After being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at age 26 and having gained a lot of weight, I made a half hearted decision to lose weight. To further endorse matters is that my family has a shocking history for heart attack and heart disease. My father was 59 when upon having his third heart attack, died when his heart simply was too damaged to work anymore and stopped. He was one of 8 children who, all but one, have all had open heart bypass surgery.

I suffered badly for years from allergies with parts of my face swelling to the point where my skin would start to split because it could stretch no further. I was in hospital 72 times in a 4 year period in anaphylactic shock where either my throat would swell shut or my tongue would swell to the point that my airways where compromised. I suffered cluster migraines that were treated with pethadine shots and a 2 to 3 day recovery period. I was on a myriad of drugs including muscle relaxants, sleeping pills and antidepressants for a long period of time. I had no energy and was cranky all the time.

I decided to lose weight. I tried Xenical, Fat busters tablets and many other diet pills, I tried meal replacement shakes, basically I wanted a quick and easy fix, something that required minimal effort. Something that came in a box.

It wasn't until I found out I was pregnant with my third child that I decided to become proactive in my health and actually do something about it. The methods I had tried were unhealthy and a waste of money.

I had decided my health was my major issue and I wanted to see my precious baby girl grow up. During my pregnancy I changed my diet to include whole grain bread, rices and pastas and started a low impact exercise regime. Basically I got off my but and started walking. My weight gain during my pregnancy was only 6.5kg. Now that I have my baby and she is 8weeks old, I have joined a gym and have embarked on a regime of cardio and weights.

So far I have lost 5 kilos and cms.

So I guess the moral to my story is that with a little effort I have improved my health, I no longer take ANY medications. I haven't had an anaphylactic episode in over 12 months and my general health and well being have improved out of sight, my Dr is very impressed. So it all came down to the fact that pills and shakes are only a quick fix. Good 'ol exercise and healthy eating are all it takes to turn your life around.

I think that my new lifestyle has given me an extra 20yrs that I don't think I would have had if I hadnt made these changes. All for my children (my partner is enjoying it to).

Learn more about this author, Emma Pearson.
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