Yup, A Newbie... - 3 Fat Chicks on a Diet Weight Loss Community

junebug41 · 02-01-2006, 01:30 PM

Hello!

I wanted to introduce myself to you wonderful folks! I have been lurking for a bit and would like to share my story. I also want to tell you all how wonderful it has been reading your words and hearing your stories- you are all incredibly motivating and brave!

I had been overweight my entire life. By entire, I mean that one of my first memories is being at the doctor so she could put me on a diet. I was always the "fat girl" in school (and I was let know on a constant basis). My weight was often the first vairable I would figure into any situation. It's like being in a constant state of paranoia. Anytime I would try to lose, I would fail miserably. no matter what I did, I couldn't drop a single pound. Also, I had 80+ pounds to lose. To me, that was an impossible task. I rationalized that "sure, if it's 20, 30, 40, no problem! But this is 80 LBS!"

Anyway, in March of 2004, I shattered my ankle at work. At about the same time, my doctor put me on birth control to deal with a hormonal imbalance (ruptured cysts, etc...) I was laid up and hurtin'- I was depressed! I lived alone and getting up to prepare a meal was a laughable prospect. But as I began to heal and get up and around, I noticed something. I was feeling oddly comfortable in my clothes. Almost 2 months later, I got up enough courage to step on my friend's scale, and-oh dear God- I had lost 35 pounds. Just like that. It was as though something had clicked at that moment and I knew I could do it. Once I was able to start working out again, I got really serious about it. I was lucky that the first half came off without a fight. But I fought for every ounce of the other half. My doctor was amazed. Where many people who get hurt gain weight, I had managed to lose 80 pounds that had been accumilating over 20 years.

I reached my goal in November of 2005 (well, more than that if you count the 170 pounds of bad boyfriend that I lost) and I still fight every single day. But I can't go back. It just feels too damn good.

I can't wait to join you in your laughter, tears, and stories. It feels so very good to have a place to let go all of this stuff that I have experienced that no one around me can understand.

Take Care,
Jen

fat1outof3 · 02-02-2006, 07:57 AM

Congratulations on your success. Your story is very inspiring.

My story is a little bit similar as far as growing up being bigger than both of my sisters and constantly being reminded of it by many family members. I went to my mother's house the other day trying to find any pictures of me when I could have possibly been skinny. The farthest back I had to go was a picture of me when I was around 15. I can remember that even when I was 15, I was still getting picked on about my weight from my family just because my sisters were always thinner than me. I keep that photo on my refrigerator as a reminder that I looked good then, although I was only 15. I don't think that people understand what we're going through. My husband recently asked me if I was trying to lose weight so that I would be "hot" and leave him. He doesn't understand that I'm doing this to feel good about myself and be healthier. We've been trying to get pregnant for almost 3 years with no success. I want to lose weight to improve my chances of getting pregnant and be healthier when I do.

I just wish people would say to me, "Jen, you look great and I'm proud of your accomplishment."

That's why I joined this forum. Everyone understands eachother and we're not alone.

junebug41 · 02-02-2006, 08:15 AM

There is definitely a fine line between "Oh my GOD you are SO skinny let me gawk and embarass you!" and "that's quite amazing and I'm proud of you". Unfortunately, my family leans on the gawking side. But you aren't doing it for them. You are doing it for you- and that baby that's soon to come if you keep it up.

fat1outof3 · 02-02-2006, 08:29 AM

You and I seem to come from the same family. Thanks for the encouragement.

junebug41 · 02-02-2006, 09:34 AM

I just read a post of yours in another thread and your are right- we come from the same family!

It was about your aunt saying something to you at a gathering about losing weight. I remember when I was about 11 or so and my old Jewish grandfather from New York pulled me aside and asked me to lose some weight because him and my grandmother didn't have a whole lot of years left! I'm still horrified when I think about that- horrified for him, that is.

It's funny. I have graciously accepted the commments and compliments for the most part, but when I hear it from my family (except my mom who was the only one who didn't make me feel like less of a person), I just can't get comfortable with it. But like I said, I'm not an overly self conscious kid anymore. It's in my hands from here on out. I really hope you get pregnant. You deserve to make it right for your own children, you know?

fat1outof3 · 02-02-2006, 09:57 AM

You are absolutely right about it being in our hands now. I have learned to accept the comments that come from my family but am more looking forward to the compliments that are to come.

maegdaeien · 02-02-2006, 06:00 PM

It sucks that in order to believe you could do it, you had to break your foot. Funny that something so bad can spur on something so amazing!

I know what you mean about it sounding like an impossible task; I was alwayas an overweight kid too and eventually I realized that I had to lose around 50 pounds to be in the healthy weight range. It sounded absolutely impossible. But I figured it's better to try to lose 50 than to wait and eventually have to try to lose 75 or 100. But the fact that you've actually lost that much... wow!!