I was not overweight when I first fell ill. I was a distance runner, and I made the poor choice not to take time off work and running when I had what I thought was the flu. It turned out to be glandular fever, and I've remained unwell ever since.

I was no longer able to exercise, but I still had the same appetite as I did when I was running, so I ended up gaining a lot of weight. When I was diagnosed with CFS, I changed my diet numerous times to both lose the weight and help the illness, but without exercise, diet can only do so much.

I was only recently was able to start exercising again, but it is becoming difficult with this flare which is not like the hundreds of others I've had for over ten years.

I am not a licensed psychologist, but I do have a graduate degree in psychology and a fairly good sense of self-awareness. Right now, my illness is maybe only 10% psychological, and that's mostly due to the frustration I feel about not getting the help I need to get back to a functional level.