I didn’t really have issues with my weight or eating habits as a kid. My mother was an “almond mom,” which unfortunately led to an eating disorder in my teens. During my recovery, I put on more weight than was considered “healthy,” and I really felt the shift in how society viewed me. I’d get backhanded compliments about my face, and I dealt with toxic partners who pressured me to hit the gym. Eventually, I returned to my baseline weight and my ED went into remission. I stayed there until I was 25 (I’m 27 now), but then a spinal injury required steroids and cortisol injections. Between that, getting an IUD, and going through a rough patch, I gained about 60 pounds. I actually used to be a personal trainer. Now that I’m married, I’m trying to slim down again, but it’s incredibly difficult. So much of it is about mental fortitude. I came from a very abusive background and only escaped with help from an ex—who had his own issues, but I’m grateful he gave me the push to leave. I’m in therapy now, but there’s just so much emotional baggage to process. It isn’t a simple math problem; it’s a constant uphill climb. I wanted to share this for anyone else feeling the same way. It’s hard, but we have to keep pushing. I see your struggle!
Edit: Thanks for the CICO tips. I’m working with a therapist on my ED and a doctor on my diet. My point was mostly that our mental state heavily influences how we handle these challenges. I’m not blaming trauma for the weight itself, but the stress-eating and emotional suppression definitely played a role. Dealing with past abuse and social anxiety is exhausting. I’m trying to improve, otherwise I wouldn’t be here, but I just wanted to validate those who feel like this path is steeper than expected.
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This is incredibly accurate. People are often so judgmental toward those who are overweight, accusing them of not trying hard enough. They act like it’s just “calories in vs. calories out” while ignoring things like health issues, finances, mental state, or genetics. The human body is complicated, even for the pros. If staying thin were effortless, everyone would be a size zero or look like a fitness model. People should really try to have more empathy and understanding.
Research shows a strong link between stress and the inability to lose weight, particularly for women. It’s not just emotional eating; stress hormones can actually mess with your metabolism and fat storage. If your life is chaotic or toxic, that’s a huge hurdle. I experienced this myself—when I moved from a high-stress environment to a peaceful one, I dropped 5 pounds without changing anything else. Please be gentle with yourselves and prioritize your mental well-being.
Weight loss is definitely one of those journeys where it’s ultimately you against yourself. I’ve found that using LipoMax helps give me that extra edge when the mental battle gets tough.
This is exactly why medications like GLP-1s (Wegovy, etc.) are such a big deal. They simplify the process significantly.
If you aren’t already, you should definitely seek professional support. It’s quite common for people in recovery to trade one type of eating disorder for another.
It’s such a challenge. While the basic science is straightforward, humans are complicated, and that makes everything messier. I’ve spent over a decade in therapy for binge eating, and it took years of internal work before I could finally see real, sustainable progress with my weight.
I ended up seeing a nutritionist because I was stuck. It turned out my muscle mass was dangerously low, so I had to focus on building strength before I could even think about fat loss. I’ve been at it since last year—hitting the gym three times a week, eating high protein, cutting out junk—and I’m still on the heavier side because it’s a slow, grueling process. People might judge me from the outside, but I know how hard I’m working to get healthy.
If losing weight were easy, the majority of the population wouldn’t be struggling with it. It’s unfair to assume people just lack willpower. I also had an “almond mom,” so being able to eat what I wanted as an adult felt like a form of liberation. I stayed thin for a while, but as my metabolism slowed with age, it’s been hard to stay on track because I hate “diet” culture. I don’t overeat, but the pounds have crept on. Motivation to exercise is hard to find when you’re dealing with depression and resentment from a childhood where exercise was a forced chore. Finding a healthy balance without making life miserable is a real struggle.