Why me...

if it doesn't challenge you, it won't change you!

we can sit and pity ourselves all day and wish we were somebody else but in my experience this just breeds self-loathing and resentment.. your body is capable of extraordinary things- you've already recovered from a car accident.. being alive is a reward in itself.

Don't want to be mean but if you want it bad enough you'll keep going and find a way to make it work for you.. if not you'll find an excuse. Sounds like you're motivated by other people and what they're doing, though. Perhaps you could find a fitness buddy with similar goals who could help keep you accountable and make exercise more enjoyable?

Your mind is your only limit! Hope you find some motivation and a can do attitude to keep you going.

I grew up with a naturally thinner, more athletic friend. She puts on muscle far more naturally than me, while I put on fat. At one point she had gotten up to around 160lb (she's tall so it didn't even look bad on her) but she got serious about her body and had this one specific way she wanted to look and worked towards it until she got there. Never had to count calories or weigh food, etc.

That's great for her and all, but as for me I wore a size 22 pants by jr high. By university, my highest weight had gotten to 318lb. But now I'm down 100lb to 217lb, it's been slow and hasn't been easy.

Some people's genetics tend toward gaining weight, some people are emotional eaters, some people have complexes and low self-esteem which compound upon any other combination of risk factors for gaining weight.

For me, I wasn't an emotional eater at all for which I'm grateful. I didn't eat when I was sad or stressed or unhappy--the closest I ever came was being too tired to cook so I would grab food somewhere. It was my low self-esteem that made me feel hopeless, that stopped me from making and adhering to positive lifestyle and eating changes that would help shed the weight. Growing up overweight, getting teased for it, even as a young child just compounded upon itself again and again. I thought any changes I tried to make would be pointless, but then I actually MADE those changes. And they weren't pointless at all. My losses already have proved that, I weigh less now at 28 than I did in Jr. High and I wear a size 18 jeans not a 22.

Anyway, if nobody around you in real life is going through this, use this community board and take strength from us here. Many of us here have gone through what you have, we'd all love to have naturally fast metabolisms, "skinny" genes, etc. But all of us here are struggling, taking each day as it comes.

Try to stay positive and focuses on your goals. It's okay for your motivation to falter sometimes, just do what you have to do to feel better and be more active!

I suffer from terrible depression and the weight gradually crept on I was skinny and fit till 20. A fit 55 kgs for my 5"3' frame. Now I am obese 87 kgs. I workout religiously but sometimes stumble where my diet is concerned. Also your metabolism slows down as you age. The best way to fight it is keep a clean diet and workout regularly!!

It sounds like you need to see a therapist. Regardless of what you do with your weight goals. You sound depressed, which is not that weird if you have a long recovery from an automobile accident. I have been in your shoes, and it is an experience that changes your life, especially at a young age. A therapist could help you move past what has happened.

I too have struggled with overweight since 6 years old. I am 57 but remember how my own sister and I ate the same, played the same, and she stayed slim and trim and I ballooned. Do this for you, think of why you are doing it, what do you want to achieve....most of all, small steps, much patience!