Hello All!!
I am so glad I saw this from Bruce, (who I secretly have a serious crush on shhhh) ;-) –
First, my name is Kym Duarte and I am an overeater. My story is not like you see on the weight loss shows. I do not have to overcome some past obstacle, forgive anyone, or forgive myself. I love hearing these stories of hope and success, I, however, do have a story and it's one with a love of food.
When I was a little child, my nickname that everyone called me was bones. Bones was the name given because I was so skinny. It is funny how I hated that name as a kid and yet crave to be called that as an adult. I come from a family of Italians and Mexicans so needless to say food was at the CENTER of everything. It was the center of general family time, gathering at my grandma's after church, birthday parties, EVERYTHING we did included food. I was such an active kid that it made no difference what or how much I hate because it would fall off. Oh to have that metabolism again.
As I got older I began to gain weight. I remember in the 4th grade I was taller and had developed more so then other girls. I was embarrassed and so desperately wanted to be bones again. I was not fat by any means but I was growing in areas that other kids were not and for that I got made fun of. I do not recall much of my elementary years but do recall a lot of my middle school and junior high years and it was a constant pick on Kym session. I got picked on for not being as skinny as the other girls.
It was at this time food became my comforter. I played a lot of sports in school so always had an appetite. During my adolescent years I would always look at the other girls and see how skinny they were or how the boys looked at them and not me. I can go over story by story of rejection but it would take the whole blog. This rejection worsened when my dad was killed when I was 14. The only man who truly loved me for me was gone. He is still the GREATEST man I have ever known and I miss him terribly every single day. In this rejection of people, I turned to food and made it my boyfriend, lover and best friend. Kids could be so cruel so I in turn became cruel.
I have been a yo-yo with my weight my whole adult life. I did it the quick and easy way most of the time and just popped pills or lived on slim fast. All my drinking, smoking and partying helped with me not eating. The weight would be gone but the craving for food was always there. I was never an obese girl - not by any means - but always carried at least 20-25 more than the average girl. I would always look and admire others and want to be just like them.
Moving on to my 30's, I truly began to put on weight, again not hundreds of pounds overweight but more than 30. The cycle of losing/gaining was my pattern. I worked hard, worked out, ate right then put it all back on again. This cycle has been my life for the past 15 or years or so.
When I quit smoking four years ago the weight packed on even more. I was a comfortable 170-185 now I was at 240-250. I finally did something about my weight a little over a year ago and lost over 50 lbs. My inspiration to do so, the money my mom paid me for every pound I lost. I lost a lot and got paid while doing it but all the while I never really made changes to me inside.
I yearn for someone to be in my life. Loneliness is a killer, not only to your self-esteem but your life in general. I began to seek food and food has never let me down. This love affair has helped me lose weight but also robbed me of feeling 100% comfortable in my skin. Food has never left me and it is always around lurking on every corner. It smiles at me and makes me feel loved so I always give in.
This challenge could not come at a more opportune time. I just started back on my routine, this time with a very good friend and it dawned on me that I have to be honest and real not only about what draws me to food but about my addiction to food. We all want to fill a void in our lives because of something we are missing- some choose drugs, sex, or people, I choose food.
This journey is going to be a life change and I have to realize that God is the only one I need and one day He will send the PERFECT mate into my life but I have to be healthy and ready to give him my best. Food is GREAT but as with everything in life we must have moderation and understand the pros and cons of this magnificent beast.
I just purchased Rocco Dispirito's book and am ready for some good meals – my last cookbook got old and I just wanted new foodJ. I already have my workout program and you will see a different person in just 28 days. My next goal will be to lose more in 28 days and 28 after that and so on. My personal goal is to bike the Atlanta beltline from my area to Stone Mountain. I would love to do this at my mile stone (6 month) mark.
Thank you for listening and I hope, even if it is just one, that I helped someone else on this journey. Food is good but food isn't my lover anymore!!