Introduce Yourself

kmbrooks15

We need a place to introduce ourselves, so here it is. I'll have to do my intro later; I'm at work and really need to get busy instead of playing around on MFP!

persephone87

I'm a survivor of sexual abuse from about 3-10 I dont remember a lot and I was raped at 15, then met my abusive ex at 17 who was mentally emotionally and sexually abusive for years, I still have problems with him he used to insult my weight but also refused to let me eat properly he controlled everything and I had no chance to eat as I wanted so I put 3 stone on.

kmbrooks15

I'm glad he is an EX!

I often wonder if I should change the title of this group to Survivors of Abuse. It's not just sexual abuse that leaves serious scars and food issues behind! Emotional and physical abuse will do it, too.

persephone87

I'm glad he is an EX!

I often wonder if I should change the title of this group to Survivors of Abuse. It's not just sexual abuse that leaves serious scars and food issues behind! Emotional and physical abuse will do it, too.

I think so but CSA is a common abbreviation, I think abuse of all kinds is probably more open.

erinrose07

Up to you guys, but I kind of think different types of abuse affect people in very different ways. I think you gain more support if you have members that can specifically relate to your past and what you're dealing with. Again, up to you guys though.

moushtie

I've actually seen different types of abuse have much the same effect on people, but I also like keeping this group specific, as it keeps it smaller and cozier. I think it makes it easier for people to open up, knowing that the only people reading it are people who have experienced similar situations. There are so many groups on MFP, that I'm sure there are other groups for families of alcholics, and domestic abuse, and all that sort of thing.

LuckyAng

I agree to keep it to this specific type of abuse. I have survived both types, and they had very different effects on me.

BinaryPulsar

Hello Everyone, I am a survivor also. Nice to meet you all.

icimani

Hello everyone - I'm called icimani - ici for short.

I'm a survivor of CSA, nearing the end of my healing journey with an excellent therapist. For me, losing the weight is a way of finding myself again, and a way of learning to fly.

brandiuntz

Hello, everyone! I'm a CSA survivor. Developed PTSD as a result of it. Many years with a good therapist have me in a healed and healthy place. I started my "weight loss/get healthy journey" more as the result of a breakup (and doctor visit wake up call). All of it ties in, though. Body-Mind-Spirit working together to get me to happiness in life.

I'm 5 pounds from my goal weight. I hope I can offer support and encouragement to all of you.

reneelee

Hello I'm a survivor of physical and mental abuse from my father. I have many wounds that took years to mend. So thankful to have a supportive loving husband, he loved me though the low times and repeatedly told me that me dad was a big baby and it took him a long time to grow up. I was sexually molested at 3-5 years old. I remembered my step grandfather waking me up early and having doughnuts while touching me. Thank GOD he live out of state, so this happened a handful of times. Was also molested by a female baby sitter made me do things I didn't want to do. Told her I didn't want to do it, but she forced it on me. I think she was scared I would tell, because it never happened again. Was raped as a virgin at 16 , by my best friend, brothers best friend. Would have never seen that coming, because he was such a attractive smart guy. He new 6 languages at 18 and was learning Japanese, because he wanted to become the ambassador to Japan. Two years later I ran into his younger brother and he looked down his nose at me and called me a slut. I was strong and had my wits about me and said without missing a beat that his brother is a rapist. I think it shook him up : ).

HurricaneElaine

Hi. I just joined this group yesterday. Survivor of CSA and a few others. I'll post more later.

dubist

Hello Everyone, I am a survivor also.

kater1978

I am a woman, who was created for a purpose and a reason. I did not remember what was holding me back from being the best version of myself, until a couple of years ago. My husband walked into my life and loved me unconditionally exactly where I was at that time. I had a safe place to remember and begin to heal with him by my side. I have had a relationship with God, but God was able to use him to show me practically what love without conditions is like. In the past year I haven't talked with my family, they have chosen not to believe me because the abuse involved some family members. It has been a very hard year, but very freeing. I am discovering who I am for the first time. The last piece of the puzzle that is holding me back from being all I can be is my weight. I have used it as a physical barrier to others, and it gives me a false sense of security. I have hated my body for a very long time. I have felt that at times it has betrayed me and needed to be punished. This is a lie. I am not hurting anyone but myself by not treating my body in a healthy way. I am learning to listen to when I am hungry and attempting to reconnect to understand it more. I know this may seem silly to those who haven't been abused, but it is a daily battle for me to stay present with what is happening in my body. I am finally committed, and surrendered to being healthy. This is a gift for all the crap my body has been through by me and others. Thanks for being here.

icimani

Hello!

This group isn't very active, but I happened to see your name - welcome!

It sounds like you've come a long way. That's so great to hear!
Feel free to send me a friend request. There are just some things that non-survivors can't understand, and it's good to have some friends who 'get it'.

rachellosesitall85

I see no one has posted in a few months but I thought I'd join anyway. I'm Rachel, I'm a survivor of both physical abuse (mother) and sexual abuse and sodomy (multiple abusers) and I'm just starting my journey to healing. The physical abuse lasted around 18 years and the sexual abuse went on for about 11 years. I, like others, use food as an armor to repel men. This started as my early years of being a teenager towards the end of the abuse. I'm scared but I know this is something I need to get through so I can live the life I've always wanted.

icimani

Welcome, Rachel.

Good for you for taking those first steps toward healing. It is scary and it's a lot of work, but it's a journey worth taking!

Peskyanimal

My name is Andrea. I was molested by my older brother's friend.

jkprof

Hi everyone, i'm jan. i like the group focus because body recovery has so much to do with emotional eating, CSA, and approaches to support recovery (health and emotion). i'm pretty much an emotional eater and MFP helps me monitor carefully--which i like. the connections to CSA are obvious. I struggle with anxiety and depression (as many on here) and i find that the exercise is the part that helps me sleep well enough to function in the world.

i've had a down turn the last 2 weeks. the scale is still lower than it had been but after 6 or 8 weeks of cardio, weights and yoga and 10lbs lost i've really lost my body gains--it is frustrating. i want to give up; but i cannot. i want to have a healthy life. Any encouragement welcomed. jk

jkprof

hi Andrea, sorry for your losses; How does MFP help you?

icimani

Hi Jan,

Wlecome to the group!

i've had a down turn the last 2 weeks. the scale is still lower than it had been but after 6 or 8 weeks of cardio, weights and yoga and 10lbs lost i've really lost my body gains

I'm curious - and not sure what you mean by losing weight, increasing yourhelath, but losing "body gains"?

Don't give up! It's a long haul and it'a lot of work - but it's worth it. It's an investment in YOU!

Peskyanimal

I don't lie to my self about what or how much I am eating. By being brutally truthful with my self I am now holding my self accountable for what I put in my body. Asking my self " are you really hungry or bored or ...". It is really working, SO glad I found MFP.

jkprof

Hi ICI,
thank you for responding. by body gains i mean the leaner look and feel i was getting from weightlifting, yoga, and proper nutirition. i had a big set back when i got busy at work and then had a fall on a horse thus dissallowing my routines. tonight i am trying to get back to the gym and do cardio and the pool (a recuperative activity for my muscles which are still bruised). thanks again, will check in every couple of days.

How is your journey going? jk

jkprof

i agree with you and mfp allows that brutal honesty. what i lke is that even if i had a terrible day (i.e. cheese cake binge or no activity) it is generally not as "bad" as my emotional mind believed or told myself. that is reassuring, allowing me to start anywhere at any moment back on the healthier track. at this stage of my life i am willing to not be perfect but i want to gain my figure back and live well and strong in the next 35 or 40 (whatever i have left.).

Stay strong. Be you. Heal the inner self. jk

icimani

jk,

I'm so sorry to hear about your fall, but I'm glad to hear that you're able to get back into exercising. The pool should really help! But take it sow and don't overdo it!

9thChakra

Just saying hello. Don't really want to discuss my past at this time. Here is what I wrote in my recent forum intro:

Hello. I've been away from MFP for some time but I am back and want to start using it more frequently. If you would like, please read my profile to find out more about me.

For now:

-If you are someone who is interested in seeing what someone else is doing here, you are positive and you are not dependent on others for your happiness then you may want to consider following me.

-I have opened my diary, profile and blog to the public for those that are curious as to what someone else does here on MFP.

-I'm open to gaining "friends" who would like to follow my progress as little or as often as they want.

-I am currently interested in using the MFP site as a tool in my journey with food and movement rather than as a social network and will likely rarely communicate with the "friends" I make.

-When I do communicate I only post positive feedback.

-If "friends" want to communicate with me I respectfully ask that they consider posting minimal positive feedback and not taking it personally if I don't reciprocate. (Like I stated above...not really here for the social network).

Thanks so much for considering and have a great day!

9thChakra