i don't know about the rest of you, but I've only recently acknowledged how stressful it is to be obese. and i don't just mean physical stress. i'm talking about how being so unhealthy, uncomfortable, and socially unacceptable creates so much mental and emotional turmoil. not only that, but it's bloody expensive being obese - medications, clothes, groceries, medical treatment, etc. especially right now, with the economy so crappy, the economics of being fat just makes me more stressed out.

i guess all of the above makes me even more motivated to get the band. i'm not naive enough to believe that all this anxiety will magically disappear with the weight, but I can't imagine feeling any worse.

i often wonder if my thinner friends are aware of what is truly involved in being fat. look, i know everyone has problems and concerns (regardless of size), but it feel like 'fat stress' is something that we're just supposed to pretend doesn't exist. it's not like people around us want to hear about what it's like not fitting into restaurant booths, or how i'm scared to sit on my mom's antique chair, or that i can't get health insurance because i'm fat. it's all embarassing and a bit shameful.

ok, i think i'm finished ranting now .... thx for listening

I think one of the reasons I went ahead and got the bandwas the amount of anxiety and fear of embarrassment I was having with my weight. Fear of booths in resturants, will I fit on a rollercoaster, not fitting in a theater seat and airplane seat belts!

There is definitely a stress associated with it. A big part of it is shame. The events of not fitting in a booth, seat or getting health insurance causes us shame and then it sets us up for the vicious cycle of eating to make us feel better.

Even after losing so much weight, I sometimes am still so self conscious about fitting in places. Like last week in a group dinner, I just stood there for 5 seconds judging if I could fit in the booth...I thought no way. I did, with plenty of extra room.

The first step is realizing how you feel...so congratulations on recognizing that!

Babe,

Hang in there. Once you get the band the stress will ease up. I'll be thinking of you. God bless.