Topic : Self Image

I am 5.3 and weigh 126, but I do work out and have lots of muscles, wich weigh more than fat. If you are soft, work out a little, build some muscles.

It's all in how you see your life, I was sexually abused when I was younger(8-9),my mom and dad separeted when my younger brother died, my mom went into heavy drugs, became a prositute(hardly ever saw her) my dad became an alcoolic, he was very mean with words, but still a good dad, my mom passed away when I was 18, from aids. But the way I saw it was, "hell, I'm never gonna do that!!" I am now 29 been with the same man for 10 years, 2 boys(4and7) a house, a dog, I run a daycare and am completly happy with the life I have made for myself.

I used to be 180 after having my kids, got tired of feeling sore all the time so I decided to lose it.

Alot of people tell me that I am strong for going thru what I have been thru, and I say "yes I am" and I am proud of it, I could have easely said," I am allowed to be depressed and "fucked up, look at my past" But I decided to take the high road and just not repeat history!! Anybody can do it, if you really want to!!

Some people told my father that I should go see a doc when I was younger  because I was so exited as a child, couldn't concetrate, messy, cry baby, ect... We never went and I'm fine, Yes I did strugle and had a hard time, but who doesn't, everybody has a past, everybody has poblems, it's all how you see life and want from it.

Yes, some people do need help, let it be from people or pills, but the best way is to do what YOU think is best for YOU!! If you feel like you have to lose weight, then go ahead, if you feel like you need pills to get help, then go ahead, if you decide you are strong enough to stop the pills, then go ahead. Don't let people juge you or make decisions for you, be yourself, you will be much happier, belive me, I learned the hard and long way!!

good luck to you!!

I believe firmly that any changes we make are best grounded first in what we like about ourselves and building on that.  So....

What do you like about yourself?  Write out a list of for yourself for times you feel down about yourself.  What makes you smile or laugh?  Actually write out a list and every day do at least 3 things from the list.  What successes have you had in your life?  Knowing will help you believe you can succeed in the future.  What do you already like about your life?  What's good and you can be grateful for? 

Studies have been done and when people feel good about themselves, they physically become more attractive.  So if you don't like how you look...the optimal strategy is not to beat yourself up about how you THINK you look now but look for ways to bring moments of happiness into your life every day.  I don't mean things that numb you but that literally make you smile or laugh.  It could be funny movies, flowers, a walk in the park or on the beach.  It could be listening to happy music.  Anything that makes YOU smile or laugh.

Your value in no way depends on how you look.   Nor does it depend on what anyone else thinks of you.  You do not need to do or be anyone or anything to deserve to be here or to be happy. 

    I am aparrently depressed since I have bouts of crying over nothing I can put my finger on, I do not sleep, rather i usually cannot sleep very well. I do not have any suicidal thoughts, I rather am under the belief that I might just check out mentally and snap . I don't know what  this means because I have told people and they're not understanding what i am trying to explain. If anyone knows what this is or what it means i would be greatful to get any insight. Thanks in advance.

Check your menstal cycle, I know, that for me, 2 weeks before I start I'm a total nut case, yell, cry, jump down peoples thoat for no good reason, depressed, can't sleep, can't seem to do nothing ect.... I just gets wors as I get older.

Why won't you get checked for blood test and see a doc?

You said that you are “apparently depressed,” does that mean you aren’t convinced that you are depressed? Do you think that it is something else, are there certain, specific life stresses that are going on right now for you? Is this something that has been building up, or has it come on suddenly?

The other poster recommended having your thyroid checked because that is quite a common issue with many women. I know for me, I struggled with depression and weight fluctuations, my Dr. did some blood work and I did have an imbalance with my thyroid. Unfortunately is took 6 weeks for the thyroid medication to begin making a difference, but once it did, I felt back to my old self again! I feel lucky that it was something treatable. Depression is also treatable. It is a medical condition. I urge you to see your Dr. about how you are feeling because there are many causes and many solutions. Best of luck!