Messages By: oliveyou

I'm a 42 year old divorced woman who has one adult son.  I began my journey in losing over 170 pounds in the past 16 months.  I've gone from a woman who had to buy all my clothes from the internet and online clothing stores because even Lane Bryant's sizes were much too small for me, to a woman who is now buying clothes in the Misses department at Kohl's, Belk's and "normal" department stores.  It's been an amazing transformation. 

I've gone from being a morbidly obese woman who has heard all my life "what a pretty face I have", to being a woman who actually manages to turn a few heads.  I've lost weight by sheer will, changing my life-style when it comes to food and how I view it, and exercising.  I now view food as a source of fuel to survive, as opposed to a source of comfort or the center of entertainment.  Exercising is not my  favorite thing, but once I put my little Reeboks on, my workout clothes, and hit the ground doing nothing less than 2 miles a day it's a GREAT feeling.  Less than two years ago I had to ask a stranger to go get my car in a hospital parking lot because I was unable to walk that far.  My back was so bad from carrying around all that weight.  Now I'm actually jogging and no more back problems. 

Are there issues with hanging skin?  Absolutely!!!!! I had beautiful "basketball legs" when I was younger.  Now the shape is back, but the skin on my upper inner thighs resembles that of an elephant.  My tummy is the same way.  I look in the mirror and am realistic about my progress.  But I'm scared and saddened by the hanging skin.  If I ever get serious with a man again will I be able to let him see me with no clothes on?  I don't know.  The thought is more than horrifying. 

I'm 5'9" and because I am reasonably attractive I do draw a little attention from time to time.  But I can't let anyone get close enough because of my skin.  But there is more to it than that.  There is a huge psychological change that comes with this big change.  I was used to being the wall flower socially when I was heavier.  Now, at 42, I don't know how to handle social settings as well as most people.  I'm certainly not at ease with ever being the center of attention. 

I don't have any answers.  But perhaps someday I'll be able to afford to have the outside fixed, while I continue working on the real part of me that matters, that's on the inside. 

Carla

Little Rock, AR

im 16 now.... and  i had a baby when i was only 13... and another baby when i was 14... they were both boys... and they are my life... yea its hard tryin to go to school and raise 2 kids...but i do it... im not asamed  i have to kids.. they are my world and i wouldnt change it for the anything...they both have the same dad......  we have been off and on for the past 4 years.... .. there is nothin wrong wit haveing kids early... it is the same as havein tem when ur 14 or 50... u have the same reactions.... yea i lost alot of friends and missed out on alot.. but i know if i could go back.. nothin would change my oldest son is 2 and my youngest is 1.. they are my pride and joy.. and anyone u talk to that knows me will tell u im a great mom to my kids.. and u pretty much never see my out witout them........ they are my world.. yea they might not have been planned.. but im glad it happened.. someday i have my moments.. but i think bout how much joy they have brought to my life.... my mom and dad didnt like it to much .. but now u can ask them and they love their grandchildren wit everything they got..:) i just wanted to say to all u other teen moms. do the best u can.. and show ur babies that u can be a good mom to them... not everyone is perfect but givein it the best u can...... u know kids are alot of money these days but think about all the rewards u get u get to see their first steps.... words..... Ects.... everything... nothing in life is better than wakein up everymornin and knowin there is someone lookin up to u and seein their smile everyday.:) i love being a young mom...:)

<3 youngmommy

Not impossible.  What Karen needs is a husband who loves her no matter what.  I know Karen personally and I won't reveal too much, but she is a wonderful wife to this IDIOT!  She does not deserve his treatment.  She's putting up with it just for the kid's sake, which I feel to be for the wrong reason.  If they grow up to witness this treatment throughout their lives, they too will inherit the disease, which is not fair to them.

 If there are any single, decent, honest, not necessarilty good looking men out there who needs a nurturing wife, she is the one!  Her kids are so well mannered and adorable, it would be hard not to love them.  Even if not your own.  Believe me, there is some lonely man out there that would appreciate the kind of life that she can give.  She needs a rescue!

Hi There! I am the blonde, overbearing mother on this show.

Just wanted to respond by saying I agree with almost all of these posts. I mean, honestly, I wasn't on Dr. Phil because I was completely normal, right?! But I want to assure all the posters who question what I do all day that I do indeed work. I am a freelance copywriter as well as penning a weekly newspaper column, entitled, ironcally, Mother's Daze. In additon, I teach Journalism to elementary school childrem. So, sadly, I truly can't blame hovering on idle hands. And, since the show was taped, I really am making changes!

Thanks for everyone's thoughts!

Peace out.