful! I was cute and friendly and outgoing…. But I was lost in my own head and believed what I was told by my “friend”. Why I believed her over everyone else? I wish I could answer that. 

As the years went on, my weight would fluctuate up and down. I've never been the skinny girl at all. I have a curvy figure and most likely always will. Honestly I am happy with that… I don’t know how this will all turn out, but I just want to get to a healthy, fit weight. I want all my blood levels to be good and I don’t want to live on medication for the rest of my life. Although I may have to take some. 

I have Hashimoto's disease it is an autoimmune disease of the Thyroid. Basically hypo-thyroidism. I know a lot of people out there use that as an excuse for not losing weight, but I am not. I know when I REALLY apply myself, I do lose it. I don’t think it helps, but it won’t stop me. And if it did, the exercise is still good for my heart and will help no matter what. 

So, long and drawn out as that is, that is my story. Please feel free to follow me. I would love to have a friend that is following the same path and journey.