Hi, I'm Kate

  • I guess that you have figured out I'm new
    I'm 17, and have been struggling with my weight for years.
    All of the women in my family have weight issues, and I am hoping to break the cycle of heart problems and obesity in my family.
    I have lost about 30lbs already using a low-carb diet, but I am considering counting calories instead from here on out, because I don't like meat, and I can only handle so much cheese and nuts.
    2 years ago, I took a job working at an escrow company that a family member owned. When I first began, I was about 5'7 and weighed about 110lbs. I was the healthiest I had ever been, was running 3 miles a day and generally felt great. The job took its toll on me, with many lunches/dinners being greasy fast food. When I started the job, I was told that I would become owner/operator of the company when I turned 18, and to get as much training as I could, I moved in with that family member, who has severe mood swings, and who became verbally abusive.
    I gained about 70lbs in the year I worked there. I am an emotional eater, and when I saw the company was going under, and the family member became more angry at the world and me, I just used food to numb myself.

    Its been about a year since the company closed and I moved home, and I have lost 30lbs.
    I hope to lose another 30-40lbs, depending on what feels "right"

    I am 5'8 and very, very small boned.
  • Hey Kate,

    I know you say that you're small boned, but your goal weight of 110 pounds at 5'8" puts you at a BMI of 16.7. Anything below 18.5 is medically defined as underweight. Being underweight has many health risks, so I'd really encourage you to speak with a doctor or other health professional about your goal weight to see if he or she agrees it is reasonable. The BMI scale is meant to take in a wide variety of bone structures, so it would be rare to be so small-boned that your healthy weight falls almost 2 BMI points below the healthy range.

    That being said, We have many forums to investigate, including a Calorie Counters forum and the 20-somethings, for those in their 20's (they don't check IDs, so it might be the place to go).

    Can't wait to hear more from you soon!
  • Thank you! Its actually very, very nice to that you called me out on that, I don't want to give off the wrong message (I would much rather be healthy than thin).
    I should have posted that I have spoken to my doctor about my weight, and I will definitely be in contact with my doctor as I lose weight. I do believe that 120lbs will be my ideal weight, but if I am happy at 130 I will definitely stop there.