First off, I must commend Suzanne, Jennifer, and Amy for this excellent website! It takes a lot of moxy to pull together something so personal, the information is excellent, and the design of this site is quite beautiful and easy to navigate through.
My name is Jasmine. I am 27 years old, and up to two years ago I have struggled with my weight. Some say it is a genetic/metabolism thing, but I have found that it's more that I'm food-obsessed.
When I was a child, I did not have troubles with my weight at first. That changed after the year my parents divorced when I turned 9. My father was abusive to my mom, and after she left him he got abusive with me. Afterwards, he'd always feel guilty and take me out for ice cream or donuts. Eating for him was a coping mechanism that he had learned from his family. To this day, despite the fact he hikes an intense 2-4 miles a day, he is obese and has high blood pressure.
By the time I was 10, I had become overweight. I got teased alot in school, and it just made me want to eat more. When I got into high school I joined the track team and managed to get down from 140 to 125lb. this may not appear overweight to some, but I'm a very small person to begin with (5'1", fine-boned).
When I got into college, I started eating a lot of junk and spent a substantial amount of time on the computer for my major (Graphic Design). I gained 25 pounds in two years. I got engaged to a man with psychological problems, and became depressed after a living with him for a year. I started seeing a psychologist, and was prescribed Paxil. It made me drop 30 pounds, but most professionals never tell people that such drugs will mess up your metabolism and make you gain back weight and then some. After being on it for two years, I ballooned out to 175 lbs.
I felt worthless and disabled. The lowest point of it all, was when I went to get a physical, went to hoist myself onto a waiting table, and found that it actually hurt to do so. I dumped my fiance, quit the medication, and lost about 20 pounds. Three months later I started to date a chef (whoops). Like many chefs, he liked to cook restaurant portions and always cooked with lots of real butter. I think he also had a thing for heavier women. I could never drop any lower than 160.
This wouldn't have been a big deal for me, except I did not feel good about myself. The extra weight was hard on me, and I missed doing active things I used to. We broke up after I found out he was cheating on me with some scrawny blonde hostess from his work. At this time I was laid off from work, too.
I had to move in with my parents (something I didn't care for). Despite the fact I wanted a job and my financial indepence again, I found that living with my folks had a major advantage...I got exercise! My mom owns a 3.5 acre very hilly farmlette, and she said that I was welcome to stay with them as long as I contributed to chores. Every day I had to walk up and down a very tall hill to feed her two horses. It gave me strength, and I loved spending time with the horses. My stepfather was great at cooking, but unlike my ex, he cooked very low-fat meals. Within six months, I had a new job and I had lost 40 pounds!
It's been two years since that happened and my weight has stabilized at 108 lbs. Last year I became a vegetarian. I had already lost all my weight after cutting out most red meats and dairy products (ate tofu instead for calcium), but I decided to wean off chicken. I still eat lots of eats and seafood for protein and taste (can't give up sushi). This year I'm strengthening my body by training to run a marathon in October.
Changing my diet and getting involved in physical activities did wonders, but the biggest contribution to my weight loss has been knowledge, determination and--above all--patience. The physical stuff works differently for each individual (there is no such thing as a "perfect diet/weight loss program for all"). It is truly our minds that give us the strength to attain our goals. Our bodies are our tools.
I feel beautiful, I have tons of energy, and I am happier than I've ever been in my life! It is a feeling I hope to share with others. Peace out!
Hello, all!
Congratulations on your success. You are so good at composing. It's like you created your entire life on one post. I can't stay on track enough to do that. I jump from one subject to another without explaining very well. I actually feel like I know you. Your weight loss is wonderful and the way your life is coming together as well. I wish you all the best in the world and hope that you continue to find success in everything you do. 
