I just thought I would take some time to introduce myself and give a little information about who I am.  Well, to start, my name is Jen.  I’m 27 years old.  I’ve been an Occupational Therapist for just over a year. 

It’s contradictory that I’ve wanted to work in the health field since I was a child, considering I was born and raised in such an unhealthy environment.  As I have alluded to before, I was raised by overweight parents who knew little about nutrition or a how to have a healthy relationship with food.  It doesn’t seem like someone should have to worry about having a healthy relationship with food, does it?  But I do, since I’ve struggled with my weight since I was a little girl.  I was a chubby toddler and a fat girl by elementary school.  I still remember the first and last name of the boy in second grade who called me fat.  I remember how my friends could sit on the floor with their legs straight out in front of them and their hands in their lap during movie time at school.  I had to put my arms behind me.  When I asked my mom why I had to do that, she said “well, your tummy sticks out farther than theirs does, so you have to use your arms to hold yourself up.” 

I went on to junior high as a fat teen.  I remember the boy who I had a crush on saying “hey, you’re pretty…..pretty ugly.”  That same year of junior high is when someone wrote ”pig” on my locker.  I unknowingly gave my mom multiple cries for help, but she ignored them.  Like the time I asked her where I would get clothes when I was an adult since I was already wearing a women’s size large at the age of 11.  She responded by telling me that there was another department of clothes for women like us called “plus size.”  One would think those questions would have gotten her attention and showed her that she needed to make a change in my life.  But it didn’t.  She continued to fry food and buy fast food on a daily basis.  Because of this neglect on her part, I have a much more numerous amount of fat cells than I should.  So, my fat cells shrink when I lose weight, but they are always waiting to swell back up if I eat something with too much sugar or fat.  Because of this neglect, rich food affects my body detrimentally, where it wouldn’t if I did not have so many fat cells.  The only way to remove these fat cells is to have the removed through lyposuction.  As I became older, I felt ashamed to go out in public.  When I began my weight loss progress, I went for walks with my head down.  I didn’t want to look into people’s eyes and know what they were thinking about me.  As the weight began to come off, I was slowly able to lift my head and go out in public with confidence. 

I continue to struggle with my weight and with food on a daily basis.  I am breaking away of the hold food has on my life though.  I have a great support system, which has truly helped me with my weight loss and staying focused on what I should.  I advise anyone who is trying to lose weight to get a support system.  Whether it’s friends, family, or joining Weight Watchers.  Being accountable to others and having the motivation/support of others is priceless.