I've been thinking!

I have been coming to the Ok forum for about a month.  Since then I've been welcomed with open arms and have gotten more support then I would have ever imagined.  I hope what I am going to say comes out right!  I mean it in the best way!  I have always thought bad of myself because I am heavy.  Like I'm not good enough for normal people.  Not my husband, not my best friend, who happens to be a size (really really small and has an awesome body)  not anyone!  But after coming here and getting to know all of you...I feel like I'm ok.  What I mean is that I know all of you are now, or have been heavy.  I sure don't think you aren't worthy of love, affection or anything else you want in this life.  I think you are all wonderful great people with hearts of gold.  I guess I need to ease up on myself because I'm one of you!
I hope that makes sense.  I know some people have the same issues I do.  I've read them.  Just know that when you think bad of yourself because you are overweight...I usually think, wow, what do they think of me because I'm not so different!! 
I have learned a lesson and I wanted to share!
I hope it made sense!

Hi, Kim.
We've all been in the same place, heavier than what is healthy for each of us. The number on the scale may be different, the surgery type may be, also, but there are some things in common. The struggle is, well, the same struggle. I would hope we all feel safe and loved and accepted here. That seems to be the case to me, anyway.
Sometimes I see, on the other boards, where people tend to take immediate offense to something posted. It's like they read between the lines, assume the worst, and respond in such a mean way. I hope we never get like that, here. We all need each other.
Thanks for your post. None of us here is more abnormal than normal ;)
Blessings,
Mary

You made perfect sense!  We have all suffered from discrimination because we were /are fat.  We have all been harsh critics of ourselves.  I am so happy we can help you feel better about yourself.  You are and have always been a worthwhile person deserving of the good things in life.  Hang around here- we are a pretty happy group around here.

Aw Kim, you are certainly not alone.  I would imagine that a huge percentage, if not all of us, feel that we were not good enough.  God knows I have and basically still do.  I can feel alone in a room full of people.  At one point in my life, I was ashamed to go out in public.  Isn't it weird though, that instead of this making us stand up and do something about it, it makes us eat all the more.  I feel like an embarrasment to my family, and other people that know me.  I know my family loves me, but that is just my feelings.  It makes me wonder though, if just losing the weight is going to change those feelings?  So, even though I have never met you, you ARE a deserving person, with so much to offer -- we all are.  We love ya just like you are.  That is what is so exciting about all this -- we are finally doing something to help ourselves!  What a huge step in the right direction.   Michael.

Of course you are a worthwhile person and friend!  We are all fabulous and unique and make this old world a better place!  Never, never forget that!

It certainly makes sense to me. I am there myself. I often feel like I am an embarrassment to my husband and children. They have told me I am not, but I still feel that way. We have all been looked at, and talked about and made to feel low. It does effect your self esteem. I hope that comes back as the weight goes off. You are an awesome person. don't forget it.
Emily

I put that post out there to make other people feel good!  To try to show other people that someone else out there might feel the same way!  But you all totally made me feel like a princess!  LOL!
Thank you for your kind words, all of you! 
Kim

Honey, I could have written what you posted WORD FOR WORD!!!!  That is what is so special about this forum.  We get it....we understand one another...we have all been there and done that and we are all working on us from the inside out!  HAPPY JOURNEY!

I know exactly where you're coming from.  Been there...done that and am still doing that!!!  I have begged off so many events with my husband I can't even count them.  I wouldn't go to ballgames...the stadium was too hard to climb, didn't want to go to his events at school...all the other employees and spouses were smaller than me.  I got so tired of looking around the room and know that I was the biggest one in the entire group.  I've been that way at my job too....  I love this group.  Some of you guys have become my closest friends.  We have a common bond and understand things about each other that NO ONE ELSE can understand.  Unless you have been in this disease of "obesity" you can't understand.  I have an awesome husband and very successful children and have felt like I was an embarassment to them.  I'm beginning to feel better about myself.  I stll don't see anyone different in the mirror, my heart is still the same, my brain is the same (small-ha), and I don't think my personallity will change...I love people and especially you guys!!  You're awesome!  We are all WORTHY and you make perfect sense.  You're talking to the choir here!!!  I can't wait for you to join us in your spot on the "looser's bench"!!!  

 Makes sense to me!  Nice to be around people to "get it".  I mean REALLY get it.  You said what so many of us think about this place.  Thanks for doing it.  
C~