Where I'm at....

Ok, here we go with a few stats to illustrate where I'm at in the health arena....

Weight - 19st 10lb (276lbs or 125kg)

BMI - 40.8

Measurements - Bust 51" Waist 49" Hips 50"

Dress size - 22/24

I'm 5' 9" tall and I have a big frame.

For those of you who are offended by naked flesh or fat or both LOOK AWAY NOW as there's a photo featuring alot of both about to appear!

This photo was taken a wee while ago, before I tore my tendon, and I probably weighed less then but not by much and I wanted a shot that made no bones about what I'm dealing with. Now, wanna hear something interesting? I actually like this pic of me! Shock horror, a fat woman claiming she likes herself, whatever next?? LOL This pic is one from a shoot I did for pics for a self portrait as part of a body image project I'm working on this year. I've struggled with my body image for donkey's years and only began to grasp loving and accepting myself in the last year or so. This photo shoot was the single most empowering thing I have ever done for myself. I firmly believe that the only basis to work from if you want to change things about yourself is to love and accept yourself first, yes first! I've spent years loathing my body, hating myself for what I am, and batting from that position does not work. I know now that I have the power to change, to get healthier, because I love myself enough to finally give myself what I need. So, who's shocked that I can accept myself looking this way??

It's getting late so I'll post about my aims tomorrow.

Welcome!

Another blog about another soul on the road to health! ;o)

So, a little bit of background info to start with, enough to whet your appetite (ha ha!) not so much as to bore you to tears! I'm in my early 40s, married with a daughter, living in East Anglia, working as an artist. My "battle" with food, body image and my weight began in the dim and distant past when, as a teenager, I was terribly bullied at school. Unable to confide in anyone food became my refuge. Fairly swiftly food then became the enemy as I rapidly starting to gain weight. I embarked on my first diet when I was 14 or 15, looking back I really didn't need to, yes, I was a little plump but that innocent first diet sent me spiralling into years of self destructive behaviour. I've tried them all over the years, grapefruit, fruit only, liquid, WW, Slimming World, counting calories, fat units, points or whatever, milk & banana, Rosemary Conley, cabbage soup, three on two off, food combining, high fibre.....the list is endless and booooooooring! I've never been anorexic or bulimic but compulsive eating? Oh yes yes yes! It's really only been in the last five years that I have finally started to get to grips with it all.

So, why this blog? I recently tore my Achiles's tendon and my subsequent immobility whilst in plaster induced an undetected deep vein thrombosis leading to a pulmonary embolism. I'm on the road to recovery now but I know this is my time to improve my health.

More tomorrow, ahem, do I mean later today?! Stay tuned for stats and nekkid pics! ;oD