msbee
I am looking forward to the new me. I grew up where food was reward for everything--got an "A" --got a choice of snacks; birthdays, holidays, just any old reason at all--celebrate with food. Hence, I developed my love of food. I've been overweight since about 6th grade--think I first realized it when for my 6th grade graduation, I had some brand new black patent leather shoes that I could not buckle because I couldn't bend over. Had to get my sister to buckle my shoes. Made it to 7th grade and was depressed when in P.E. we had to weigh and I weighed 180 lbs. (boy, wished I weighed that now).
I was depressed for weeks. Mom took me to a doctor, and he said I was "obese"--didn't know what the word meant, but I knew it sounded real bad. He gave my Mom a 1200 calorie diet for me. Well, that went over real well. After that, never really thought about my weight. On occasion I was rediculed by other kids, but I got used to it, and learned how to ignore the taunts. Plus, I was smart in school, so I kind of got respect because of that. Made it to 12th grade and weighed in at 210 lbs. Made it to college, and I continued to go up from there, trying various diets, losing 20 to 50 lbs here and there, and gaining back double. My social life, well let's just say I dated what I could, basically deadbeats. I guess my self-esteem was so low, I was just glad to be noticed by any body of the opposite sex. So much for that, I'm sure it will work out in time. It's time for me to think about me--the time has come that I need to concentrate on getting me healthy. I'm tired of being sick and tired all the time from my weight. I'm tired all the time, I'm depressed, my knees hurt terribly that I can hardly walk, I'm out of breath when I walk short distances. Within the last 4 years, I have lost both my dad and a brother from weight-related illnesses. I've decided I can't go out like this. I can't give up!!! So here I am, terrified of surgery, excited that this may be the answer, thankful that God has given doctors the knowledge for this medical miracle, and looking forward to a new life!!! 
