I was always the fat kid in the family and remember that my eating has always been a family issue. We never snacked on our own in our family unless mother gave us a snack. Looking back we ate a very high carb diet. I don't blame my parents. We didn't have a lot of money and things like macaroni were inexpensive to feed a large family on a small budget.

I graduated highschool at 200 pounds. I remember wishing I was like the other girls and squeezing desperately into jeans and sitting in class while my legs turned blue. God forbid I woudl have to use the washrooms. I'd be in there forever, breaking a sweat as I tried to do up my jeans. What was funny was that the skinny girls were wearing tight jeans and wrestling with zippers, too! For them tight jeans were the style. For me, well, I had no choice! I often skipped lunch because I didn't want people to see me eat. At home I didn't eat breakfast often. Most of my eating happened when I got home. Bring on the macaroni!

I continued to gain weight until I was 21 and was 340 pounds. I managed to go on weightwatchers and FIGHT and struggle miserably with the old program (it wasn't like it is now. You could only have 2 tsp of fat per day an no more!) and dieted down to 240 pounds. I remember feeling so strange when I was thinner. To me, 240 was thin, alright? Especially after being 340! Anyway, I recall getting into an airline seat and having SO much room! I'd sit in a movie seat and be astonished! Every day was an adventure! I felt like I had this new body and I felt SO incredible.

Then things changed. Stress, work situations and (insert every excuse here) and I was back up to my today's journey. I tried Atkins a little while ago and it worked and I felt great. Now, I'm on it for life - and this time I mean it. I've decided to live. Period.

Mavis