Share the REAL reasons why you're fat (or too thin)

xampx

I ate too much of the wrong things and didn't do any exercise

wildchild06241

Never was really fat or too thin. I gained 20 pounds in the last couple of years due to quitting smoking (again) and an injury to my knee. I had been exercising 1 -2 hours 5 days a week and then my knee went bad. I pushed through it for a while and then backed off the exercise hoping it would go away. It didn't. Then there was the surgery and pain. When I'm in pain I eat chocolate and sweets to make me feel better. (I don't like pain killers). This went on for months. The healing took way longer than it should and by then I was in the habbit of eating unhealthy things. I needed motivation to stop. Hubby like me with the extra weight so he never complained. My gym started a biggest loser contest in January and I had my incentive. I'm back to a healthy lifestyle. Healthy eating and 1-2 hours of exercise 6-7 days a week. And I'm down 15 of the 20 pounds.

LauraDotts

I spent too many years blaming myself and lack of will power for being fat. When what I was really fighting was PCOS/insulin resistance. I was never a binge eater or an emotional eater.

I was a tiny child. In grade school I was always the smallest in the room. I was raised with good eating habits. When puberty hit at age 13 I literally jumped from about 90 lbs to 154 lbs in 1 summer. I stayed that weight throughout high school. After high school I got married, had my first baby and started to diet. Every time I attempted the standard low calorie diet I would lose 20 lbs, stop losing and then gain it back with 20 pounds more regardless of how well I stuck to the diet. I did that 3 or 4 times and then completely stopped dieting out of self-defense. Then over the years I slowly accumulated more weight.

10 years ago I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. My doctor put me on the South Beach diet. That was my first ever low carb diet. I lost 70 pounds easily. I did a lot of reading during that time and discovered that I had the symptoms of PCOS/insulin resistance since that first period at the age of 13. My so called "lack of will power" was due to the constant highs and sudden drops of blood glucose levels. I also learned that I could not lose any significant weight on a low calorie diet that included fruit and grains. Unfortunately, due to life circumstances and "diet fatigue" and wanting to believe that I could get away with more carbs I strayed away from the low carb lifestyle. I slowly gained back that 70 pounds.

Last May (2012) I, again, accepted that I had to get back to a low carb lifestyle in order to control diabetes. Since then I have continued to learn more about type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, PCOS and the relationship between food and hormones. I'm learning to not let eating differently than everybody else bother me. I'm becoming okay with not eating cake and desserts at birthday parties, holidays and social gatherings. I'm not just trying to lose weight to look better. I'm managing a disease/syndrome. Being fat is a symptom not a failing.

Tzippy7

I was always the chubby kid, despite the fact that my parents were and are health nuts and wouldnt let me use any electronics till I got my "daily exercise". In highschool I had disordered eating to combat my innate chubbiness, I ate dinner because thats the meal my family would notice if I skipped. Needless to say, that ****ed up my metabolism. When I got to college and entered a relationship with someone who was unhealthy everything sort of fell apart. It was my first time being around unhealthy food and at first I stayed away from it but being with someone who eats 4 slices of pizza and a sub for dinner and looks great can be a bad influence on a 5 foot girl with a ****ty metabolism. I gained 40 lbs in one semester. (also was on the pill) It took me forever to be myself again, this weight gain was a symptom of me losing myself in a relationship and forgetting that I had an identity. I snapped out of it november of last year, started losing weight and doing better in school, broke up with the boyfriend in feb. of last year. This past year has been the best year of my life. I remember who I am, I am confident and I am happy enough with myself to be able to do what I want to do.

katekross

I drank 4 nights a week in college and after we ate pizza, subs, and crap food. I ate a lot of campus food also

megleighd

Food is my bad habit. Like a drug, I don't think about anything when I am stuffing my face. The good news is I realize this and I can fix it but some times I relapse when my stress level is high. The bad news is with drugs and alchohol your body doesn't NEED it so it can be easier to quit, food on the other had is more difficult. You need food to live, but someone with a food addiction really has to be self aware and manage and thats my struggle.

PicNdazy

Wine, Wine and more Wine! Calories add up when your too tipsy to count!

FUELERDUDE

When I was a child, I was skinny! I ate like a horse but was so thin my grandparents thought my parents never fed me (They threatened my parents they'd call the gov't to have me removed if they didn't start feeding me, lol). I remained a healthy weight all the way through about 21-22. I never worried about what I ate and I was very active. Then I started getting older and disinterested, as well as BEER!

I started to drink heavily and stopped doing a lot of the things I used to do, like hiking, jet skiing, camping, working at a labor intensive job and I started to gain some weight and depression also started to set in. I got to the point where I'd drink myself silly a few times a week, eat nothing but hamburger helper, McDonalds, Pizza Hut, etc....... Then it got a DUI.

When I received a DUI, I realized I had to change my life or I was going to kill myself and others if I did not. I actually was able to get on a diversion program and took it seriously. Instead of enrolling in a $500.00 therapy course for DUI, I enrolled in what was considered one of the most in depth ones. During this process, I discovered I was not dealing with everyday and past issues in a positive and effective manner. This is when I started to work out. I found it gave time for me to be by myself and just think and challenge myself physically and mentally at the same time. I went from 224 to 172 in a matter of 3 months. Then I met my first wife.

I started slacking going to the gym after I met my first wife. I felt as if I were cheating her of me by going to the gym so much plus, to be honest, I enjoyed the new high I got from the new relationship. In this relationship, I really didn't put us at the top of the priority list. I, instead went down things like a checklist to a supposedly happy American life. We bought a new car, check. We bought a house we really couldn't comfortably afford, check. I started working, essentially, two full time jobs so we had lots o' money, check...... Then things started falling apart.

I had no time for myself anymore, let alone the relationship with her. I ate poorly, because I felt fast food was my only option. I was angry all of the time because all I ever did was work, fast food, next job, home to sleep, and back to work. I probably only averaged 4-5 hours of sleep every day. Needless to say I put belongings before my health (Physical and mental), my relationship, my family.....everything. Then my ex filed for divorce.

This caused me to panic as the boxes were being unchecked by her! How dare she, I worked so hard for everything we had for her to go and do that (Come to find she was doing other things as well.)! I do place blame on her for some of what happened, but I had complete control of a lot of things which went wrong. I forgot the lessons of balance in my life from the counseling I received from the DUI program. I went to counseling again, quite the second job, sold the expensive house, and moved back in with mom and dad. I also started going to the gym again. I did't go quite as often, or pushed myself as hard as I should have. I was going because it made me feel good as well as hoping to be able to find friends (I've never been able to easily make friends, even to this day.). Then I decided I was ready to start dating again.

I met my, now, wife. She's an amazing woman and I don't know how she suffers me on most days. We would dance, play games, go camping, and other activities for the first couple of years. her workload at school increased and she started to have to not do so many things so as to focus on academics. I could have kept going to the gym and other activities as she doesn't stop me, but I felt wrong if I left her alone so I could go and do such. (I forgot I bought a much more affordable house during this time frame as well.) I started cooking less and less as I hate washing dishes/cleaning up. With that being the case, fast food to the rescue once again! I stopped going to the gym, even though I kept the membership up. I started a new position at work which is more sedentary than what I was doing....... On came the pounds, and fast. I went from a 38 to a 42 waist in about a year. Then my size 42 jeans were fitting tight.

I realized I was not comfortable in my jeans and I should do something about it, but I didn't. I got to the point where I felt the need to unfasten the button on my jean while sitting, but still didn't do much more than stop drinking soda (In retrospect that was a huge deal as I love soda!). Then my mom called me saying my dad needed to go to the hospital.

My dad has had 2 stroke, diabetes for 18 years, has kidney issues, liver issue, and a host of other issues. He refuses to go to the hospital in an ambulance due to the costs. While I was rushing him to the hospital, he blacked out and went limp. I thought I had lost him, but he came to shortly after. While in the hospital he bluntly told me "This is what's going to happen to you if you don't stop. Please don't let that happen.". I spent a few weeks mulling over what my dad had said, the impact of what I was doing on myself, my relationship, work, and those I love. I decided, for the first time in my weight loss ventures, I needed to change for myself.

I started working out again and eating healthy. I am not doing this because I want to be that hot guy. I am not doing this because I like the feeling I get when I work out. I am not doing this because I think it'll make my relationship with my wife better. I am not doing this at the sole request of my father either. I am doing this, this time, because I don't want to have the issues my dad has. I want to be proud of myself. I want to look as good a man as I know I am. I want to survive and win in life, and this is part of doing just such!

jzebracki

What a great idea!

In 2006, both of my parents passed away within four months of each other. I am an only child, so I didn't have any siblings to help out during their last illnesses, although my husband was very supportive and helpful. After their deaths, I became very depressed and turned to emotional eating. My husband and I would eat dinner at buffet restaurants three or four times a week. (My husband is also overweight, but hasn't had his "aha!" moment yet - despite my recent encouragement to get healthy.) Each year, my weight went up, but I couldn't stop the attraction to food. The more I ate, the more I wanted. 87 pounds later, I looked in the mirror right after my 51st birthday and decided this has to stop. I am not a happy or healthy person. Since May of 2012, I have lost 47 pounds, and I still have 45 to go. I have been stalled out, and I know I am going to get the continued support and encouragement for me to reach my goal with MFP.

AwesomeTriathlon

Gained 40lbs in about 3 years from next to no exercise and lots of eating and alcohol :-/ Down almost 18lbs and still counting!

trainmean1

CAUSE. I EAT TOO ****ING MUCH! SRY I LOVE CURSING, **** **** **** ****!

kaa02c

Hell I just like to eat. My family has always celebrated everything over food. Carbs are my fave. I even eat when I am stressed!

caity_cupcake

I didn't care enough about myself to take care of myself. I didn't think I was worth it. So I did what made me happy - eat. Now I know better.

bonitacash08

Being a member of the clean plate club. We didn't always have enough to eat when I was growing up so I have a subconcious (well now conscious) fear of being hungry. I feel the need to eat everything in sight because A) it tastes good and I have to eat it all in addition to no exercise got me 40 pounds overweight and very unhappy

EvilDollee

I just like to eat.

Trilby16

I love to eat! I could just eat and eat and eat and eat. It has nothing to do with hunger. Also, when I'm, bored at work, I wanna eat. And I love sweets and carbs, but I do prefer whole grain stuff. But still! I would eat too much of it if I could.

babydiego87

Too much of the wrong things. Having takeaways when I like. Not eating enough greenery or fruits. Being extremely sedentary. I'm not 'fat' per say, but I am definetely out of shape and working towards fixing that

5hellz

Honestly, I just got lazy. Oh, and I couldn't give up my Mountain Dew. I mean, 5-6 20oz Mt. Dews per day. And then I realized that I was missing out on a lot of picture moments with my family because of the way I looked.

So, I have replaced the Mt. Dew with water and the sitting on the couch all day every day with going to the gym for at least 1 1/2 hours every day! I'm eating healthier, feeling better, and working out.

We are going to the beach this summer and I want to be 60 pounds lighter and whole lot healthier!

NeewMee

I ate too much and moved too little. Got fat Got depressed about being fat. Ate more. Moved less. Got fatter. Repeat ad nauseum.

This.
+
I was diagnosed with malignant thyroid cancer in 2007 and had my thyroid removed. Went through RAI treatments while my husband was deployed. You'd be surprised what that little gland controls. Most days I couldn't even get out of bed and it took two years to finish my treatments and get my medication right. At that point, again while my husband was deployed, I was diagnosed with PCOS and uterine cancer and just gave up. I gave into my illnesses. I felt worthless and defeated by my own body. But not anymore. If I am going to be tired or ill or in pain all of the time I might as well do something to cause it! These past few months I feel better than I have in years!!

lilmissbamaqueen

I was always really thin until I was about 21, ate whatever I wanted and never worried about it, and it just all caught up with me. Add in a REALLY bad marriage, a couple of emotional disorders, and some really bad relationships since then, and I went from always being about 115 lbs and fitting comfortably in a size 4/6 jean to 180 lbs and a size 16. That's pretty much the gist of it.

blueeyeddragon2115

I have always been overweight my whole life but when i was a kid i was active swimming 2 hours a night 5 nights a week rollerblading 2 hours a night 5-7 nights a week. I like to eat. Always eaten pretty healthy I grew up in a good family and we ate family meals i would eat seconds and thirds before my oldest sister (who has always been skinny) would finish her first. I was always more active, always hungry but i never knew when to stop eating, i never felt full. In high school i weighed about 200-210 lbs on my 5'3 frame. I wore a size 14-16 pant, boarderline overweight. My father would always tell me i needed to lose weight which only made me eat more. As a kid i ate because i was upset or happy. i was very active and i was never the last kid to finish the mile i ran an 8 min mile while being that heavy. My family has always said i'm big boned built like a little s*** brick-house.

When i left for college i stopped swimming and rollerblading constantly. Books took over activity and i gained weight up to about 250. I tried diets even mpf and they worked for a while but i was just too busy at college having fun studying and not paying enough attention to what i'm eating. I love icecream and cakes i can eat a quarter of a gallon of icecream in one sitting without thinking about it. I also used to eat brownie batter and cake batter by the box when i was a kid.

Then i met the man of my dreams we are getting married in april and i let myself go skyrocketing up to 275 and a size 18-20 pant. i've gone up, i've gone down but ultimately i never have had the will power or motivation to stick with it. Counting calories works i know it does, i just gotta do it.

Do or Do Not there is no Try. --Yoda

wormy80

bumping

kyleesartwell

I was fairly thin throughout my whole life and then my weight escalated when I was in college. I gained the "Freshman 15" plus some. I wish there was something like MFP back then but no need to dwell in the past. It's a new day and a new decade and its time to shed this weight for good!

Brianna716

Short version= laziness coupled with love of (junk) food and lack of portion control.

Long version= I was carless, walking to work which definitely burned calories. I was also pretty poor which meant not being able to afford overeating. Then I got a better job and a car... no more walking, more money for junk food, and less time to cook because I started college. Oh yeah, I did have an alcoholic boyfriend for a while, and I started drinking beer with him... all that beer didn't help either.

nicolemtracy

Growing up I was the one singled out by the other girls in my school, on my street and in my church. I tried soooo hard to get them to like me. I used to follow them everywhere, even buy them gifts, which for a broke elementary student was a big deal. There must have been something wrong with me that made them hate me so much and I wish I would have known what it was. Because of this I have pretty much always had very low self esteem and was painfully shy. I hated myself. I even tried to kill myself once. That was in 9th grade.
About 6th grade was when I started putting on weight. My family was pretty sedentary and my mom and dad's cooking was rich, creamy and delicious and we often went back for second helpings.
My high school year I decided "Screw those girls who ruined my life!" and decided that no one was going to feel unloved and unwanted as long as they knew me. I was very popular in high school, though not with the "popular" kids. I was friends with all the "rejects", the nerds, anime freaks, goths, druggies. They were my friends and I loved them all. I don't think any of them noticed the mask I was wearing. I tried so hard to look happy and smile and go out of my way to say hi, but I was dying on the inside. I still hated myself, still wanted to die and considered it a few times, but didn't want to take the cowardly way out...
That's pretty much it, sorry it's so long and such a downer. It's funny how I'm 24 now and even writing it as I am now is still painful and brings a lot of emotion with it. I am still pretty sedentary, but at least I exercise in the morning and am trying harder to eat better. I'm determined to become a me I can be proud of, one that I'll like looking at in the mirror, and maybe one that I can love.

khall86790

Overeating from being depressed because I got treated badly in a relationship (was constantly getting cheated on, chose to stay, very foolish) and then doing the same because I was fat surrounded by a bunch of skinny friends who always got chased by guys while I got left behind.

jenniferswooten

I ate too much and moved too little. Got fat Got depressed about being fat. Ate more. Moved less. Got fatter. Repeat ad nauseum.

Yep me too

vblair77

To sum it up: Denial. I've always been on the thicker side (5'6" tall, size 11/12, weighed approx 150 lbs) but after I had kids and my pants went to a 14...then a 16...and now an 18...I was just in denial that it was really a big deal. And because I carry my weight really well it was easier to deny it. And quite honestly if my stomach wasnt so disgusting, I'd probably still be just a happy little clam living my life of denial. But this tummy's gotta GO! LOL

4brats2angels

Well start off...I was always so thin I used to get made fun of for being that way growing up all through school even in high school! Shortly after graduating I got married had two kids got fat...I lost the weight a year after having my second and felt great about myself! Got a divorce lost even more weight...then found the Love of my life we had been trying to have a baby starting in 2004 and in 2006 it finally happened! But I lost her, my baby Rain. I ate out of depression and put on quite a bit! In 2007 we got pregnant again but unfortunately I lost him, our baby Silas. So needless to say I packed on 60lbs by this point! In 2008 we got pregnant again and this time I gave birth to a precious little girl, Zella Paz! I stayed the same weight for a while then I had to have surgery in 2009, I had a blood clot on my ovary that was excrusiatingly painful...I died on the operating table and was resucitated. Fell into a deep depression and gained another 70lbs. I was up to 287!!! I needed something active to do so I started doing Roller Derby in the first year I lost 60lbs I was over the moon! But after a concusion, whiplash and a broken tailbone at one point my husband wanted me to quit! I was heart broken this was my new love and I felt like I just broke up with my awesome lover lol So my weight stayed the same I started mfp because my 4 year old thought I was having a baby because in her words my tummy was fat! A friend of my husbands looked at wedding pictures of us and said wow whos that girl and I just looked at him holding back tears and said thats me! I had to do something so I started here and so far in 3 weeks I've lost 5 pounds and couldn't be happier!

Lilyyy7

I am 5'6 currently weighing in at 136.

I reached the weight of 163 TWICE in my life.

1st - I was depressed. My relationship was a failure, my home life was falling apart. Going out every weekend and trying to take the pain away with alcohol.

2nd - I was in another failure of a relationship, probably worse than the last one. It pretty much took over my whole life, flipped it and made it something it wasn't.

Today... I am FREE. Love YOURSELF above all else! Never let ANYONE take away the things that you love the most.
I will never put myself through that again. I am in the best shape I have been since 2009. Good luck guys!