Goal: 1st, be healthy and fit. 2nd, Lose no more than 20 pounds.

[Ginger]

Hi, healthy people who want to lose no more than 20 pounds.

I have been reading all the BBW threads and those for large-bodied folks, and I feel enlightened by the concept of "healthy at any weight." I also feel sensitized to the cultural attitudes toward people not reflecting cultural ideals, and how those ideals are internalized by large people, or destructively embodied by medical professionals, co-workers, friends, family and others.

That said, I want to find and give support to people like me, who have been thin all their lives, and now, because of menopause, lifestyle changes, depression, medication or what have you, have lost control of their weight—but want to feel healthy again and regain the body they are more comfortable with and fits more with their sense of self.

So, this thread is for people who want to lose no more than 20 pounds, and who, like me, are new to the concepts of weight consciousness—but have some awareness of body issues, having been part of communities, like the butch-femme community, where large women are appreciated.

I think the body issues and weight-loss strategies for someone who has 20 pounds to lose and someone who has 100 pounds to lose might be very different. I have felt uncomfortable being honest about my dismay at being a size 8, then a 10, when I was a 6 till I was 53 (!), because I didn't want to diminutize the efforts of larger women who are losing weight, or to feel like my relatively small weight loss goal is not significant. I don't want to be told, the problem isn't the weight, it's that you're not comfortable with the weight. I agree that body comfort is a good thing, but I want my lithe, strong self back. This woman who can't breathe going upstairs and eats candy compulsively and frowns at her image is not me.

Mostly, I need a place to talk about this, and I think support enhances success, at least for me—so I'm hoping that's true for others, as well.

I'm sure a lot will come up that I have no idea how to respond to, but I'm also willing to bet people will join the thread who are more experienced in body issue and health matters, and can keep the dialogue going in a productive way.

Thanks to anyone who signs on and shares the following (I will answer myself, tonight):

1) What was your ideal weight and size?

2) What is is now?

3) Why do you think you gained weight, when it's never been a problem before?

2) How do you plan to regain your health and your comfort level with your body?

3) Anything else that is relevant.

Hugs!
IslandScout