I read this thread yesterday and have been thinking of what to say ever since. I worried that I wouldn't be able to put things into words very well but since this thread has taken a somewhat less serious turn......
So, like everyone, I've been overweight a lot. It is really hard to grasp exactly the emotions that go along with it for me. I've been thin, young and sought after. I've been fat, older, and ignored. And all in between.
I was okay with being overweight. I had settled into it. I was 'the mom' and took care of business and let the family have the fun that I couldn't. When my youngest was no longer someone I had to take care of then it was uh oh! I no longer had an excuse not to ride the roller coaster, go river rafting. Whatever.
But my family was very good to me, my kids, the Hubster. It was the rest of my family that was cruel. I was told my husband would leave me because I wasn't the girl he'd married, anyone could come along and take him, I was old and fat, I was going to die, how could my husband take me anywhere, etc. etc. Now, people say that they say those things to motivate someone to lose weight. BS. They were just cruel and enjoyed hurting me. I know this.
So now to the me that has lost weight. It has been just as difficult. People question how I lost it. When I told them behind my back they would say I was lying and just didn't want them to lose weight, too.
I found a weight that I am comfortable with, sure, I'd like to lose more but actually am comfortable here. I totally believe in that getting rid of your old clothes as I have to work to stay in these clothes or have nothing to wear!!
It is weird to be this weight. Like you guys, I am not what people consider 'thin' in weight but I feel fit. I also went through that; when I was younger and did start to gain weight, and, was this weight, I was told I was overweight. No clothes to wear, etc. Heck, I wish I could have spent the last 20 years at THAT weight. That would have been fine.
Also I have feelings like you guys; my parents also had health issues. My father died at 52 and my mom/grandma spent their lives sitting in a corner of the couch watching t.v. I found myself sitting on the couch, just watching my life. That was a big eye opener for me. I want to be here when my kids grow up and have kids. AND those comments about my hubby leaving me. Well, let's just say, I was not about to be the one left sitting on any freakin' couch. And that is all I am going to say about THAT.
I feel like I have wasted a lot of time but then I remember I spent those years being a great mom to my kids. I now use up a lot of time working out without them so I know I wouldn't have done that before. Also, even though my husband has always worked out, only since I started to work out do my kids now work out.
My youngest, he is so cute with his workout clothes and head band. He wants to be healthy and knows that some foods are bad for him.
Gosh, even as I type that I feel my heart tug because I know that any bad habits my kids have are from my lifestyle. I have worked on the Hubster, encouraging him to change some ways. He has lost 25lbs. and feels great about it. I don't tell the kids {or anyone, including me} that they can't eat any food, just think about it and remember when they are laying around to get up and move.
I don't want to gain my weight back. I love my clothes. I love that I was able to do the Mist Trail at Yosemite and that I did do the river AND I also have run while we were there. Yuck, even rode a bike. I am a klutz and almost took out too many people to do that again.
I do like myself and I always have. Did anyone see 'The Biggest Loser'? The three finalists? The first two hated their old picture and said things like 'Never again' and punched it. The third guy, the one who won, said things like 'Hey buddy' and stuff like that.
Eh, sorry, see, I didn't have my thoughts so organized....This is just not a black and white topic.