My Story

I have been fat or obese for pretty much all my life. Looking back at photos, it seems the chub started all the way back in kindergarten. I gained more and more and more until I started playing basketball in the summer after 6th grade. To give you an idea, I probably weighed 20 pounds more in 6th grade than I do now, and obviously I am far from a healthy weight at the moment.

I really hate that it went that far, and wish my parents would have helped me out in some ways. Maybe encouraging me to participate in sports earlier (I just did softball for 3 years, which isn't a ton of exercise) and limiting the food that was available to me. My brother is 3 years older and he did a ton of sports. I loved watching him, but I think it would have been even more fun to participate on my own. I guess it never occurred to me since my parents never talked about it- at least I don't remember them doing so.

Through the end of middle school and into high school, I was probably about 5 to 10 pounds lighter than I am now- a little more toned though. Finally, in college, I encountered the "freshman 15", but in reverse! It was great. I lived in the dorm that was farthest from campus- it was almost a mile walk up and down hills and steps. I ate 3 meals a day and hardly ever snacked. I went to the student rec center and took fitness classes. I don't know for sure what my lowest weight was- probably 155lb.

This is really close to the ideal weight range for my height (6' tall), but I was still pretty flabby for some reason. I just wish I had taken better care of myself from that point on and not let things get so out of hand again, because that was so much better than the state I am in now :(

So many regrets, but I just hope I am going to be moving in the right direction from now on!