[inspired by you]

Hi everyone,
I have been lurking on the site for a few weeks now and have been very impressed by the support and the achievements. Just thought I would start out sharing a little of my story, so here goes...

I grew up with a (weight) controlling father. When I was 13 I weighed about 135-40 and my father told me i was getting a little chunky so I needed to workout every night. I lost the weight and spent the next few years between 95-105 lbs. at 16 I married a very (weight) controlling man who insisted I work out and watched every bite i put in my mouth and threatened to leave if i gained weight. Over the 14 years with him my weight yo-yoed. Not to extremes but still too much for him. I got as high as 160. I lost back down to 118 and then went up to 140 and it was just too much for him. I panicked with every pound I gained. Eventually the marriage ended and I told him then that I would gain weight and find a man who loved me fat and would appreciate it when I lost weight, not expect it. well, little did I know i was setting myself up for failure. I did gain weight, I found a man who loves me very much, but all at the cost of my self esteem.

I graduated from university 2 years ago with a degree in health promotion but because of my weight I am too embarrassed to get a job. I just keep thinking that the people will look at me and wonder how I can help others focus on their health when I am by no means the poster child of good health. I am tired all the time, I am uncomfortable in my own skin. I keep asking myself how did I let it get to this point and I still don't know. It doesnt help that my current husband is an excellent cook and lives a very sedate lifestyle.

I'm just miserable and venting I guess. I carry the majority of my weight in my stomach so I look like I'm 8 months pregnant and I am so tired of people asking me when I'm due. I started going to the gym a few weeks ago and I'm watching what I eat. I have lost 5 pounds so far. I still cant believe it. I check the scales every day just to see if they were fibbing the day before.

Some how I ran across this site. Not even sure where. It was a banner on another site and I thought it was a joke. Then i started surfing the site and Ive been back almost every day. I love the support here and I hope I can be a productive part of the community. I look forward to joining you all on my way back to a healthy and happier life.

p.s. thanks for listening to my rant

[GONNABE165]

glad you stumbled upon us.

[Jennifer 3FC]

I'm so glad you decided to post! It stinks that we have to deal with appearances so much, and I understand your fears about applying for a job. Maybe you could check out the workplace and see how the other staff look? Most of the trainers at my gym have spare tires. And I've had several overweight and even obese doctors. Maybe it doesn't matter as much as you fear it does? On any count, you're doing a great job at getting the weight off, and I bet you'll be feeling confident enough in no time!

I'm looking forward to seeing you around the boards!

[fattgirl]

Welcome inspired!
I too am uncomfortable in my skin and tired all the time. I just joined last month. I have found a tremendous amount of support and great ideas here. Have faith in yourself. Weight issues may seem like the end of the world, but they can always be reversed.
What matters is not what other people think about you, but how you view yourself. As you shed the pounds you'll gain confidence.

[pplady24]

Hi all...
I can relate to many stories here on this site and I know the pain of the fat struggle...I have been fighting the "fat war" since I was a kid. When I was 12 years old my parents sent me to "fat camp" where I lost weight easily because it was so controlled. As soon as I got home, my weight shot back up while my self esteem hit rock bottom...While in High School I starved myself and lost weight and have kept the majority of it off since then...almost 20 years! BUT It's the last 20 to 30 lbs that I want off..I want to be able to tuck a shirt in and wear a knit dress..I am on Weight Watchers and I finally quit drinking alcohol and smoking. I did this cold turkey 40 days ago because I became so sick of myself! As a musician, I am always playing in bars and am always drinking booze! That's at least an extra 3000/3500 calories a week! So far I have lost 7 lbs and it's coming off slowly..but nothing happens overnight and I'm sticking to it!
So my message to everyone is HANG IN THERE! Let's keep supporting eachother and remember to take care of yourself, we're all we got!
Thanks
pplady24

[raw23]

Welcome ladies!

[clickchick]

Welcome Inspired! What a story you've told...I feel for you.

The good part is - it only gets better from here! I promise!

[CountingDown]

So glad you found us! 3FC is a really great support system on your journey. You CAN do this! Really!!! Add in activity slowly (I use workout DVDs) and find a plan that works for you. Keep tweaking as you go, learning what works for you. It really is a journey and you have done the hardest thing by taking those first steps.

I look forward to reading of your progress! Post often and let us know how you are doing