Kim B.
I looked in the mirror one day and wondered who the sad person was looking back at me and then realized it was me. I weighed 401 on the scale and 250 in my head. I always pushed myself to not be a 400 pound person by trying to keep up with everyone around me, and I did it for many many years! It got to a point where I noticed I was slowing down, when making plans with others I noticed they star... view

FinallyHealthy2013
I have been battling my weight since I was about 6 years old. By the time I was 8 I was obese and by high school morbidly obese. I was starting to grow into my weight and at about 14 I started feeling almost "normal" in my small town school. I gained a little weight when I got my license and began working in a restaurant and splurged on fried food all summer but then I was in a minor car accident ... view

Michael S.
I have been overweight for most of my life. I was chubby by the time I was eight years old, and from that time experienced painful comments from other kids, and overheard comments from adults around me. It affected my self image, making me feel like I was inferior to everyone around me. I tried every diet that came out, which gave temporal, limited success, but required more effort than th... view

Jesse Chancey
My name is Jesse Jay Chancey. I'm 21 years old. I was born in Augusta,Ga. I was overweight all my life. In third grade I weighed about 170-180 lbs. I was always teased about my weight growing up. I would be in class and hear the kids around me call me names and talk about me behind my back. Even some family members have teased me about my weight (Won't mention any names). It's hard to go to school... view

southbay311
I can tell you first hand what it was like losing 100+ pounds, not once but twice on my own. First of all it took almost 2 years for each attempt and then through life and the stresses in it I regained it all back plus more with each attempt. You swear it is not going to happen again and in a year or more it is back or well on the way. Then in 2001 I developed a variety of health issues includi... view

BigBlackMama
I'v always been very active even at my peek wight of 267lbs. And especially as a child! When my family moved to a very suburban neighborhood just as i reached puberty, I pretty much remain over weight since them. But as a 5'7 pear shaped black girl I carried it well... Or Hid it well!! My breaking point was when i turned 18, I was 220lbs and my "Boyfriend" at the time totally just left me hanging,... view

Jeffrey B.
I have always struggled with my weight. I remember being called “Fat” at age 5. Up through 2008 I would gain & lose weight always added more then I lost. I tried every diet I could. However, regardless I continued to put on weight. After I injured by back, things got much worst. My activity level went down, and my weight sky rocketed. I finally gave up and just started eating anything I want... view

Laura A.
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heytracy
I was overweight from the time I was a very young child on. I didn't realize just how overweight until I began looking back at my school pictures a few years ago. It really hit me that I had a major health problem before I even had any idea what healthy eating or being overweight was. I started dieting at age 14 or so. It wasn't hard to find friends to diet with at this age. We went on a lot ... view

June B.
Total depression, constant frustration and a false smile. That is how I felt prior to hearing there might be a way out of my weight slums! I have been over weight my entire life. It really began to be a problem when I started Middle School. You all know that time in your life is so important. Your appearance seems to be what is most important to everyone else, even if your weight isn't an i... view

Stacy C.
As with most people who decide to have bariatric surgery I rode the roller coaster of ups and downs. Both in my weight and emotionally. I had tried so many different sure fire plans of weight loss and granted I did lose a lot of weight, but dang if it didn't find it's way home!! I did find at one time if I stuck to the Weight Watcher plan and exercised religiously I could keep the weight off but ... view

Peggy C.
I was always a chubby child, which didn't start until after I was really ill in 4th grade with Mono. My friends, even my family made cruel uncaring remarks. I fought with my weight all my life, which carried over into adulthood. The one and only time I've ever felt pretty was when I was pregnant. I always felt I had to excell everyone in everything I did, to make up for my weight, that ppl wer... view

sherwilson
Food was the largest factor in my life. All my good memories since childhood revolve around food. Food at parties, holidays, when you got good grades, when you needed to be cheered up, etc. As an adult, I ate without thinking about it. Even when I was trying to "not eat" I found myself shoving things in. I don't think I ever thought at food as anything other than just something I wanted. view

Donna G.
It is so hard for "normal" people to imagine the way obesity affects us. We can't fit into a seat at the theatre, by a garment easily, walk with your friends, every step hurts, every glance from others hurt, need 2 seats on a airplane. view

sarich
The more I thought about my weight the more I would eat. Something so comforting about a mouth full of food. Then I would get disgusted with myself for eating. Soooo maybe I'll start this diet tomorrow. I tried to blame my weight on someone or something in my life that was causing the weight gain. Finally decided if I was going to change that it would be a lifestyle change. I started seeing ... view

lady_myst
I have always had issues with food. I don't remember a time where I had normal behaviors with food. I ate when i felt bored, lonely, sad, or angry. I ate when I was happy. Every holiday event was centered around a feast that took days to prepare. Every get together was about the food. I have this problem where I never felt good enough. I was always lacking. I never felt full. I always fel... view

bbmom
I have always struggled with my weight for as long as I can remember. Up through college I would gain & lose 40 lbs back and forth annually...I tried every diet there was & up until I had my son, was able to keep myself at a fairly normal (although not thin- usually about a size 12 or so) weight. After I had my son, I was able to lose 89 lbs via "phen-fen". I got down to a size 10 & I was eati... view

~~Sweet Tink~~
I spent many nights crying and begging for the ultimate cure all. I tried all diets. The Duke diet, Jenny Craig.... you name it I tried it. I thought I was all alone in my struggle. Coming down with diabetes I felt my life was over. I had for years watched my weight grow and grow. I kept telling myself .. one day I will do it , One day .. all the while driving to the closest Burger King to soothe... view

PhoenixMedusa
I had some struggles as a young woman and was a victim of rape and had severe abandonment issues. Food had been my best friend. I lived my life in a daze only feeling from the neck up. I allowed people to abuse me and I felt life happened to me rather than feeling I had any control over anything. I lost weight only to gain weight back over and over and finally eating myself up to 287 pounds. At 5'... view

RaeRae1
I really think that I have been in denial for many years regarding my weight. It's hard to tell exactly when I thought of this as being a battle. I've always been fat. I grew up in a very small town where most of the girls were very thin. I had a couple of things going on: I was the only African American girl in my school and I was fat. Well needless to say, the fact that I was the only black ... view

EricaJ
Battle with weight control? It is more like WAR. I hate my body, I am embarrassed. I don't understand why so many people can win this war and I am stuck in the trenches with a half gallon of Ben and Jerry's. I have never been a yo yo dieter, I get fat and stay fat. I lost 55 lb. one time and 15-20 several different times in the past but nothing significant and nothing that lasted. I woul... view

kay2126
I have always struggled with my weight. I remember being around 10years old and going to the doctor. I had gained over 12lbs in 1 year and my height hadn't changed and the doctor was very upset with my mother for letting me gain that much weight. My mother was overweight also, so it was like adding insult to injury. Throughout high school my weight went up and down. Although I was never obese in s... view

jillygirl
I believe most children who are morbidly obese can relate to my experiences as an overwieght 10 yr old. I was different I was isolated by my weight. The teasing was horrible and left deep emotional scars that only time would heal. How do you tell your obese daughter or son they are still uniquely wonderful. I preface my answer to the emotional battle question with this information so a person can ... view

Charlotte N.
When I was a young girl I was always taller, stronger, faster and more athletic than the other girls and most boys. I didn't feel fat, and I wasn't fat but bigger. I was tall with long legs. i was 5' 7" by 5th grade with size 9 shoe. My mother would always tell me I was going to be a six foot tall model. But I never felt comfortable in my own skin. I always wanted to look like the petite girls. ... view

Burni K.
I am an emotional eater. I eat when I am happy, I eat when I am sad. Food was used as a reward when I was growing up, and there were times when we had no food, so food was important to me. We did not always have the food that I wanted to eat, and I remember saying that when I grow up, I will buy the food I want. That is what I did and I had the fat to prove it. Everyone around me was so much ... view