Looking to live again!
 

Hey there :D
I found this place while searching for some info on a weight loss program. This seems like a wonderful/supportive community where everyone's in the same boat. I've been in some serious need of motivation and support in this area. I have a feeling joining here might be the start of my turning point. :carrot:

Let me introduce myself! My name is Katie, I just turned 23 last month, and I've been a shut-in for about 8 years now.

The weight is and always has been my fear of going outside. You would think being so horrified and shameful of my body would force me to change it, oddly it's only done the opposite. I've been slowly gaining weight for years and increased my fears along the way. I missed my entire high school experience and I'm starting to miss my 20s. I don't want to just give up and die where I am. I want to live again, more than ever. I want to experience what life has to offer; good or bad. Every day that goes by, it feels like I'm decomposing.. or at least my soul is. I don't want to hope or dream anymore. I want to find my true motivation and stick to it! Here's looking at tomorrow!

I already think this is a fantastic site. And I thank you for being here. :hug:

Hey there Katie,
I hope you are well. You know you are right about what you said above... this community is WONDERFUL place!! Really. I'm so glad I found it and it keeps me motivated in my weight loss. I'm happy about the inside of me... just not the outside and so with support from my friends, family, my husband and especially this community I know I can succeed and you can to!

Welcome and good luck. Do you have a diet and exercise plan?

WELCOME. Katie!! This IS a great place!!!

It sounds like you're having a lot of struggles -- have you seen a therapist at all? You might be suffering from an anxiety disorder. If so, there are a number of therapies that can be helpful (drug and nondrug therapies).

I agree it is so important to become healthier and take the weight off, but if you can, I'd advise you to try to start living now. Most overweight and obese people can and do live very productive lives. I travelled all over the world as an obese person. I was always conscious of my weight, but didn't want it to stop me... anyway, that's why I was wondering if there were other issues going on.

Please join us and find some "homes" on the site!

Welcome! YOu came to the right place :)

Welcome to the most supportive place on earth. Whatever advice or information you need, just ask and most likely, someone knows or has been there before. Good luck to you!!!

Thank you everyone for the supporitve and warm welcome!:hug: I'm really looking forward to being here and hopefully watching my weight bar go down! I think that is such an inspiring thing!


Not at the moment! But whenever I try to start things off I go on the Scarsdale diet for a couple weeks to try to jump start my weight loss. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't! And as for exercise, I have a Total gym, tredmill, and a Fitness Flyer. In the past I've always felt more comfortable using the Total Gym. the only problem is that I haven't found any good stomach exercise on it, and my middle is my main problem area. :dizzy:

Hi :D Yep, I've been to a bunch of therapists since I was about 4 years old. The last one I saw was great, but she didn't really know what to do with my situation, since untimately I'm the one that needs find the strength to work on my problems. That was a few years ago and I ran out of insurance. I haven't found therapy to be super helpful with this problem. I guess I'm just biased because I've been to so many and through my entire life. I know they really help for other people! So I'm glad they're there for them. :D

I'm quite sure I have social anxiety disorder. I've been given some pills for it before, but sadly didn't see any difference. I think it's something I just need to figure out on my own.

I have been working on this problem though! In the past I would only leave the house once a year, one time I only got out once over a two year period. But lately, I've been trying to get out of the house once a week. I started by just going to the movies, but now I've been trying to go to the grocery store and to blockbuster. Lately I've been getting more depressed and skipping a week or so. I think not pushing myself to do it is the cause for it. I'm working on it though! I went to a famers market one day, so it was nice to be able to do that. :D

Katie -- Social anxiety can be very debilitating and isolating. I hope you find this online community helpful.

Too bad pills didn't work... sounds like you've tried a number of therapists.

I took a baby steps approach to weight loss, and it sounds like you may be trying the same for the anxiety. I wish you luck!!!!

I loved your "spirit" relayed in your name and poetic writing....
 

We might just be two of a kind. in different ways. :hug: (I'm going to have to go, so just wait - gotta put babies to bed...right back! :dizzy: I'm brand new here too, and I have a struggle unlike others' as well, but so much is the same......I am not a shut in, in my home, but I feel that my soul has been shut in somehow, and I've allowed myself to stay here for so long. Fear. :( I guess. But I felt a kindredness about your writing, and about your heart. I have been looking to find a friend online that could be an accountability, "check in" partner for those little goals that will help me regain my flight, and for the honor and accountability-responsibility to be "there" for someone else's baby steps back toward flight, or song (siren). I feel I have wings, but they've been taped down. More in a minute! ;) Be right back!