I am 21 years old, and l have struggled with my weight for my whole life. I am not talking about 5 pounds that some girls like to complain about, l have a serious issue with being overweight. I've been on every single diet you can ever imagine, and l almost had the gastric bypass surgery. It was such a long process, l got discouraged along the way and l also moved in the middle of it. After awhile, l started to really think about it, and in a way i'm kind of glad l did not do it because it literally changes your anatomy and there is a lot that can go wrong. l think it is a great tool for people who have tried every other option (like me), but my thought is that i've lost weight hundreds of times, why can not l do it again? Once l get started l have great willpower, it is just getting past that first week or so. I've always been the ''girl with the pretty face and my being overweight has affected my life in all aspects. In my relationships, my jobs, my self confidence/worth. I've always had good friends and a wonderful family who are all so supportive. In that way, i'm lucky. l just wondered if there is others out there who share my same frustration because sometimes it helps when you do not feel like your the only one anymore.

There is one key thing missing in ur dialogue - & that is any discussion of exercise. I've had to fight back a couple times from surgeries that kept me off my feet & put inches on my waist, & each time it meant a serious commitment to dieting & exercise. This last time l had my left knee replaced. Following surgery & rehab, l had put on 45 pounds! It was a lot of weight & l felt it. The first step is to go see a dietician. l am not talking about someone working at ur local vitaming store, but someone who has an actual degree. They can help u look at the overall picture & find out how & where to tweak it. You will also need to get yourself enrolled at a gym. Start taking some group fitness classes. l think u will be surprised at how many other people r in the same boat.

Just remember, dieting is not the answer if you're looking to take the weight off & keep it off. You will need to change ur life - the way u eat, the way u look & feel about food, & u will need to exercise. Its not fun. Not even remotely. But its worth it if for no other reason than to feel comfortable in ur own skin.

Everything u have jsut said describes me. l am 21 & about 5 stone overweight. Im happy in a relationship, although teh sex is crap at the moment!, & im healthy l eat well & conscientiously but l have always been a big girl. Im at college training to be dance teacher & spend about 24 hours a wekk dancing & although im good l constantly feel like my weight is a problem, iv been on every diet & lloked into surgery a dfew times but always chickened out. I, in all respects am a normal well off lucky person except l cant even look at myself in teh mirror without crying if ever anything goes worng in my life l can immediatly find a reson why it relates to my weight & l have no self confidence.
Dont worry ur not the only one & like u said u have lost weight before im sure u cna do it again. l lost quite alot ofweight recently (i used to be about 8 stone overwieght now im 5) & my ethos to encourage me to keep going is that putting on a pair of trousers that didnt fit & r now too big is a better feeling than any cream cake ever gave me!

good luck.

Lots of Luv.

Bill Phillips wrote a book called ''Body for Life'' which is a twelve week program of exercise & proper eating (not a diet!) that has worked for over a million people.

It is effective, common sense advice & direction on how to gain control of ones self & ones life.

To put it simply, it simply works!

There is also a companion book called ''Eating for Life'' which helps u make good tasting & nutritionally sound foods.

Please, give this program a try & the best of wishes to you.

l can relate to you. although l am not overweight YET . l am 140 at 5-6 . however l have gained 70 of these pounds in the last year once recovering from anorexia . l binge most days & can endless amounts. l try a diet for two days & give up. l just wast to have a natural & good relationship with food but it seems impossible. l have little advise but one thing l do to give me motivation is look at picture of skinny girls & remember when l was happy & had a great body ( 110 pounds) & had no disordered eating
xxx email me at pollypingpong.com

Hi, l am 25 & yes, l can relate. Those girls in skimpy clothing who complain loudly about being 5 pounds too heavy & how fat they r are so annoying, r not they? Especially when u compare their slim shadows & reflections against ur own.

I've tried so many different attempts to lose weight too, especially diets, attempts at daily exercise that fizzled out, pills & yes, even toyed with the idea of bypass surgery.

It is wonderful u have the support of loving family & l know u r a brilliant person who shines inside:) l think perhaps you're like me, a compassionate idealist who wishes people were not treated differently because their size.

And what u get in return r thoughtless comments ( trust me, it is worse in Asia ) & ur achievements being belittled just for being overweight.Funny that a pretty celebrity drug addict is can still beadmired for her hotness, ranking higher than a 'fattie'

For me ,accepting the harsh reality that to be fat is to invite ridicule, not be at ones best & unhealthy- finally made me bite the bullet & now l go to gym days a week with a personal trainer to guide me.

Having a trainer who looks out for me , l know l can go beyond my 'one-week' wonders. (I've had a LOT of those! l just suddenly lose track & forget my routine over the weekend.)

l wish u luck!

l can. l feel the same way you do. Of course, l am also anorexic, so maybe not the complete same as you. However, like you, my confidence in myself and life has gone down. And l feel worthless at times. But, every girl feels this way. Even the thin ones. We're all beautiful in our own way! However, if exercising makes you feel better, like it makes me feel, then exercise your body the most that you feel and can! =)