Deb .... when I was firsted diagnosed with diabetes I was at 187lbs.... by my home scale (no telling at the Dr.'s office) Keep in mind, I am barely 5'1" if I am standing straight as an arrow!!! I was wearing 18's and even knocking on the door of 20's .... I was so uncomfortable, my arms were way too short to fit my size ... I was miserable and sad. Once I was diagnosed, I was all ready to watch my sugars and I did great the first few months .... I dropped about 18 lbs, and my diabetes counsellor called me his "poster child" ! Well, needless to say the next 3 month visit and I was back up around 170 or so and I am maintaining around 172 now. I am at least "down to" a size 16 and can even SQUEEZE into really stretchy 14's ... you know the spandex jeans with elastic waists!!! LOL!!! Of course, I have to wear long tops over them to hide the fact that I poured myself into them!!!! So I guess in all honesty and reality, I am a size 16. But I am so dog gones short and have really tiny lower legs, that large sized pants look terrible past my belly! Oh well, I wear lots of loose dresses and stretch pants.

Don't get me wrong, Debbie ... I have my moments when I am utterly disgusted with myself ... but for the most part, I have just gotten settled into my new self, and as long as I can get my diabetes under control ... I will be fine!

My main problem is my family ...... I'm so sick of the disappointment and disgust I see in theirs eyes when they remember their long lost "little Kim"!