In spite of my weight:


1) My husband still loves me even though I was skinny when I met him.
2) I've had great jobs.
3) I've gone to graduate school.
4) I hiked in Bryce Canyon.
5) I'm a physically strong person and have a lot of stamina.

-I started my own business
-I earned my MBA while working f/t
-I go to parties and socialize
-People come to me for advice
-I have great friends who love me no matter what size I am
-I speak in front of groups
-I hike
-I got out of a bad marriage
-My clothes are flattering to my coloring and shape
-I have learned to stand up for myself and value myself
-I've traveled and gone on adventures

YES!!! What an awesome thread!

In spite of my weight, I am learning to ballroom dance, and doing pretty good with it! (Got many compliments when I went dancing Sat nite!)
I cannot tell you how freeing it is to dance! I worried about being 300 plus and dancing in public, but now I don't give a rip!

In spite of my weight...

I'm getting my BA in Media and Journalism

I taught myself how to do vector art

I make a point of being creative everyday in some way, shape or form

I'm not "settling" anymore...got rid of the toxic "friends", which is hard when you think they're all you've got. And it's okay that I'm still single. I figure I'm not quite finished with myself, but when I am, I can do things on my terms, rather than buying into some warped negative projections from SABOTEURS.

In some strange, weird way I don't think I'd be as resilient, patient, learned and enligtened as I am today if it weren't for this particular struggle...

Great idea! I could post in the other thread but I'm choosing to be more positive today & will post here.

-have great, supportive friends
-have a solid, supportive marriage with a wonderful man
-lifeguarded for years & am respected in that "world"
-go swimming or to the beach anytime I can & wear my bathingsuit
-have a positive impact on the lives of girls in my community through girl guides
-try new things when I get the opportunity
-am moving to Costa Rica to try on a new life

Too cool! When? Where will you be living? Are you planning a permanent move?

this is a great thread.

in spite of my weight i have:

1. a man who loves me, cares about me, and i can't get enough of him.
2. great friends who don't judge me
3. gone back to the leisure centre for swimming with my bf and a good friend, even though i hate how i look in a bathing suit
4. a great job where the people are very nice and i actually got a promotion! (i didn't think i'd last there)
5. a life...

I'm sitting here crying as I read, even tho I love this thread. I have been afraid to learn to row or kayak - will I fit, will people make fun of me? I have been dying to ride my bike which has been in storage for 5 years. In a month or so, when it's cooler out, I'm gonna start riding it around. And if the nieghbors don't like the view of my behind, they can kiss my fat ***.
That's what I got out of this thread. Here's what I have to give:

BECAUSE OF MY WEIGHT, I have grown into a much deeper. more compassionate person that I ever was in my type A, high powered, skinny life before. I was never dismissive of the heavy people I knew - I worked with some very heavy people, whom I respected, and have had several family members, whom I love, fight this battle too. But I was dismissive and judgmental of strangers based on appearances. Never rude - but quick to judge. I am so much more open to everyone now.
Because of my weight, I am a more decent person. I'm giving up the weight, but not my depth!!!! LOL.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to this thread - It really helped me (sob, sob.)

*hugs* Ginger... Just to let you know...

In spite of my weight,

I ride my bicycle whenever I can! Every year I ride a bike tour with my Mom (and about 1500 other people). I've ridden at my highest weight (350) and I still ride now (242). I have had nothing but encouragement from strangers and other riders. Dust off that bicycle!!

Ohhhhh and I paddled a canoe at my highest weight on my landlady's lake. You can do it!!

Luv,
Ratkity

in spite of my weight, ive always had friends, boyfriends and a pretty active social life. in spite of my weight ive always been one to speak my mind and get things done. in spite of my weight, ive always tried to dress according to my own sense of fashion, rather than hide behind all things dark and drab.

Okay I have to ask, how can you manage it? Like on your backside? I've tried getting on a bike and I felt like I was going to split in two.. I thought about getting a bigger seat but I was afraid they didn't make any tractor size seats for my bum.. :P Do you use a special kind and if so where can I find it?

Vamp, I went to a bike store and got a big mamma jamma seat for my bike. It's nice and wide and padded and cost about $35.00. I'm sorry, I can't remember the brand, but I like it.

Other ladies on here have glowing praise for the "Easy Seat" by Hobson. Do a google or yahoo search and you'll find it. It kind of has two seats, one for each cheek, and is adjustable in width. Larger ladies than you on here use it and love it.

In spite of my weight:

I was a racing skipper on my own boat, and crewed for others. I crewed on the Pacific Cup from SF to Hawaii, and when I got there I learned to scuba dive, and got an open water certification.

I worked my way into a job making very good moneyl, and I bought a house all by myself -- twice!

I made enough from one of them to retire in the other one.

I have lived on a 44' sailboat, and raced it from SF to
Santa Barbara. I rewired it from stem to stern, keel to masthead, all by myself -- 12V and 110V.

In my present little house (half the size of the one I sold), I tore out the carpet and installed a laminate floor in every room except the bathroom. I tore out the bathroom to the studs and rebuilt it with new fixtures, with only some help with plumbing from my brother. I did all the tile, walls nad floor.

I paid cash for my last 3 new cars. Cash I earned myself!

I am finally no longer a love addict -- I am just fine and happy by myself! By choice, even! I am now picky, and won't go out with/get horizontal with just anybody who asks.

I go to the gym every day, and hot men flirt with me because they like women who like working out, no matter what they weigh, and being 57 doesn't seem to be a factor. I think it's something about seeing a woman sweat...lol!

Vamp,

Terry makes bicycles and bike seats just for women (terrybicycles.com). Most people don't understand that the more plump a rear is, the more you slide/bounce around and get sore. It has nothing to do with padding, but where your tail bones are centered. The more you ride, the more tough yer tail will be. The other unfortunate thing is that most women try to ride on a man's seat (the standard seats on road bikes). It takes me 2-3 rides of 10miles each at the beginning of the season to condition my rear.

Hope the info helps!! The website is way cool.
[edit: Look under their PLUS section.. they have great comfy padded shorts and great shirts for us big and beautiful cyclists!!]

Luv,
Ratkity

Thanks ladies! ^_^