When I first signed on to this whole losing weight mumbo jumbo, one of the first thoughts I had was, I can't wait for my family to see me thin.
I've been overweight for most of my adult life. I had a baby when I was 18 and gained a lot of weight with my pregnancy. After my son was born, I hovered around 180 for about 8 years. After that, I went up to about 230 and stayed there for a couple more years.
Then I joined Weight Watchers and lost around 40 lbs. The weight wasn't coming off fast enough, so I looked around and found Body For Life. B4L was wonderful and I quickly dropped 80 lbs. When I was almost to my goal weight, my husband and I separated. This caused me to put everything on hold, including my weight loss. The weight gradually crept back on, where it stayed for the next 6 years. In the meantime, my husband and I got back together. Which brings us to today. Well, 3 months ago.
My mom and dad were hippies in the late 60's and actually met during The Monterey Pop Festival. My dad was from Massachusetts and had hitchhiked from there to CA. They hit it off and after my father hitchhiked back East to attend Woodstock, he decided that he would go back to CA to fetch my mom. They married, had me and about a year later decided to separate. My mom and I moved back to CA, my dad stayed in MA.
Growing up, I would visit my dad and that side of the family during the summers. Eventually, my father would give me a little brother. I always hated the fact that my brother and I didn't grow up together.
As an adult, every time my family in MA has seen me, I've been overweight. Weight has never been an issue with anyone on that side of the family, so I always felt really self conscious around them. I know you're not supposed to feel that way around people who love you, but I couldn't help it.
So, one of my biggest incentives to lose weight is for my family back East to see me thin. I want a picture of me and my brother that I'll be proud to frame. I want to hug my father and not feel like an amazon (he's tiny).
Hey Erin, Just found your blog. I know you don't feel it but you could be 500 lbs and we wouldn't care as long as you are healthy that's all we care about. We LOVE you just the way you are, out sweet Erin in CA. If you need to lose weight to feel better for yourself then good luck and call if you need encouragement but don't do it for us. We love you for who you are not what you look like.
ReplyDeleteLove you and miss you lots.
Auntie Marla