oh my god, I'm so fat. I'm gonna cry.

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

sob
I couldn’t sleep so I started going through the boxes in the kitchen that need to get put away… and I came across this… a picture of me 15 weeks pregnant. It’s horrible, you can barely see it… but what you CAN see is that at 15 weeks pregnant, I was about 115lbs.

I’m so fat now!!! I was kinda getting used to it then I found this and it sort of shattered my world :frowning: FYI I’m around 190-200lbs now.

–
From an actual catalog: “Disco balls create an enchanting, dazzling effect of light shafts, adding movement and glamour to any occasion”
the Abrams’ bris was certainly memorable
O p a l C a t
www.opalcat.com

2

Well as the saying goes, the bigger the cushion…ahem

Stop worrying so much.

3

Not to worry, if everyone looked the same, was the same size, had the same features, what a dull world we would live in. The beauty comes from the inside, not the outside. When you find someone that realizes that, then you have found a true treasure of a person.

I’ve learned that if someone says something unkind about me, I must live so that no one will believe it.

4

That’s more like the stuff we are used to seeing here. So how tall are you?

5

Cat, I have a picture of myself that my husband took the week before the kid was born; I had taken off my shoes and gone into the kitchen so I would be “barefoot and pregnant.” I weigh as much now (13 years later and non-pregnant) as I did on that day. That’s not as much weight gain as yours, but more than I ever wanted. It started after I hit 30 and now (at 39) seems to have stabilized, maybe. And the thing is, I eat much more healthily now than I did then.

So don’t feel like the lone ranger. If it really bothers you, tho, make a plan: walk around the block after dinner, eat baby carrots instead of potato chips, whatever. But don’t cry. : (

6

Well there is the issue of being very unhappy with the way I look, but there is also the health issue. I’m UNHEALTHILY FAT. It has nothing to do with “beauty on the inside” it has to do with being just under 5’2" tall and weighing more than my dad. Hell, I weigh over 30lbs MORE than I did 9 months pregnant!!!

–
From an actual catalog: “Disco balls create an enchanting, dazzling effect of light shafts, adding movement and glamour to any occasion”
the Abrams’ bris was certainly memorable
O p a l C a t
www.opalcat.com

7

Opal, I know how you feel. I was going through some photo albums the other day, and I realized I was 50 pounds heavier now than when I graduated high school…and I thought I was fat THEN!
I have been thinking about going on a diet, and now I think it is time to stop thinking about it and start doing it.
Opal, I would be happy to be your dieting buddy, if you decide to try to lose some weight. Let me know.
Rose

8

I actually did 2 15-minute workout tape things this morning. I’m gonna try to do that at least every other day. I need someone to nag me though!

–
From an actual catalog: “Disco balls create an enchanting, dazzling effect of light shafts, adding movement and glamour to any occasion”
the Abrams’ bris was certainly memorable
O p a l C a t
www.opalcat.com

9

If you really want me to nag you, I will…just remember, I can be a real pain in the ass :wink:
Rose

10

Opalcat,

If you’re really concerned about it, at least you’re on the right track of recognizing the situation. I hate to sound like a cliche, but diet and exercise will do it faster than any other way.

My wife had problems after our first. It was hard to lose the weight, and she had that additional incentive since she was in the military. She had no choice but lose it or be discharged. It helps to have a supportive SO. I broke down and ate a lot of that tasteless rabbit food myself so she wouldn’t feel left out. Since I have a naturally high metabolism and I work out a lot, I had to sneak out of the house to eat real food and keep my weight steady. The important thing was that I stayed with her until she got down to her fighting weight.

You can do this stuff alone, but it takes self-discipline and setting goals. Lose your weight a little at a time and don’t expect to get back to 115 by bikini season, you just set unattainable goals and then you get disappointed. Get lots of cardio exercise (at least 3 30-minute sessions a week for starts) to get used to working out and build from there. Plus, working out gives you a tremendous positive feeling. Don’t get put off by the gym queens in the tight spandex. They’re used to working out at higher levels so don’t do any comparisons between them and you. Stay focused on your goals.

Hey, I’m pulling for you OpalCat, nothing is unattainable if you can put your mind and heart to it. Just ask my wife. :smiley:

…send lawyers, guns, and money…

       Warren Zevon
11

When I was growing up my mother was always on a diet and she was never happy. My sister is shrinking away, she had that “operation” she can’t work, she can’t do anything anymore! Is this what this is about? being thin at any cost? So I am a little overweight, but I am happy with the way I look. so please don’t cry.

whatever

12

First things first, Opal. We love you for what you have inside of you. You are intelligent, witty and a great person. Your husband and your son certainly don’t look at you with anything but admiration and love.

Bluepony is right in the regards that you have recognized you have a problem. Perhaps you have reached rock bottom and started to dig. Finding and exercise you like to do is key. You might want to go to a doctor and get some help, thus motivating you to stay on target for a realistic weight level. Or join a gym or water aerobics class. Sometimes shelling out a few bucks for something like that is a great motivator, rather than an exercize tape, which can be readily ignored.

Most importantly, you have to realize the toughest part about growing up and having children is that you will probably never go back to that tight assed little perfect body you had at 18. I could post a picture of myself when I was 21 and wore a bikini, but my husband forbids it, citing it would be cruel and unusual punishment for ME to do so. (He’s hid the picture, darnit) In my mind I feel about 23. When I look in the mirror it’s like my body has been replaced by some 45 year old PTA mom.

[hijack]
Once I finish breastfeeding I am seriously considering going to Weight Watchers (which is a haul for me to do so with two children.) so I can learn to eat properly for the first time in my life. I have way too much money invested in the pants in my wardrobe to shell out more money for the next size up. I have, however, made my peace with the joys of elastic waist pants.

As I like to say, the foundation has settled.

Right now I am lap swimming twice a week and love how I feel afterwards. Funny thing is, I’ve never once been embarrassed being seen in a swimsuit pregnant or post preggo flabbiness. It’s shorts and tank tops that scare me silly. Nothing like a crotch wedgie to keep a girl wearing long pants in the summer. We are buying a bike trailer so I can still go riding and haul the kids hither and yon.

Maybe by the end of the summer I will be less flabby and my button hole and button in jeans will meet again. [/hijack]

Keep us up to date of your progess. Use this place as your motivator and diary. Hell, we all have.

I’m living so beyond my income that we may almost said to be living apart
-e e cummings

13

I wish it had been so!

This would be a great idea. My wife has lost 60 lbs in the past year by following the Weight Watchers program. She is happier about herself than at anytime since I’ve known her. She even wears a bikini now! I do the lion’s share of the cooking now, so I had to learn how it works in order to make the proper foods. She has changed her style of eating completely, and easily maintains her weight. You should try it, it does work. As for this:

I must admit, it’s different making love to her now. It still seems like she’s not all there. It’s still fun, tho, so WTF.

Cecil said it. I believe it. That settles it.

14

Opal:
First of all, I am inclined to believe that beautiful people come in ALL shapes and sizes. I refuse to buy into the theory that you have to have a model’s figure to be attractive. I think that my best friend ChrisCTP is one of the most beautiful and sexy women on the planet (not that she believes me) and she is not built like a movie star.
Secondly, if it is a health issue, I would advise starting off simply. I lost most of my pregnancy weight simply by changing my habits. I haven’t ever really been lazy, but now I make an effort to be as active as possible. I don’t use a remote for a TV. I stand up, walk across the room and change the channel. If I ever think I need anything I get up and get it. I used to wait until I absolutely couldn’t live without something before I’d do that. I also refuse to have anything chocolate or fattening in my house. If I am wanting a snack I generally munch on baby carrots or dried fruit. Little things seem to make a big difference in weight loss. I am not sure what your habits are like…this is just what helped me and I hope it helps you.
It also depends on your metabolism and body. It may be best to go to a doctor and have him/her make up an individualized program for you to work with. I wouldn’t go for the pills or shakes methods because, from what I’ve heard, they don’t provide all of the necessary nutrients your body needs to convert fat to muscle and keep you healthy. I also take a multivitamin and a zinc/calcium/magnesium supplement now and I feel that that has been a vital part in giving me the energy to keep my activity levels up.
Finally, I have seen your website. You are a GORGEOUS woman and I hope you are fully aware of that. I know you posted that it was mostly a health issue and it should be. You should have no concern other than it being a health issue that a doctor has advised you about. :slight_smile:

“I hate it when they ain’t been shaved.” -ND

15

Opal.I was 115 pounds also when pregnant(at the beginning). But then I was an dam 5’11". It is what is inside that counts you know that! Heck, my boyfriend is 300 lbs. and looks great!
I used to get laughed at for being too thin.

Donuts, and the promise of more donuts to come-Homer Simpson.

16

You are just the right size to be hugged. <hug> :slight_smile: </hug>

You should tell the truth, expose the lies and live in the moment."-Bill Hicks
“You should tell the lies, live the truth and expose yourself.” - Bill Clinton

17

Opal, you are truly a beautiful person, both inside and out. I have seen your pic’s and I’m a bit envious. And I can tell by what I’ve seen you post, that you’re every bit as attractive inside as well. I can’t add much that hasn’t already been said, except to say, that I am in the same boat with you. I’d be happy to nag you on also, if you like, and feel free to nag me right back. I had gained over 60lbs last year, due to some health issues, and now am fighting an upasteephill battle to lose that, plus the extra that has snuck on since my kids were born. I’m trying to lose this weight for my health also, so I can be the person I once was all the way through again. Hang in there, and remember we’re all here for you!!
E-mail me if you’d like to chat or rant or cry or whatever. I’m here for you.

You sing in my consciousness like a counterpoint to my life.
L.L.

18

Dearest Opal,

We love you no matter what size you are, damnit!

That said, have fun with your “working out” get son involved and dance around. It can be a fun way to get some exercise and a bonding time with your son! Just be sure to do it on the cam so we all can see < giggle >

Oh and tell hubby to quit bringing home cupcakes! :wink:

What ever you do, we are here as support…now my feelings of having extra pounds are coming out!

19

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Opal}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}
I’m sorry you’re feeling so bad about yourself right now. As everyone else has said, about the diet and exercise, I’ll not repeat any of it.

I DO wonder if your meds are ‘helping’ you, by slowing your metabolism down, maybe this is something you need to speak to your doctor about, you also mentioned in another thread about difficulty with sleeping, these could all be related to one another.

Please get that checked out, and tell us how you’re doing, a lot of us care about you, Opal, so just start by taking walks with your child and getting some fresh air, go to the park and ‘play’. Go have FUN doing something that you like to do just for YOURSELF. okay??

Judy

“Um, according to who? Nothing more than a high brow troll, though occasionally the bi polar personality swung in a constructive direction on innocuous topics.” Omniscient

20

Opal - first of all, you look anorectic in that photo. 115 lbs and that far pregnant is too damn skinny, dear.

I, too am 5’2" tall and at 190 right now :frowning: I don’t like it, I don’t like the way I look, I don’t like the way I feel. OTOH, nearly every guy I’ve gone out with has really liked the way I look. :confused: :smiley:

What we need is perspective.

First of all, studies show that excess fat alone does not cause health problems until you reach about 50% of your weight from body fat. (That comes from a book called “Feeding On Dreams” about the diet industry and weight loss - I recommend it if you can find it) I am approximately 47% right now, so I am not quite there yet. You may be over or under that number - your weight is NOT a good indication: muscle is a lot denser than fat, so two people can weigh the same, be the same height and have widely varying amounts of body fat. So going by your weight alone is not a good indicator of health. This is not to say that I coudn’t improve my health by losing some weight - but I would be doing it by engaging in activities that also make me healthier: exercising & eating less weight.

[soapbox]Dieting causes you to gain weight! This may sound like an oxymoron, and there will be a lot of people on this board tell you how they lost x pounds on this or that diet. However, the question is not how much you lose on a diet, the question is how much you weigh a year after going off the diet. A recent study in Reuter’s health news showed that the average American gained 15 pounds after dieting. I personally watched my mom go on every diet in existence and gain the weight back and them some after every one, as I was growing up. As you can tell, I don’t believe in diets at all. What I believe in is exercising and making changes in the diet that you can live with the rest of your life.[/soapbox]

I find it helps my self-perception if I can see another person who is approximately the same as I am, shape-wise. Since we are about the same weight and height I’m posting my picture here so you can see what someone else looks like:

http://www.orphic-chronicle.com/crescent/images/zyada1.jpg

BTW, I hate this picture - I hope it doesn’t depress you, too. :wink:

Post a pic of yourself, and you can make me feel better.

The trick I’ve found to exercising is to arrange it so that it is as easy and entertaining as possible. Currently I have a treadmill that faces my TV. I rent a movie a week & get on the treadmill to watch the movie. I try to do 30 minutes at a time, Sometimes if the movie is really good & I’m not having health problems, I stay on the treadmill for the whole movie.

Hugs,
Zyada