My doctor was very discouraging. She told me there is little that can be done with the medications I am on, but she is happy that I am exercising because it will make me fit and boost my energy.

To be honest I would like weight loss for all of my efforts.

Fortunately, I have an understanding husband and friends. I often worry if my children will be embarrassed by me someday, but they are good boys and want me at their events.

I think everybody is beautiful no matter what their weight. My therapist and I talked long and hard about what beauty really is..she went to a convention about body image and beauty. Truly beauty to me is not about being the skinny or plump..it is in a persons heart. I went on strike for awhile with coloring my hair and wearing lots of makeup after that...just less makeup a more natural look. I am glad I have done that because I want to love me for who I am. That doesn't mean I will always go this natural but I feel like this has been a time to reflect on my inner beauty.

We all have inner beauty.

I think it is great though to hear so many positive stories about people here who want to be active for their health as well.

I would take your mom to the grocery store and hand her 15 pounds of butter. And then ask her what she would do if thaking a pill put that much weight on her thru no fault of her own. /and make her answer it before she could set the butter down.

Then tell her she really hurts your feeling when she makes remarks about your weight. The meds slow down your metabolism and other then have a nutrutuionist and a personal trainer aat your side it wouldnt make much difference what you did to lose weight. And that her remarks are just going to cause you to be depressed and get suicidal and then that would be her fault if you kill yourself.

People who mess with me about mweight get this lecture.