[RideRunRepeat]

I'm really nervous about putting myself out here like this. But I'm willing and ready to do what it takes. So hi! Thanks everyone who takes the time to read through this...this is my story and thank you for allowing me to share it.

I'm 21 years old and really for as long as I can remember struggle with poor body image that eventually turned into food addiction/emotional overeating in my early teens. I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease called Hashimoto's disease, fibromyalgia, hypoglycemia, and metabolic syndrome when I was eighteen. Because of the Hashimoto's disease I was forced to get rid of all gluten from my diet, but because of that I literally went crazy with the sugar and carbs. I became desperate the year I turned nineteen when I reached my heaviest of 190lbs.

The whole year of 2012 and the beginning of 2013 I became truly committed to loosing weight and dropped 60 pounds to my goal weight of 130lbs. I did it by counting my calories religiously (only about 1000 cal a day). When I was loosing weight I really didn't have much energy but once I lost it all, I was able to add in that extra bit so I could have my energy back.

At the beginning of last year for the first time in my entire life I was actually healthy and thin. I was running 5ks every morning, had completely cut out all sugar, honey, syrup, refined starches/carbs and only had limited amounts of grains. Basically a strict Paleo diet (including no dairy).

I lived in this happy, healthy state for about 3 1/2 months...then one day through a series of events one of my closest friends humiliated and used me and I distinctly remember standing there one day feeling extremely vulnerable, empty and I honestly had no idea how to cope. Went home and stuffed my face. After that it really was a roller coaster of emotions as I began packing on the pounds countered by trying desperately to loose it. But all my confidence was gone, and I would fail and emotionally binge again. But by the end of the summer I started to get my bearings again by the encouragement of my family and closest friends and build up my confidence. This fall I was at a weight of 140 -145lbs, but began loosing it and running again. Then by the end of fall, I was hammered by relationship issues that really completely overturned my world and in 3 weeks gained 20lbs.

Since December I've been maintaining my weight of 165lbs, but I'm ready...I want to find myself again. I know the real me is in there somewhere. For the first time in about 8 months I feel free and strong again. I'm putting the past behind me...because I'm not going to let it define me anymore. I've really figured out tha t that old person who used to emotionally binge and had such low self esteem because I couldn't do anything...she really isn't me anymore. I feel like the new me...the me who LOVES eating healthy, feeling healthy, and going on long hard runs...she's just waiting to come back. Haha if that sounds weird I apologize...I don't know how else do describe it.

The only thing is I know I need some support. Some accountability and the knowledge that there are others on the same path and understand where I'm at.
So that's why I'm signing up here.

So. Thank you. If anyone wants and accountability partner I'm 100% committed and would love to join you in that...in fact...if we started a little personal group I think that would be even better! Thanks!

[cdavidowsky37]

and on your first step to becoming the person you love to be!

You'll find a HUGE support group here, with tons of people to help you in just about every aspect of your life that you can imagine. There's forums for your diet, any medical issues you may have, your lifestyle, and even random threads to talk about absolutely nothing. We literally have it all and the best part is, we're all working to conquer the same thing.

I'd love to be an accountability partner with you! Where I live now, I don't know anyone trying to lose weight or get back into shape who I can truly lean on, so I often come here to find that connection every day.

Again, welcome to 3FC and I hope you have a fantastic journey!

[RideRunRepeat]

Thank you soo much!!! I'd love that! I tried finding a place for private messaging but couldn't...either way I'd love to connect and keep each other motivated and encouraged!

[shaping nz]

Welcome! I'm sure many people here can relate to your story! It doesn't sound weird at all! Keep us all posted and you will have unlimited support!

[RideRunRepeat]

Thank you shaping!

[Mad Donnelly]

Wow, that is quite a lot you've gone through. You've done a lot at 21 and you're still here before you've completely lost yourself again. That is GREAT!

Hard to do at your age but don't let all those outside things affect your self esteem so much. You know what you've done and none of what other people say or do matters. When people do that to you, it really says more about them than it does you. In fact, remove those people from your life. Sounds trite but it's really true that if they were friends, they wouldn't try to humiliate you.

I wish I had done for my body what you've done at your age. I actually think you're probably in a really good place. It's normal to struggle with the emotional things you're struggling with at your age as you try to figure out what your life is going to be. You are doing great.

[Terra1984]

Welcome 2 The Forum

[RideRunRepeat]

Thank you Terra!! It's been super supportive and helpful so far!