I have been big for as long as I can remember. In the early 80s and 90s I remember all my friends used to find boyfriends but I didn’t. I remember starting my first office job and people talked to me as though I was thick or a naughty child when, in fact, I had a brain just like them but I also had extra weight.
I remember going to slimming clubs since the age of 13 and I remember one leader saying she had a little pig ornament and that was for me as I had put weight on. I remember running home crying my eyes out. I have tried so many classes over the years but I have always given in and joined the queue of slimmers on a Friday night getting fish and chips after their weigh in!
Moving on...
In 1997 I met my husband and he has been absolutely amazing. He has complimented my when I have felt so low and he has given me such confidence. We decided to marry in 2000 and I though having a baby would be a doddle. I was wrong. Six years later and no baby. I used to go to the doctors and straight away they would tell me my weight was a problem and further help was refused. On one occasion I went to hospital and a particularly insensitive female medic said that she could not see my ovaries because I had so much fat. Again I was in tears.
Motivated to have a baby ….
Trying for a baby made me look for all sort of ways to lose weight. I did think about having a lap band but my family and friends were not keen on this idea. I was so glad I found the Healthier Weight programme. My husband came to the appointment and I saw Erica and after five and a half months I have lost 71 pounds. I can’t begin to tall you how good this feels and hopefully I will be able to have a baby.
Thanks
So once again thanks to all at HWC and also I want to say thank you to all my family for believing in me and helping me. Thanks to Margaret and Debbie for the yoga sessions and being such good supports! Also thanks from the bottom of my heart to my colleagues and friends – you know who you are. It is such a good feeling when you walk past a shop window and say hello to yourself due to the fact that you don’t recognise the person staring back.
So if you are thinking of losing weight and don’t fancy obesity surgery, do this programme and listen to your health educator and to the doctor or nurse. You won't be sorry.
Merry Christmas to everyone.
Best wishes from Linda
December 2006
This extract has been written by Linda, a patient on the Birmingham weight loss programme
