Anyone else who has been overweight since they were kids???

I have been overweight to some extent since I was in the second grade (or at least that's when I notice it in pictures). I never ate really unhealthy, except at my grandma's house. When I got into high school, I lost weight doing the Atkins diet (not very healthy), but never really got down to within a healthy weight range. I kept it off throughout high school by doing cheerleading. But then in college I gained it all back plus. I like to say I gained the "freshmen 50" instead of "freshmen 15".

Since then I've struggled with trying to lose weight and not giving a crap. I've done weightwatchers several times. I think that program reall works but only if you allow it to work. Right now, I have an extremely stressful job in a law office. I think that's really keeping me from losing the weight. I'd not only like to be thin but I want to be healthy and not be out of breath just from walking up one flight of stairs. And I think it's important to get in that frame of mind young especially if you have a tendency to be heavy.

Yes, this is me. I am 53 and not until I was into my late 40s or early 50s did I understand food was controlling me rather than me controlling the food. I won't go into everything but as a child I felt that my choices of what I ate, how much, when I ate was the only thing I had control of, so many things were out of control in ,y life and family. Once I got married I continued to gain weight until I became pregnant. I always followed the suggested plans the doctor game me and b/c of that each time I lost. But once I had the baby I always returned to the illusion I was controlling things. Fast forward through 24 years of a unsupportive husband to a supportive and loving husband and happy home life, I was finally able to focus on me for a change. Why did I feel I never measured up, I did not deserve to be loved. I went back to school to fulfill my life long dream to be a teacher. Once I started teaching I lost a bit so I decided to begin working with it. I joined MFP a little over 480 days ago and while it has not been easy I do know I will make my goal.

The most important thing for me has been taking small steps until they became habits and then adding more. When I started I focused on calories as time has moved forward I now eat healthy and clean. I do not restrict myself, there are no bad foods as long as there is portion control. This is a journey not a diet. My only regret is that it took me so many years to understand the food and the weight was controlling me. Good luck and do know that it can be done !!!!!

I was always obese, from childhood until less than a year ago. Everyone keeps asking me what my goal weight is but I am not real sure because I have no thin comparison of myself to go by. I've lost 100 pounds since July of 2012 and it's interesting because there are lots of things I like about being thinner but some things I don't like.

I'm curious... what don't you like about being thinner? For me, it is the loose skin. I hate it.

Since I was a kid, and I'm now 40. Do it while you're young.

Yes I have been overweight since I was about 6 or so. I did lose a bunch of weight about 10 years ago but I put it all back on. I'm 37 and still struggling but this site helps a lot. I've only been logging for about 2 weeks and can already tell a difference.

I'm about to be 27 and have ALWAYS been overweight. I was suffering from high blood pressure and I knew that it was time for a change plus I was official in plus size clothing for the first time. I've always hovered between the juniors and plus. Now I'm trying to reverse 26 years of thinking and change my lifestyle for the better and reap all the benefits of it.

I was always obese, from childhood until less than a year ago. Everyone keeps asking me what my goal weight is but I am not real sure because I have no thin comparison of myself to go by. I've lost 100 pounds since July of 2012 and it's interesting because there are lots of things I like about being thinner but some things I don't like.

i too have no idea of a goal weight because ive never been thin. may i ask what it is you dont like about being thin :O

I remember my pediatrician's chart always having me in the 95th percentile. I always thought it was a good thing I was at the top of the paper.

Yeah! I weigh less now, at 22, then I did when I was 6 At my highest I was 265lb and I'm now down to about 156lb! So I totally get what you mean when you say you have no idea what your goal weight would be! So I have a goal range

i was overweight for about 14 years