A Timeline of Struggle and Hope
I’m 5 years old.
Mom says I can’t have dessert because I don’t “need” it. At my ballet recital, my dress is a size bigger than everyone else’s, and they place me in the back row. On the playground, I’m picked last because everyone knows I’m slower. If only I could lose weight, maybe I’d be in the front row, and I wouldn’t be picked last.
I’m 10 years old.
I got my period before the other girls. I love soccer, but they teased me so much last year that I didn’t join the team this time. The doctor tells me I need to lose weight every time I visit, and I can see the judgment in their eyes when I step on the scale. My parents say they’re just worried about my “health,” but they never make the foods I actually enjoy. If I could lose weight, maybe they wouldn’t be so worried, and I could eat what I like without feeling guilty.
I’m 15 years old.
No one asked me to the school dance. I wish I could go, but I don’t feel pretty in a dress. I’m terrified that if I show up, people will take pictures and post them online to make fun of me. I tell myself, "If I could just lose weight, I’d fit in. I’d finally be enough."
I’m 20 years old.
I’m an adult now, but I still feel like I don’t belong. I’ve posted positive things on social media, but it backfires when people mock my appearance. I tried going to the gym, but I feel everyone’s eyes on me, so I stay home. If I could lose some weight, maybe I’d feel better about myself. Maybe I’d have the confidence to go out.
I’m 25 years old.
Finding a job has been tough, and I had to move away from my family to make ends meet. Every time I go to the doctor, no matter the reason, they tell me to lose weight. I scroll through social media and see my friends getting married, looking beautiful in their dresses, and I wonder if that will ever be me. If only I could lose weight, I think, then I’d be happy. Then someone would love me.
I’m 30 years old.
Looking back at old pictures of myself, I wonder why I was so hard on the person I used to be. I wish I had appreciated my body more back then. I’ve tried dieting, but nothing sticks. I still tell myself, “If only I could lose weight, then I’d be happy.”
Does this timeline sound familiar?
If you find yourself relating to this journey, you are not alone. So many of us carry the burden of weight stigma. From an early age, society tells us that we need to fit into an impossible mold, a body type that less than 3% of the population ever achieves. And for those who don’t meet that standard, the message is clear: “You are not enough.”
But what if that’s a lie?
What if the issue isn’t your body, but the messages you’ve been fed your entire life? What if you could find peace and happiness without changing a single thing about your size? The truth is, you can.
I take a Health at Every Size (HAES) approach in my practice. This means that health, well-being, and happiness are not tied to the size of your body. Instead, we focus on healing your relationship with food, movement, and, most importantly, yourself. Imagine living free from the constant mental battle, free from shame, and learning to show compassion to the little girl who just wanted to fit in.
If you’re ready to take the first step toward repairing your relationship with your body, reach out today. You don’t have to navigate this journey alone, and you deserve to live a life filled with joy, no matter your size.
Schedule a consult and see if we’re a good fit for your recovery journey. Let’s work together to help you find peace within your own skin.
