What a nice and kind post, Stephanie...I agree and I always look in the mirror, I even look in the mirror when I do my home workouts..even though I do not like my shape..but am watching as well learning how my body image will change. Obesity is horrible, causes so much pain and I even have extremely facial hair issues that bugs me the most, but have learned in so many years of doctors and test..the only way to remove this facial hair is when my weight is reduced..Mirrors is a true item that we all should focus on and watching our progress ..Its a mental process, as well a learning path on how our body will change from heavy to slim and lead a healthy lifestyle.

Liliann :) (((((hugs))))))

Stephanie, thanks for a lovely post. I wish more people here would be positive about their bodies whatever their size.

Liliann, it doesn't make sense to me to say obesity is horrible. It is not horrible, it is not anything, it's just a shape, a number on a scale. It is like saying tallness is horrible, or blue eyes. The only way it has emotions attached to it is if we attach them.

You may not like your overall shape but can you work on it? Is there any single body part you like? Even if you do not like your body, it might help to be thankful to it, for functioning so well. Think of something like your pancreas, or taste buds, or retinas. Just because you can't see them, they don't get a second thought. Yet they work day by day. Look into the biology of your body and how amazing it is.

@Lizzie...I don't know your weight status, but my obesity and most other folks that deals with morbid obesity that is bedridden and not able to move and have health issues. My obesity at weighing over 400 Lbs, have a huge belly and facial hair. All my years on weight loss efforts,loss and gain.. I had dealth with very deep depression in the past due of my weight. The physical side of it as well, ankle and knee pains, sciatica....I am grateful am able to be light active and other folks who is over 400 Lbs can not do any physical exercise... Being out of shape is no fun at all. As I mention, don't know your weight, but I do understand your point and be happy with our shape and sizes. You may like your shape now, but for me and my life battle as many, many folks deal with being at 400 Lbs is not a good life..I speak for myself and my bad experinces of my shape is causing me. You try to gain weight at 400 Lbs and you will see the bad side effects obesity does.

I can understand on society that there are many BBW and loving thier shapes..Its complex .

Liliann

I don't know everything, for sure, but what I do know is I really like you guys and even tho you may not like anything about your size, body, etc., I like your heart. You put it out there for all to see and you go out of your way to share what you are going thru and to try to help others. You are all so inspirational and just know that even tho we haven't met face to face, you are inspiring me to get better, to get healthy, and to be a better person.
And for that, I thank you, and I think you are awesome as you are now and will continue to be awesome when you reach whatever goal you have in your own mind.
So, keep inspiring - all of you!
Looking forward to your posts.
Lisa