As we begin 2012, I have, at age 62, now spent as much of my life at my ideal body weight as I did being obese, over 300 pounds as an adult. I can almost think of myself as a naturally thin person now!
I was an overweight kid, failing my first of a thousand diets at seven, the fattest kid in school almost every year and rejected by the Armed Services at 18 because of my weight. By the time I was thirty I was a veteran of every diet on the planet and a failure at more weight loss attempts than you can count. In my early thirties I had endured 27 and a half years of regular doses of misery because of those tribulations, between periods of trying not to think about it. The stories and insights I can tell you will fill volumes. If you’re overweight they would sound familiar and it might surprise you to learn that you are not alone in the way you’ve acted, thought and felt.
But now, I celebrate 27 and a half years of maintaining my ideal body weight! I found a way out of the misery of obesity. I haven’t been perfect, or free from having gained some at times that I had to beat back down, but I’ve been successful. I still love to eat, and truth be told, I’m better at it and enjoy it more than I ever did!
If you want to know how, I can tell you.
I just wanted to stop and mark milestone in my journey.
I’m celebrating your milestone with you! As Ive stated in an email sent to you, I too struggled with weight gain as a teenager. That wasn’t my only demon. Heavy sugar consumption led to psychosis, more depression, and anxiety. With the help of several alternative doctors and a medical doctor, I’m well.
author Barbara altman
Congratulations on your great work, Barbara. People need to know that having these kinds of problems is normal, and so is recovery from them. Your courage and good work helps them to know this. Thanks!