220 Lbs to Lose & looking for friends

LarStar

Hi Everyone! I've stuggled with weight my entire life. From the time I was 1 yr old my parents started taking me to a dietitian, somehow believing that it was my responsibility to make the right food decisions at such a young age; that belief did a number on me emotionally for many years until the time I was diagnosed with binge eating disorder when I was 22. Since that diagnosis, I started working with two eating disorder specialists, one who was a therapist and another who specialized in nutrition. They were both incredible and encouraged me to to make the changes necessary for success (moving out of my parents place and working through emotional trauma, that too many of us know far too well. The one thing that was always missing for me was a supportive community. I have lost hundreds of lbs on my own, only to gain them back when motivation is low or some personal struggle comes up.

After living with roommates for a few years to save up enough money to to afford my own place, I have moved into an apartment with my partner who is very encouraging. Now I don't have to worry about family or roommates bringing home junky food that I will find tempting and have the opportunity to have the fridge and cupboards filled with healthy choices instead of potential binge foods.

My potential triggers will be when I visit with my family, as every person in the family has some sort of eating difficulty, it not an disorder that has been diagnosed, but not addressed. My main trigger will be going to work as I have an office in my parents home, so a possible slip up could occur after meeting with clients and being offered food before leaving. I will have to be diligent and take snacks to their house and avoid eating while there to ensure success until I can afford to move into a new office space,w here I will be able to control the food around me.

I want to lose 220 lbs in a gentle and healing way. Because I have been on fad diets my entire life, I know what it's like to lose a lot of weight quickly, only to gain it all back plus some, so I want to be gentle with myself and set realistic weight loss goals that I can monitor and expect to see. In the past 4 years I have changed my relationship with food and worked towards taking the idea that foods are "dangerous" out of my head and replaced those beliefs (for the most part) that all foods are ok in moderation. While I might binge from time to time, my main struggle now is overeating because I don't measure or weigh my food.

If you also have a lot or a little weight to lose and are looking for and MFP friend along the journey, I would love to work together towards our weight loss goals!

Thank you all so much for taking the time to read this

XOXO
Lara