Obesity Support Group

OOPS.... No. 8 got lost...

8. I don't want to struggle with seat belts any more!

I WOULD LOVE TO READ OTHER PEOPLE'S LISTS AS WELL...ANYONE LIKE TO ADD THEIR LIST???

Great idea, I'll give it a go:

1. My weight has strained my knees to the point that I now need surgery...so, I don't want to keep damaging my joints.

2. Because of the knee problem, I recently was put on work restrictions and consequently lost my job, so, I want to be able to work in any field of choice without physical limitations.

3. I want to be able to wear clothing styles that express my personality, but my current weight limits me to specialty stores with styles that are nice, but not me at all.

4. I know who I am on the inside...a free spirit (my youngest son calls me a hippie) who enjoys hiking, but this body neither reflects this nor permits it.

5. A discussion group I belonged to last year discussed societal obligations...what they are or should be. A woman sitting directly across from me said, "Society should NOT have to pay for the inevitable medical problems of the obese!" I haven't been back since. I want to never have to endure such shame and embarassment again.

6. My husband's family are obsessed with weight and appearance...guaranteed at every holiday gathering that somebody's going to bring up dress size, calories, some imagined poochy tummy...you know the drill. I want to sit through a meal with these people even just once in my future where I won't give such talk a second thought.

7. I want to occasionally slip on a little black dress and enjoy the formal events my husband needs me to accompany him to.

8. I want my children to finally see their mom succeed at this goal that has been as a much a part of their childhood as it has of my adult life.

9. I want to go to my 20-year high school reunion...I simply won't go if I don't lose the weight.

10. At a community pool a few years ago, I was relaxing while my kids swam. A teenaged boy sat nearby and struck up a conversation with me. I was fine with this, chatting a little about whatever. He then smiled and said he liked to f@## big women. I gave my best adult sigh of exasperation with a rude child, and said I had no time for silly kid talk. He looked surprised...I have no clue what reaction he expected, and he left. Do I have to say I NEVER want such horrible attention again?

11. I'm so darned tired of being tired all the time.

12. I don't want to deal with sleep apnea any more.

13. Right now I worry so much about eating too much in front of people, that when I meet someone for dinner, I'll have a snack before I go. I want to feel guilt-free about enjoying a decent entree in a nice restaurant once in a while.

14. I want to be able to play my guitar again...last time I picked it up, my belly really got in the way.

Well, this list could grow and grow. I'd say that's enough for now, but I may continue this list down the road.

Here's #15...can't believe I didn't think of it right away:

I want to be able to trim my toenails without working up a sweat.

I want to be able to play with my future kids and be a healthy role model
I want to feel comfortable in jeans
I want to be able to sit at the kitchen table in a real kitchen chair (our chairs have sides to them and it's uncomfortable for me to sit there).
I want to lower my cholesterol.
I want to feel good about myself.
I want to play with my dogs.
I want to sit on a classroom floor with my students without hurting.
I want to be a healthy role model for students.
I want to be able to put my socks on without having to do jumping jacks. Same with sneakers/shoes that need to be tied.
I want to lower my chances for heart disease. (My mother died from this).

17. I want to be able to fit in any restaurant booth. As it is now, some are just too uncomfortable for me.
18. FOOTWEAR!!!!I want to be able to wear heels without pain and to be able to find boots that fit over my calfs without resorting to extra wide calf styles which are limited!

19. I want to be able to cross my legs comfortably!

1)I want to shop in a "regular" size department
2)I want to smile at pictures that have me in them
3)I want to feel comfortable in planes, trains and automobiles...and on my bike too.
4)I want to be taken off of my meds
5)I don't want to be labeled obese anymore
6)I want to move freely and get around easier
7)I want my back pain to be eleviated
8)I want to be confident both on the inside and out
9)It sure would make me feel better about myself
10)Maybe then I could get pregnant

Truthseeker, I'm in total agreement with your number 12:

I don't want to stay in a job or relationship
because of my weight.

I want to be able to do my job when I graduate.

I am also in agreement with Purple4's number one reason:

I want to be able to play with my future kids and be a healthy role model.

I want to run.
To be able to play tennis.
To walk longer with my dog.
To stop buying the expensive and unattractive plus sized clothes.
To be an athletic type rather than a fat type.
And yes to have sex and not be afraid of what the guy will see LOL.
To look and feel attractive.
To decrease my depression symptoms.

I want to ride on amusement park rides (I can't fit my hips/breasts in most)
I want to run without the "ladies" flying
I want to get up the stairs and not be out of breath
I don't want to see people look up and down in disgust
I want "normal" clothes
I want to wear a bathing suit in public
I want a belly button piercing
I want a tattoo that won't stretch or sag until I'm at least 65.
I want to get pregnant and have a healthy baby
I want to have sex Cowgirl style and not feel like vomitting when I look down
I want to lie on my back without suffocating
I want to go a week without obsessing about food
I want to climb a mountain wall
I want to do yoga poses
I want to take bellydancing classes and not be embarassed
I want to stand the summer heat without sweating like a pig
I want to improve my health overall
I want to sleep without sleep apnea (I know it's mentioned but I like it)
I want to do neat dancing, like swing or jive
I want to date without worrying about my body
I want a LIFE.

That's mine!! And there's more, and I agree with every one of you... there's a lot of reasons lol

I want to know what it feels like to let a summer breeze dance on my bathing-suit clad body and not be hidden in a cover up or towel.

I want to be the rockin babe signing on stage instead of the fat chick with the nice voice.

I want to sit in a chair and not worry if I exceed the recommended weight limit!

I want to stop obsessing about being obese and living with the depression and anxiety that goes along with it. It's all I seem to think about.