I'm a 49 year old mom of a teen boy/young man.  In 1998 I got the flu and never got better.  In 1999 I was diagnosed with CFIDS/Fibromyalgia.  In 2000 specialists narrowed that down to Behcet's Syndrome, based on other symptoms.  What has this done to me?  It's made me a large lump, basically.  I can't exercise anymore (I was a faithful gym-goer for many years) and am in constant pain.  Angry?  yep.   I had to quit work because it was just too much strain, then my husband was laid off in an industry-wide outsourcing of services.  We relocated from So. Calif. to Oregon and now, I have reason to be happy.  The weather is wonderful up here, the people are SO nice and, although we can't find jobs, there's hope.

Now I look to my weight gain.  What happens to a middle-aged person who is suddenly sedentary?  Ha!  I went from a 5'9" 130 lb. woman to 206 lbs. in a few years!  EEEEEEP!  So, on March 5, 2006 I began to diet.  I've lost 22 lbs. since then and I'm losing it properly!  I've modified my diet and increased my activity slightly.  I can't do much more due to my illness.  My husband was diagnosed with type 2 Diabetes around the same time I began dieting so I've basically been following a Diabetes diet.  I'm thrilled with a 22 lb. loss but my goal is MUCH more. 

So here I am :)