Reply #324: Great OP and had lots of laughs with Lucy! I have had an eating disorder [View All]

since I was a kid. I drew the short end of the genetic straw when it came to this. I was on the long end when it came to other things. My mother's side of the family always had a problem with weight gain and it didn't trickle but flowed down to myself and my brother. And frankly, I also love good food. That is a terrible combination.

In my life I have lost and gained 100s of pounds. I recall at my sister's first wedding, at age 12, I was already a size 13 junior. At 14 my mother sent me to a diet doctor who lived around the corner from us, and he gave me amphetamines and barbiturates. I lost weight and then regained more when I went off the pills. Then I went to another diet doctor. Same thing. I hated the way the pills made me feel and I eventually tried every diet in the book, practiced strategic bulemia and until after years of this battle, I just stopped trying. My metabolism is entirely screwed up and it is impossible for me to lose weight now, especially since menopause entered my life. If I look at food I gain weight. As to exercising, I had always been very active. Riding bikes, walking, swimming, weight training later on, and yoga, but now it's not easy to do with all of the weight on me and that's stopped. So I eat as healthily as I can and just live with it, at least for now.

Ironically, the Size 12 thing hit a nerve, as that is the size that I always looked the most attractive, and even at size 16 would turn heads. I am not tall (5'4") but large boned, and the last time I got down to a six, it wasn't flattering.

I'm very fortunate that I don't seem to be discriminated for my size or treated as an invisible person as I have heard many fat women have been treated. Men still open doors for me.

BTW..Bluebear! Thank You! :hi: