I was thinking

[waterflow]

Ever since 6th grade after a boy (remember his name too) called me fat I have been on a diet. Worrying about how fat I am and crying over it when I have been fat. I've counted calories so many times I already know how many calories are in the food. I feel guilty now when I eat a donut. I'm not eating the whole box full just one. Should have lost 60 pounds over the years just in water from crying. How many of you have spent your life crying over being fat and been on a diet that long too?

[Julie B]

I have always had to watch my weight, but I also pay a lot of attention to what I eat because I am a dietitian. I can't say I have ever been "on a diet" with the exception of avoiding certain foods because of my IC.

One thing that took awhile was accepting my new body "shape" since being diagnosed with IC. I know I look about 15 pounds heavier than I am because of the swelling in my abdomen. It used to bug me a lot, but now I have discovered blazers and jackets and layering to sort of camoflage it. Dressing to fit my body I have now and not the body I used to have has really made a difference in my self-esteem and how I view myself. Example, I was at a wellness event recently and I was worried I would be the heaviest one there because, afterall, the conference was on wellness. Well, I got a cute dress that I topped off with a new black jacket (also really cute) and some darling little shoes. Were the clothes a few sizes larger than I would like? Yep.....but because the clothes and the style fit my body better, I felt good about myself. There were MANY more people there heavier than I am, and I would have to say that over half of them didn't care much what they looked like at all. (Suits crumpled, mismatched clothes, and LOTS of clothes that were way too tight and made the person look heavier than they were.)

Maybe it is closing in on 50 that is doing it, but I think at some point we all have to say, hey, it is what it is...........I get my exercise, I eat right and I am going to forget about looking like a movie star.

Hang in there..........

[crazy_beautiful]

Mary the only person you need to make happy is your self. You must know that some meds make us gain weight or retain some amount of water. Politely tell them you my be fat, but they are ugly, and you can diet. :biglaugh: just kidding but I sseriously have said it before, oddly enough they never mentioned my weight again. You are a beautiful person inside and out. Don't let mindless people get to you.

[ICNDonna]

I have never been what I would call skinny since I was about ten years old.

Donna

[leelee88]

Skinny?? What is that??:lmao: I have never even been able to wear small clothing..Even as a child it was always med or large! Now its exlarge!! Mary did you know the AVERAGE woman is a 16.. I am now above that mark.. I am loosing though and it is tough!! But you know you have to not worry so much about your wieght and try to think more about being healthy inside and out! And like Julie said even me at a size 18 (was 22) now I can find outfits that make me look slimmer and work well with my body type..But hang in there and you can loose it just takes time! It is not a fast process..

[amaranthe]

Even though I am married and definately NOT looking, (and would never, ever cheat on my husband!) my secret self-esteem pick-me-upper on my fat days is to go to a dating website and read about all the men looking for BBWs (Big beautiful women). I also read the about the couples who found each other and look at the pics where REALLY big women have found a man. Then, I look at myself and reason, that I am not near that big yet, and there are people that think those women are beautiful at their size, and actually SOUGHT THEM OUT at that size! :D It always makes me feel better when I read post after post where men are only attracted to larger women. My favorite part is when they describe small women and the ways that slender women physcially repulse them, and then describe how beautifully feminine a "Truly" full-figured woman is, and how great it feels to hug and snuggle someone who is overweight. This always makes me feel better!

[charmedx3]

I can say that yes I did. but now no. I feel more comfortable in my skin at about 150 or a little less. I don't want my daughter to feel she needs to diet to feel good about herself. Have you watch lifetimes show " how to look good naked" (i think that is the name) with carson? I love it. instead of concentrating on the bad focus on the good. he helps women feel better about themselves.