[DoctorBretonDen]

I was always a bigger guy, but not in the fat sense. Though I was always around 10lbs or so overweight growing up. In college I did some stupid things (lots of weight lifting, protein shake drinking, and hard alcohol drinking) that didn't combine for good results. When I graduated college, I was probably 30lbs overweight. I was doing a good job losing weight until 2004, when all of a sudden, I had no energy, my metabolism slowed immensely, and I started eating a ton just to compensate for the low energy. After going to a couple of doctors, I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone levels but high TSH levels). Well, it took doctors almost TWO years to get me on the correct level of medication. During the first 6 months, I gained about 20lbs. Once I was regulated, some of that weight came off. But it has been a struggle ever since. I am hoping to get back to the 230lbs level some time soon, but ultimately, 210lbs sounds great!

Michael