A New Beginning

Although many people following my Blog will already be quite familiar with me, I feel the need for a brief introduction. My name is Olivia Pleasant, I am 24 years old, married to my best friend (7/11/2009), and the mother of one very rambunctious, wonderful (almost) 2 year old. We live outside of Austin, Texas and love life in the South!

I have always struggled with my weight. In fact, I can't remember a time in my life where I was my "ideal body weight," or where I wasn't at least 50 pounds overweight. At my most reasonable size, I was an 11 my junior year of High School but still weighed in at 185 lbs. I can vividly remember being taunted and teased throughout most of my life, starting when I was just 5 years old. I can remember being called Rolly Polly, Mimi (yes, from the Drew Carey Show), Shamu, and a multitude of other even harsher names. Until high school, I never had many friends and I know it was because of my weight. I was quite the not-so-little chunky monkey!

Now, today, as I sit here writing this, I am at the highest weight of my life measuring in at a staggering (and quite horrifying) 300 lbs. At only 5'3" this puts my BMI at 52.1. Now, not too be too obsessed with numbers, but an ideal BMI is between 18.5 and 25, and an ideal weight, given my height and age, would be around 130-145 lbs. And, numbers do not lie. I am more than double in both of these criteria! I currently have insulin resistance, PCOS, and get winded just walking the few feet to our mailbox and back inside again.

After much research and debate, last month I finally got fed up with the way I look. I avoid mirrors, hate the limited clothing stores, and am generally embarrassed by my own weight. Last month, I finally decided it was time for a change. I finally got fed up with beating myself down, getting depressed, eating some chocolate, and starting the vicious cycle all over again. I decided it was time for a complete life style change. I had my first visit with Texas Bariatric Specialist with Dr. Houston and Dr. Patel. It was that February 16, 2013 that I finally decided to have a life changing operation: Gastric Bypass Roux n y.

I decided that I feel it is important to document my journey, every single step of the way. I want to be able to look back at who I was and truly treasure and value who I have become. While some people may think, "so what, she's losing some weight," to me I see a complete life style change on the horizon. By losing weight I feel like my whole outlook on myself and my life will change; I will be able to run a 5K and not be winded when chasing my son around the park. I will be able to shop at any store, and look myself in the mirror with a love I have long lost. I am looking forward to the coming changes, and although the future may hold its complications, I know that all the struggles will be worth the end result. A healthier, happier me.