HaddocksEyes

I have been overweight for most of my life. When I was 14, I decided to go on a serious diet because I noticed that boys did not like to date fat girls - like it or lump it, that's the society we live in. Through lots of hard work, I lost over 70 pounds and kept it off until I was about 20. However, I started to slowly gain weight after that and by the time I had my first child a couple of years later, I was 100 pounds overweight. For the last 18 years, I have been at least 100 pounds overweight. Currently, I am approximately 140 pounds overweight.

As a result of being overweight, I have missed out on fun opportunities and experiences. I felt bad about the way I looked often. When I was younger the weight did not seem to impact my mobility and energy as much. Now, I find that my joints and feet hurt and I get tired way too quickly; some things are harder for me to do. I had to have knee surgery last year because I shredded some of the cartilage from under my kneecap, merely from walking around, doing regular things. The people I know that have had a similar surgery had it because they injured it skiing, kickboxing, playing college sports, running or through other similar activities. My wear and tear is merely because of the weight. And that's sad because most of the damage could have been prevented years ago had I lost weight.

While I don't have any significant co-morbidities, I will in the future if I stay the way I am. This is preventative and, I believe, a positive step for continued good health.