Kind of depressing intro :)
 

Hello! I'm kind of nervous and excited to share my story with you all.

My name is Hayley, and I am only nineteen years old. But more importantly, I classify as morbidly obese. I weigh 295 pounds at the moment. I have always been very overweight - I can't remember a single time in my life I felt thin, or even "chubby". I've spent the majority of my life hiding behind layers of insecurities and excuses.

When I was in school I was teased so much that my self-confidence took a major nosedive. Even in grade school I was humiliated on a daily basis - I would go to school miserable, then come home and cry about how I was treated. It never really changed - I switched schools a few times, and finally, I started having panic attacks in my sophomore year of HS.

I ended up using several different kinds of medication, and from there I became very depressed. I spent a month out of school mostly staying in my room crying all day, and seriously considering ending my life. I finally began a combination of home-schooling and attending private school.

I currently am extremely concerned for my health and self-esteem. I feel like a different person than the one I see in the mirror - and sometimes, I can't even find any clothes to fit me in my closet. My life has become very sad, at times.

I signed up with the gym Curves, and I am finally ready to make some changes. I just thought having support would be a lovely thing, too.

So I'm happy to meet all of you. It's good to know that someone else feels the way I do.

Hi Hayley and welcome to 3FC!

Congrats for taking control of your health and good luck with your goals :cheer:

Hugs
Michelle

Welcome to 3fc!

I felt very similarly in high school. I'm so glad you've decided to do this.

A couple of pieces of advice:

Just keep going! You eat too much &/or skip exercising one day? No big deal--just get back on the horse the next day.

Don't push yourself too hard too fast. I always started exercising every spare moment and severely limiting my calories when I tried at your age. It didn't work--I got tired of it, and my body didn't like it. Listen to people here if they suggest you up your calories or moderate your exercising. This has to be sustainable!

Be patient with yourself.

We're here for you.

I hope I don't seem to pushy, but these are the things I wish I had heard when I was your age. I"m sure people told me similar things, but I never heard them. I want you to feel good about yourself because I remember all the bad feelings you talked about from my own history.

Great step signing up here. It's one of the best things I've ever done.

Welcome Hayley and good luck ! Congratulations on starting with Curves, I did that and it was a great help to me . I think you are wise to start now, it only gets harder as you get older! Keep posting , there is all kinds of help for you in these forums.

Hello, Hayley, and welcome to the forums. I wish you success in achieving your goals.

Hayley! Welcome! I think this is a great place to start! Im new here as well. I want you to know that you can acheive anything. And I want you to realize how beautiful you are! LETS DO THIS TOGETHER!

Welcome, Hayley! You've come to right place for support. Congratulations on taking two big steps -- joining Curves and joining 3FC!

Hi and welcome to 3FC, Hayley.

I had a rough time all throughout my school years too,- I was taller than everyone, had really curly hair and was always fat or chubby, so needless to say I didn't fit in. I also had suicidal thoughts throughout my HS years and had kids threatening to kill me, and since it was before Columbine- the teachers, principals and school didn't take the threats seriously. Eventually I had to drop out and just get my GED because it became too much to deal with everyday.

:hug: Congrats on starting so early, keep coming around, you'll find lots of advice and support here.

Thank you all so much! :carrot:
I'm so excited!

:welcome: How awesome that you are doing this NOW - with so much of your life ahead of you.

The best years are yet to be. What a wonderful gift to yourself to change your lifestyle NOW so that you can make the most of them :D

Welcome to this amazing site! I was 18 when I started losing weight, and I was 317 pounds, so I know how you feel. Throughout school, I was tormented because of my weight, and I know how you feel about the confidence slump. What we are trying to do, is possible. Through all of the wonderful people on this forum, you can do this. If you need help, or just want to talk, feel free to message me. Good luck.

Welcome, and remember that you can do it! I think it's kind of like golf (at least how I play), just keep hitting the ball in the right direction. You'll eventually knock it right in!

Hi Hayley... I'm Haley... I never meet many people with my name... anyways when I started losing weight I was 290 however I never felt like the fat kid and I was never made fun of (I know you all think I am so lucky) however in that sense I didnt know I really had a problem... I never looked in the mirror and saw the fat girl...I always thought I was pretty cute but maybe I am impartial. This forum offers so much help and I wish you the best of luck. Exercising will also make you feel so much better...sounds crazy but you will feel energized eventually... If you ever need anything feel free to message me... I have learned a lot on my journey

Welcome to the group!

I do know how you feel, I ended up with anxiety/depression under the same circumstances from Jr High to High School. Not to mention a horrible stomach ulcer.

So if you ever need any support, shoot me an IM. I wish you the best!

Jeff

:hug: Thanks for all of the support. I know I'll love it here. :hug:

Hello! I'm around your age (I'm 18) and I can definitely relate to everything you said. I also struggle with depression and low self-esteem. I was never made fun of by the people around me, but I made up for it by tormenting myself. I can't imagine how much more painful it would have been if other people had contributed to it.

I hope you can find the support you're looking for here.... everyone is very helpful and gives really great advice. Seeing so many success stories really makes it easier for me to get motivated, so I hope it has the same effect on you. :D

Best of luck with your goals!

I have definitely learned the hard way that doing things alone is too much .. see, usually I am very independent. With my weight, however, I need a little encouragement from somewhere! This looks like a great place to find it. :)

I also am a Curves member! LOVE it!!

Hey!! Welcome to 3fc and try to forget what people have said about you just focus about what you have to say about yourself and what you can do to make yourself better. Only you can change yourself and control your own body, so I'm glad you are taking steps to success. I'm a noob myself and what I just said is basically what I felt I have learned from my fellow 3fc members they all have been a great help to me and I know you are definitely in the right place for support because the people here have made me believe that I can lead a healthy new lifestyle that I can commit to. If you ever need anyone to chat to I'm open up for chat just private message me I'll be happy if I get a message from you cause the more friends I make on here, the more I feel accountable and so will you =) Have fun and good luck!

way to go!
 

Congratulations on your new start! Good for you to do it now. I am 33, and have been a slightly chubby to obese person since I was younger. I had leaner times when I lost "baby fat".....then puberty hit. It was hips, thighs and breasts......oh my!

I have struggled for a long time too with self confidence. I have been put down plenty of times in the past also. People suck, and are dumb is the conclusion I come to. I hear on a daily basis the doctors and nurses I work with making derogatory comments about our more overweight patients......and they do it right in front of me. :( It pisses me off and makes me want to treat those patients with even more respect.

Be strong.....and be proud of who you are, and for taking on this journey! That is amazing that you were able to make a change. And even the smallest things count.

As other posters said, you are beautiful. Remember that every day. Think of the good things you can offer to friends and others around you. Most importantly, think of the things you can offer yourself.....love, self respect, encouragment and understanding.

I have come along way in the last 8 years......and have done some back sliding from time to time. :mad: But, learning to respect me.....and finally realize the things I am capable of,and the good I can do....it was a great experience. I hope you are able to do the same.

Good luck!

((hugs))

you made a few great first steps. this is an awesome support group and joining curves will help keep you accountable! keep on posting!

Welcome to 3FC! I'm glad you're here! Surf around and settle in. We have forums based on age, eating plan, exercise & more!

Be sure to check out the 20 something forum (we don't card at the door)! You can do this!