I know there's an introductions forum but even there I feel out of place since I'm not overweight much at all.

I'm Katy (though I do answer to Kakers as well!) and I'm about to turn 29. I've been thin pretty much my whole life. Slowly I started to gain some weight, at one point it was an issue cause I was carrying some of it in my face and neck. I lost my chin, in fact, cause I have such a small head so my chin blended with my neck and I referred to it as my "chneck" after that I managed to get more active and eat a bit better and my chin came back

But that was 5 years ago! Slowly the weight has been coming back on, and this time it's almost all in by belly. I'm used to my weight fluctuations being in my legs, thighs, and bum... not my belly. Now I just have this belly and I hate it! And I wouldn't mind the *weight* itself it's just the shape my body has turned into. I feel like I just look lumpy, because my belly and love handles come out and my hips and thighs go out but up at my hip bones there's very little extra padding- so it kinda looks like I am always wearing pants that are too tight.

It's gotten to the point that none of my clothes fit, and I have to change my whole sense of fashion because what I like to wear makes me look lumpy and horrible.

And of course everyone at work thinks I am sooooo skinny, because I wear a baggy hoodie at work all the time (my coworkers over-do the A/C) that covers it up. When I tell them how much I weigh they are shocked. I think the most I weighed in at was 153, and I'm 5'6 which I know for a lot of people isn't a lot, but for me it is. It's a pain in the butt when everyone THINKS you are a skinny girl when you're NOT anymore.

So on top of not having clothes that fit, not having a bathing suit that fits and avoiding the beach (I LIVE at the beach!!) I also am having my wedding in less than a year. Trying on dresses has mostly been great- but one dress I tried on that I thought for sure would be my favorite made me look completely lumpy

My husband tries to sympathize, and says he is getting fat too... but at least his clothes still fit and he doesn't look bad in them! Some days I try and get dressed and can't find a darn thing that doesn't look horrible on me. Makes me not even want to leave the house Much less go to the gym, when I don't have summer workout clothes that fit. Or swim after work, because I don't have a bathing suit that fits. It kinda feels like banging my head into a wall :/

Anyways this has been long but thought maybe some of you here could relate! Someone sent me a link here and at first I thought "I'm not REALLY overweight so IDK that it's a good place for me" but I'm glad I looked cause I found the featherweight section! Thanks if you actually read this far!!

~Katy

Hi Katy

Welcome to the boards! We know all about people thinking we don't need to loose weight here . But just like anything in life - it matters not what others think. If YOU want to loose weight for YOU then that's what you should do.

I started a month ago and I had a BMI that said I was overweight - but people would not believe it because I dress with long shirts and such to cover up the fat part (my thighs). My arms are completely skinny. So, just trying to say - I know where you are coming from!

Goodluck on your journey, welcome here.. it's a great place to keep you motivated.

Not being able to wear your clothes is the worst. My biggest motivation is being able to wear my favorite pencil skirt again.

This forum is fantastically supportive, and I look forward to seeing your progress!

Thanks for the welcomes girls! So far it's slow going, or rather, no going at all. Yesterday was my birthday and I was off work, and hubby only had a few hours of work in the AM. Spend a lot of time eating, and not exercising pretty much at all. Today I had work, hurt a muscle in my back playing with the kids and then stuffed myself at dinner (Thai food, I can't help myself.)

Yeeaahhh...

~Katy

Hi Katy! We're the same height so I can relate that people think you're a skinny girl and you think you're not based on your weight. Taller girls seem to carry the weight differently, I think. You'll find tons of support on this board. The Feathers are awesome women, very inspiring. Welcome!!

fitmom 117? Man I don't think my body could do that! Last time I was below 120 it was high school, and from a combination of a broken heart and recovering from surgery (barely ate for weeks!) And I could see my ribs. It wasn't pretty. I think the lowest I'd be able to go at this point is 125, maybe 123, and still feel "healthy" You must have a naturally slender frame!

~Katy

kakers: I actually do have a naturally slender frame - very boyisly-shaped, lol. Most of my life I hovered around 125-130 lbs. until I had my second son and then my weight rose to almost 140 which was a lot for me. I dipped below the 120s just recently from getting really hardcore about my diet and running - that made all the difference. But everyone's different, I could never imagine myself at say 110 lbs.; I would end up looking very gaunt IMO.