Losing Weight Changes Everything

I've been struggling with weight problems for as long as I can remember. I didn't like being overweight, but it just seemed easier to ignore the problem than to deal with it head on.

When I went away to college I gained a lot of weight in my first year. There definitely is truth to the "freshman 15" people talk about. Looking back my weight gain was definitely associated with what was going on in my life.

It was a hard adjustment being away from my family. I was very homesick and I dealt with my loneliness by eating and drinking more that I should have. When my family and friends noticed the problem I lashed out at them and denied that anything had really changed.

My weight problems intensified as the years went by. Eventually I just assumed that I would always be fat. I had very low self esteem and saw myself as fat and ugly. I didn't date or even go out with friends.

Eventually, a friend convinced me to see a therapist about my weight. I was tired of being depressed all the time and being on diets that never worked so I took her advice and went.

I discovered the real reasons behind my eating, none of which were hunger, and developed the skills to alter my behavior into more positive patterns.

My therapist provided me with a solid support network and showed me how I could achieve my goals of weight loss and management. I also started a regular exercise program and have been able to stick with it.

I am happier now than I have ever been!

How I Keep In Shape

by Jane
(San Jose)

This is my fitness story. I was always a skinny child. I never thought that would change until I graduated school and started working. I worked in an office and so basically sat behind a desk all day. It never occurred to me that there was any problem with that until about a year later.

I was trying on some pants from the previous season and couldn't even get them on! I didn't realize how out of shape I'd become with all those hours of sitting. I guess it happened so gradually, I never noticed it. I never had to exercise before this, so it came as a big surprise to me.

Well, I panicked and joined a women's fitness center. This was a few years ago, before the current fitness craze and the proliferation of public gyms. I was able to get back into shape, and I've been exercising ever since. I don't go to a gym anymore, but instead exercise at home to videos. To keep it interesting, I'll use a particular video for a few months, then change to a completely new one.

I also started running and biking. I try to run outdoors when the weather is nice. To mix it up, I'll run one day and bike the next day.
Having different workout routines really helps to keep me motivated. Doing the same routine every day gets a little boring.

For me, exercise is just something that you need to do every day, just like brushing your teeth.