Diary of an Overweight MOM: My Storyby Catherine Ipcizade | More from this Blogger 05 Sep 2006 10:05 PM When I considered taking on this challenge, I had to ask myself why anyone would want to read MY story. I'm not famous. I don't have a miracle cure. I'm just an average mom trying to make everything in my life work. And then it hit me: that's exactly why I should write this. If I am having these struggles, perhaps other women are too. And maybe, just maybe, if I can overcome mine, it will inspire you to overcome your own food demons. So here it is, my story. I'm a twin, so I was only 4 pounds 13 ounces at birth. I weighed the "normal" amount for kids my age until I got into fourth grade. My parents divorced that year, and well, let's just say you can guess what happened next. Emotional eating. I was chubby from then on. I weighed 152 pounds at my high school graduation. Did I mention I'm 5ft.1 on a good day? And that the other girls in my graduating class weighed 100 pounds soaking wet? When I went to college, things got worse. I was away from home for the first time, worried about events happening at home, and became a bit reclusive for a while. To comfort myself, I ate...and ate. Finally, after my sophomore year of college, I had a wake-up-call. Trust me, being the only 20 year old who doesn't wear jeans will do that for you. I saw a doctor, took the half of Phen Fen that doesn't cause heart attacks, and lost a lot of weight really quickly. The problem was, I was nearly starving myself. I'd eat eggs for breakfast and dinner (or egg whites) and a piece of chicken with ½ can of green beans for lunch. If I ate more, I gained weight. Eventually I went off the diet. Somehow, with exercise, I managed to keep the weight off for three years...three glorious years, where I wore tank tops (did I mention I had a breast reduction at the age of 20? I went from a 42F to a 38B-imagine the freedom) for the first time in my life. I even wore a bikini. Then I got married and gained 15 pounds. Then I got pregnant and gained 60 more. Needless to say, it didn't all come off. I've tried over the years-I've tried hard. But eventually I've given up, after gaining a few pounds and throwing in the towel, declaring myself a failure again. At this date, after birthing two beautiful children, I'm 48 pounds heavier than I was when I got married. And I want it off...and more. I don't want to be skin and bones. I don't even need to wear a single-digit size. But I do want to be able to walk into a restaurant with my kids and NOT wonder if I'm being judged if I (gasp!) order a milkshake. So there's my story in a nutshell. I'm going to lose the weight this time. I have to. For me. For my kids. For my marriage. I'm happier when I'm at a healthy weight. I'm more self-confident, more likely to take adventures. It's time for me. Is it time for you? Learn more about Catherine Ipcizade  Cathy Ipcizade is 30 years old and currently resides in Southern California. Prior to coming to California she grew up in Arizona. Relevantweight loss tags christmas | Food | holidays | weight loss | pregnancy | Kids | baby | children | Coupons | Scrapbooking User Comments  Tristi Pinkston (10839) 05 Sep 2006 10:26 PMHey there, I'm reading a great book right now called Body Clutter. You can get it at www.flylady.net It really talks about how to get right down to it and start your own weight loss. It's giving me some hope I haven't had before. Sherry Holetzky (11404) 06 Sep 2006 06:59 AMCatherine! {{{{hug!}}}  Myra Turner (1560) 06 Sep 2006 09:39 AMDon't think Diet, think lifestyle change. And if you take the weight off slowly you will more than likely keep it off. Decreasing your caloric intake while increasing your activity level is the best way to get in shape. Good luck!  Catherine Ipcizade (5617) 06 Sep 2006 10:59 AMThanks, Myra--yes, it makes sense and is the best way--too bad it isn't always that easy.  Lisa P (24013) 06 Sep 2006 11:20 AMI hear you! I too feel much better about myself when I'm at a lower weight than I am now. When you feel better about yourself, you always look better. And, I guess somebody should mention it, marital intimacy seems to get a boost when a woman feels good about herself. (You all know what I'm talking about!) I'm still with ya, Catherine. Go, girl!  JenniBean (404) 06 Sep 2006 07:38 PMHello, ladies! Since I am starting a new life for my son & I, I've decided I will not be the "fat" mom that all the kids talk about. Cisco has enough on his plate just dealing with the fact that Mommy & Daddy won't be living together any more. I have to say that I did pretty well today, but I DID have a doughnut (the french cruller kind) from Dunkin Donuts to celebrate a new staff member that started working for me today... Tomorrow I will be walking the neighborhood with Cisco in tow & munching those carrots. I heard about a coffe that supposedly helps you lose weight. Has anyone heard of (or better yet, used) "Lean Bean"? Catherine Ipcizade (5617) 06 Sep 2006 09:35 PMHi Jenni, no I haven't heard from it. You know, talking about having a doughnut made me think of the Weight Watchers plan. I'm seriously considering trying to follow that. You can have a doughnut and not feel like you've committed a dieting "sin." You just have to count it toward your points. I lost 5 pounds the first week I did Weight Watchers. It was great. Yes, it's a bit hard to write down what you eat, but you get used to it. Good luck to you, whatever plan you choose. I've been doing low carb for two days but it seems insane to munch on eggs and meat but to be "afraid" of a banana. I hope you'll keep me updated on your progress. The truth is, who cares if we don't lose 15 pounds in a month. If we eat less, walk more, and try to be HEALTHY then we've succeeded. That's what matters. And your little one loves you--always.  Jody Moreen (3274) 07 Sep 2006 05:48 AMWhat great timing for me to surf onto this blog Catherine! Yesterday I decided to come up with my own plan for healthy eating and exercise! Being a Weight Watchers and Curves "drop out" and spending lots of money, I can discipline myself with the support of other journeymates, setting some goals and prayer. My mom who is 83 years old and a great mom has been a yo-yo dieter all her life. I am sure I observed her eating trends and coping mechanisms and learned some bad habits. But despite my mom's lack of success with diet and exercise she is an absolutely beautiful woman of prayer! She honors God in every other area of her life.( She's always helped oprhans & widows all her life, foster mom to over 18 children and adopting me and my sister) Daily she starts her day spending time with God reading the Bible and praying for others and her day. She helps and encourages many persons and is currently caregiving my 55 year old sister with Lou Gehrig's disease. Overall I desire to honor God like my mom does in serving others with His love. But I know I am a better servant with a healthy body. So today I offer my body up to God and ask that He might allow me to honor Him in my "temple" that He lives in and works through. Focusing on pleasing Him helps me to desire to be less indulgent and seek His best! Praying today for all of us on this journey! P.S. Thanks Mom for loving me, being my godly mentor, and most importantly helping me seek God's best for my life daily! Jody Catherine Ipcizade (5617) 07 Sep 2006 09:07 AMGood luck to you, Jody. A healthy inner spirt makes getting a healthy outer body much, much easier. You've got a solid foundation and you can do this! Good luck! Misty (981) 07 Sep 2006 08:45 PMThis is great, Catherine! Good luck! I, too, would like to lose about 50 pounds. I'll join you. I'm getting in a little late, but better late than never, right? And this is irrelevant, but, extra weight or not, I think you are beautiful! Catherine Ipcizade (5617) 07 Sep 2006 08:52 PMMisty, you made me tear-up. Thank you for your sweet words. I'm so glad you'll join me! I've ditched the low-carb and am trying to be healthy (smaller portions more movement) so we'll see how it goes the next week and then I'll re-evaluate. It's a tough thing to do and not always easy to broadcast, but it helps to hold me accountable and to keep me wanting to move forward rather than give up. I'm so glad friends like you are joining me! And you, my dear, are beautiful as well. (hugs) Discuss this article
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