There comes a time in a person’s life when they become tired of the same old routine, day in, and day out. They decide to make a change, to break free of their usual song and dance. Today is my day. I have decided that it’s high time for change.

For my entire life, I’ve been overweight. I’m not talking like 10 pounds, either. I mean seriously overweight. Less glamourous terms for me have been “Fat B!tch,” “Porky,” or “Free Willy.” Demeaning epithets aside, the facts are what they are. I am a hefty maiden (I love being so PC about it). Sure, I have been bombarded with opinions about how horrid and terrible I am for being big, and nobody knows how repulsive I am considered better than me, myself, and I.

Now, don’t get too worried. This is certainly not a “woe is me, feel bad for the fat chick” post in any form.

There were times where I decided I should lose weight to appease others, and the eyes of society. I decided that life would be easier if I could look like Naomi Campbell or Tyra Banks, instead of looking like me. Nobody would walk past me and say “ewww” as loud as they could. Nobody would go out of their way to tell me that their friend would date me in order to gross out their buddies.

Nobody would treat me like dirt, because I would be pretty if I were slim, and if I were slim and pretty, I would be respected. I believed that “Good looks” were my ultimate key to happiness, and I believed that once I looked like some woman from a magazine cover or commercial, that the sky would be the limit.

Thankfully, I woke up and smelled the coffee. Now, I know that there are right reasons to change. I wasn’t going to do this for the right reasons. Sure, it’d be nice to be able to walk down the street and not have people look at you as if you’re a botch of nature, but using that as my motivation would only set me up for failure. While I realize that losing weight won’t automatically make my life the best it could be, I understand that there are benefits that I cannot experience now.

To raise my chances for success in this endeavor, I’ve learned that my reasons should be to improve my health, and not for mere vanity or to impress people whose opinions are about as useful as an anus on my elbow.

Yes, I have a desire to change for the better and I will, for myself.

My journey toward my new life begins now. We’ll see where this road takes me.

To those of you embarking on similar a journey, whatever it may be, good luck.

This weekend I started a campaign to gain weight. Yesterday I noticed I lost 6 lbs. I'm doing something wrong.


My weightloss advice is (it works for me): don't exercise, don't sleep over 7 hours a day, don't drink soda, eat what you want, and sit in front of the computer 12 hours a day. Anyone figure out how much calories a person loses by typing? I don't recommend anyone doing this, because it works for me because I am unique like everyone else. I strongly recommend people see a health professional when attempting to gain or lose weight.


Good luck on your weight loss goal. I noticed people who lose weight are happier or grumpier but they are very energenic and feel better about themselves.

Good luck on the weight loss Ana.

If you really wanna drop the pounds fast, come down here in Florida and go on a bike ride with me sometime

ana, i've been in the same situation you have found yourself in. i've been called similar things and been the object of ridicule for a while. i've even gone to some extreme lengths to achieve it such as becoming anorexic for a year or two. yes, guys can be anorexic too. anyways, when i started fainting and my friends started to worry i woke up. i thank god that i have such good people in my life. anyways, i just want to say that i commend you on finding the right reasons for changing and to wish you the best

Good luck, Ana...

All I can say is don't go for one of those 'fab diets'. Don't try the ultra low carb, don't try the "South Beach" bullplop, just eat healthy and exercise. If you do the quick action diets (expecially low carb), your body reacts to getting food at the end of the diet by slowing down the metabolism and storing more fat against similar shortages. Most people who go on and off extreme diets actually gain weight overall.

I would like to also extend my best wishes in your endeavor. It won't be easy......but then it wouldn't be as satisfying if it were.

Quote: Originally Posted by DuplexEmotions Good luck, Ana... All I can say is don't go for one of those 'fab diets'. Don't try the ultra low carb, don't try the "South Beach" bullplop, just eat healthy and exercise. If you do the quick action diets (expecially low carb), your body reacts to getting food at the end of the diet by slowing down the metabolism and storing more fat against similar shortages. Most people who go on and off extreme diets actually gain weight overall.

Oh, heavens no! No low carb diets for me. Carbs are good for you. It's too many carbs that isn't, as most of us smart folks know. I have several friends on Atkins, but I don't dare tell them that instead of obsessing over their carbs like "I wish I could have an apple, but it has carbs in it" they can just make sure they don't gobble down too many. They'd bite my head off. (They're older, and when younger people give them advice, they assume we're ignorant and don't know anything!) Everything in moderation, I say. But, I guess it's more fun to go on a diet where you have to live in constant fear of food than to just make an effort to maintain a balanced diet.

Fad diets are bad, mmkay? This little flash movie sums up my feelings quite well: http://www.illwillpress.com/fatkins.html (Warning: There's naughty words in it!)

Thanks for the support, y'all. I love yas!

Quote: Originally Posted by Anathema Oh, heavens no! No low carb diets for me. Carbs are good for you. It's too many carbs that isn't, as most of us smart folks know. I have several friends on Atkins, but I don't dare tell them that instead of obsessing over their carbs like "I wish I could have an apple, but it has carbs in it" they can just make sure they don't gobble down too many. They'd bite my head off. (They're older, and when younger people give them advice, they assume we're ignorant and don't know anything!) Everything in moderation, I say. But, I guess it's more fun to go on a diet where you have to live in constant fear of food than to just make an effort to maintain a balanced diet. Fad diets are bad, mmkay? This little flash movie sums up my feelings quite well: http://www.illwillpress.com/fatkins.html (Warning: There's naughty words in it!) Thanks for the support, y'all. I love yas!

If you want to get them really angry, point out that going on the Atkins for more than two weeks will start to show the same symptoms as starvation.

Quote: Originally Posted by DuplexEmotions If you want to get them really angry, point out that going on the Atkins for more than two weeks will start to show the same symptoms as starvation.

Good for you Ana! I've been working on the same thing myself, and dropped 20lbs of fat. I can run a 12-minute mile too. Not quote up to DW's standard, but getting there...

Good luck with the weight loss Ana. I'm sure that if anyone can do it, you can!

Bueno suerte!

Quote: Originally Posted by pimp_joose Good for you Ana! I've been working on the same thing myself, and dropped 20lbs of fat. I can run a 12-minute mile too. Not quote up to DW's standard, but getting there...

HAHA! I ran the mile in a smooth 15 minutes last semester in gym. But then again, I was around 180, 5'10" and have asthma. I never diet, I eat what I want, but try to keep away from fats, etc. Good luck Ana!

The absolute best quote about dieting i ever heard came from Minnie Driver

"Eat less and move about more"

Good luck with whatever you have planned, and believe me it can be tough, but it is worth it in the end, i had to drop 5 stone (70lbs) but it was definitely worth it, i feel so much better and have less health problems

Keep up the motivation and if you ahve a bad day , just write it off as a bad day and start again teh next. One day at a time and youll get there.

Here Here!
Congrats Ana on the epiphany. May your endevours hold true to your well being.