I'm on day 2 but I haven't had the courage to weigh myself.... I don't think I have for about a year but I know I am pushing around the 230 range. Ideally, I'd like to loose 100 lbs but I read an article in Lifetime tonight about women that had lost up to 200 lbs. Most of them had to have plastic surgery to remove the excess skin.

I am being positive in that I am steadfast in my 100 goal but worried about this possible side effect. Is this just an extreme or is it something that I should worry about???

My goal in this is to be normal... you know... one of those people that walk down the street and people DON'T pay attention to??? I guess my wake up call came when this guy leaned out of his car as I was walking down main street to tell me how fat I was. I guess I'd forgotten because I wasn't in highschool anymore where people comment about it all the time. I had a good group of friends in college and work with a lot of nice people. This coupled with a wonderful new hubby who makes me feel beautiful-- I guess I just forgot I'm not a normal size.

While I'm letting this all out... I might as well let it all out!!! I don't know if I've ever really admitted this to anyone-- especially myself! I was in a car accident right after I graduated from highschool-- an 18 wheeler pulled out infront of me and my whole car went under his trailer. I still have massive scars on my chest and on the right side of my chin/ neck to show for it. I've been paranoid about them-- but not as much about my weight lately until my wonderful rubbernecker decided to give me an earful.

At any rate... the visible scars are beginning to lighten and makeup almost completely covers them. Now I want to make the rest of me fit in. I want to stand out because of my personality ...not my body. I want that part to just fit in.

Thanks for listening!!!

What I've gathered is that if you lose the weight too quickly, there will be excess skin. I've lost 53 in one year and one month and no skin. I keep up with my excersising [at least, I try to] and keep toned. But there is still the posibility that this will happen.

I am also sorry to hear about the accident. There are some mean, mean people out there. And you know what, I am kind of oen of them. While not verbal about it -- those comments were one of the reasons I decided to get healthy. I constantly compare myself to other women, skinny or not...

But people have no right to insult you. And you know what? This will your sweet revenge! I would love to say don't listen to them, but I can't.

Because I did.

Wow people in this world disgust me. I don't just tell people their pants are horrible or they are ugly, not many people do...but a lot of people find that there is no problem in commenting on someones weight. It is kind of disturbing. I remember when I was 11, a group of twenty somethings yelled WIDE LOAD as I was walking by. Now come on, I was a CHILD and they were *mature* enough to say something like that to me. I just don't understand people.

So I am sorry you had to go through that in your adult life. I think that is why I never look anyone in the eye when I walk down the street, afraid they will say something mean. And that is not fair. For anyone

Your accident sounds horrible but I am glad you shared it with us, hopefully it relieved something of what you were feeling. We are there for your venting!

As for the skin thing, some people do have that problem but maybe since you are younger while doing this, it won't require surgery, just remember to exercise to tone. While some skin might be left on all of us, we are all still beautiful, worth of loads of love and respect. Plus we'll be healthy.

Thanks for sharing

Oh, Nette, I'm so sorry, sweetie. That man is a PIG!
There are some excellent threads around here on skin surgery, but I wouldn't worry about that. Like Jenn and Steph said, it may not be an issue for you. Just concentrate on YOU. Eat well, get in some exercise for toning, and take good care of your mental health. No one can make you feel badly unless you let them. Hold your head high, hon... you're DOING something for your health!

Thanks Ellis, Steph and Jenn!!! It felt soooo good to admit stuff to myself outloud/ online! I've only been here two days and you all have been so supportive! Last week, I tried to start eating right but I made myself think I couldn't do it because I couldn't give up all the carbs I love. I'm glad I found place at exactly the same time I began my life change. Know I know I can do it.... you guys are living proof that if you stick with it you can do anything you put your mind to!!!!

Back to my Lemon Dill grilled chicken lunch!!!!

Mean people Suck!

I hate people like that. If everyone in this world could be like the people on this board I would be in heaven!

The perfect rebuttal is "oh yeah, well you are ugly and I will lose weight!"

Goodness, this clerk at Safeway the other day was picking on this college graduate wearing a University sweatshirt (over her career choice!) and boy did I let him have it. I am sick of people voicing their idiotic opinions! Whatever happened to "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all".

Gosh and another thing. Why is it that these gorgeous size 2 women on TV are married to these overweight dopey guys? Ex: King of Queens, According to Jim, etc. Oh wait...that is another rant.

But because of the simple fact that we are female for some reason seems like the whole world is entitled to comment on our every flaw. Well I am about ready to shut them all up. Maybe there should be a new rule that if somebody is mean we make them eat a cicada!

Adrianna, you are joining the ranks of people like Ellis who just make me laugh and laugh! Absolutely. It's not like we are running out of cicadas or mean people. Let's just put the two of them together and voila!

Nette! You've only been here a short time but I can already tell what a kind and special soul you are! What an awful thing for anyone to do! That man obviously has some serious issues of his own and we should pity him and send lots of prayers his way. He obviously has no one to love him.

You, on the other hand, have lots of support! Those scars can be taken care of, and if you have excess skin, it can definitely be hidden under clothes, and it can be permanently taken care of too. Not to worry! Have you tried Mederma for your scars? Vitamin E oil (pure, not in a lotion) works well with scars, too. But you know, scars are just part of life...my MIL has a huge one on her chest from open heart surgery, a friend has one across her throat from an emergency tracheotomy, and another has terrible ones all over her face from burns. But her bright blue eyes shine and she is beautiful. : I think you could get rid of the scars if you wanted. But I think you could also come to see them as a record of your strength in facing a terrifying situation and surviving. I am so sorry you went through that accident. That is awful! But I hope that you can find lots of joy now as you focus on getting healthy and on being happy!

I felt the same way about carbs, and coming here has helped me see that living without as many as I used to have is totally possible! This group is so energizing!

I agree completely adrianna!!!!! Mean people do suck!!!! I never said I was mature in handling the passerby.... I had a few choice words of my own that also refered to "size" <<Evil giggle>> No better way to hurt a man's feelings. He got his head way back in the car after that. My reply in Highschool was always: "Well, I can ultimately lose weight, but your ugly and stupid for life. Kinda sucks doesn't it?"

Thank you so much Laurie!!!! You are such a sweety. I've only been here 3 days but I fell like I've been here for years you all are so supportive!!! I have tried Mederma and have undergone 2 plastic surgeries on the scars on my face/ neck. They have faded away enough that a little green conceiler and foundation almost covers them. My PS said that the last resort would be a skin graft but 5 surgeries in a period of like 2 years was enough for me.... my non-existant, rolling veins wouldn't cooperate with the IV anymore. The scars on my chest are covered as long as I don't wear any low cut clothing which I wouldn't anyway-- my seatbelt saved my life but it also dislocated my collarbone and altered my breast a bit. I've very paranoid about it but everyone I've ever confided in told me they never would have noticed if I had not said anything so that is good!!! Their excuse is its not like most women's breasts are equally proportioned anyway!!! But it makes buying bra's a pain in the neck!!!!

Now that I think about it-- my wedding dress was scooped neck and the scars didn't show. I was quiet scarless-- and shoeless-- the entire day!

Ah, Nette, I bet you made a beautiful bride! :

Sorry to hear that the scars haven't faded as much as you have wanted. But I have a feeling that you have enough self confidence to bear them with pride. Try the vitamin E oil...can't hurt, might help.

So glad you gave that man a piece of your mind! I never have the wit to answer back, so you threw one for all the girls that can't fight back that day. Thanks!

Nette- I think if you exercise while dieting it will help to tone you up...the excess skin thing doesn't necessarily happen to everyone and if you do get some it can be removed but you should cross that bridge when you come to it - for now focus on your plan, goals and exercising and take one day at a time.

As for your scars I have been putting vitamin e on cuts and minor burns for years and put it on my husband's shoulder after his operation and it helped - he still has the scar but his doctor said it healed a lot quicker and wasn't as bad as it could have been. It may or may not help but it certainly can't hurt to try it. You have to use the pure oil though -creams don't work as well. What I did was buy a bottle of vitamin e capsules from the drugtore (it was cheaper that the bottle of pure oil), then you just snip one of the ends off the capsule and squeeze the oil out. You can put it on before going to bed at night and just wear an old t-shirt so it doesn't get on the bed sheets.

Just think that people usually insult or put down others because of their own insecurities. They are the one with the problem not you! I know it is hurtful when people say mean things to you but you have to try to ignore them. I have turned this around by pitying them - thinking " How sad for that person to be so insecure that they have to hurt others to make themselves feel better " Bless them and move on. Sort of a forgive them for they no not what they do approach. I find that when I do that I actually feel better because I let go of my own negative feelings towards that person. I know it sounds kind of hokey but it does work

Good luck with your weight loss journey

Success and happiness are the greatest forms of revenge. I have also endured many horrible insults throughout my life, and still hear a few 'whispered' ones, usually followed by loud laughing. I also have skin problems which I am very self concious about and am currently working on eliminating. Try to use the nasty comments to your advantage to motivate you to improve yourself, so rather than letting them have the satisfaction of bringing you down, you will actually become better and better. I know it isn't always easy, and honestly sometimes I am so upset when I look in the mirror in the morning I do not even want to leave the house for a few days.