Where Did All This Weight Gain Come From?

It's a an eye opening experience to look in the mirror years after your initial weight loss success and you feel find yourself asking "Where did all this weight gain come from?"

I was so proud of myself by the end of year 2007. I had finally met my weight loss goal of 30lbs and I felt great!!! I loved the way my clothes fit me. My self esteem was at an all time high and my energy level was through the roof. I made up in my mind  I would never be heavy again. But here I am, eight years and nearly forty pounds in weight gain later. "So what happened?" You asked.

Honey, life happened...

In 2008, I started having trouble with fibroids and had no choice but to subdue to a partial hysterectomy. Not only was I nervous about the changes this surgery could cause to my body but I was worried about the possible weight gain as well. Nonetheless, the surgery was inevitable so I made up in my mind that I would keep eating right and exercising. No way was I going to allow all of my hard work go down the toilet!

By year 2010, I was doing pretty good with fighting the battle of the bulge. While I had suffered 15lbs of weight gain, my energy was still on high and I continued a healthy diet and exercise plan. Still I was determined to lose those pesky pounds. I would not be defeated!!!

And then February 2011 came and my world crashed when my youngest sister died suddenly. I don't think I ate one solid meal that first week after she passed. I lost five pounds in just four days...It took weeks for my appetite to come back and when it finally did, my daily exercise regime had nearly diminished. My motivation was gone. I just couldn't seem to get my mojo back. It seemed like my life was spiraling out of control. Latoshia's passing was only the beginning of many more tragedies to come and I just couldnt deal with it.

 I was plagued with migraines. Several trips to the doctor confirmed my headaches, weight gain and loss of motivation were a result of my grief and stress. My doctor told me that even though I didn't have much of an appetite, stress was part the blame for my weight gain. I was like "Really!?!? I'm not eating and still gaining weight. Where they do that at?"

So here I am, year 2015 and an additional 25lbs in weight gain later. I don't have much of an exercise regime anymore. My joints ache. I battle with bloating. I feel sluggish all of the time and I'm plagued with hot flashes which my doctor says aren't associated with early menopause. As a matter of fact, other than my need to lose weight, I've been given a clean bill of health. I have very fickle eating habits. Some days I'm ravished with hunger and other days I could care less if I eat.

So now I know what I have to do. I must reclaim me! Its time for the old Bridgett to come back. While I love my body, I don't like the way its making me feel right now and I know that it's all my fault. Its up to me to give it the much needed tune up it deserves.

The start of my Reclamation Journey begins.... Will you join me?