Unhappy

[hp-13]

I’m super unhappy with the way my body looks and how I feel. I’m only 18 but that doesn’t mean that I’m happy with the way I look. I wish people would understand that I don’t feel healthy and it’s taking a toll on me

[metalminded]

What bothers you about your body? I suffer from BDD as well.

[Hidden in reply to metalminded]

What’s BDD?

[metalminded in reply to Hidden]

Body dysmorpic disorder

[bob1616]

Dear HP-13,

It saddens me to hear of someone as young as you are to be so unhappy with your body and that it makes you feel unhealthy. I don't know what you've tried in the way of losing weight and or improving your health. While I'm responding to your post in the way of both offering support but maybe ideas that might be of help to you.

For me, while I'm 61, I too battle my weight and my self esteem over it. But in my case, one of the biggest reasons for my weight gain and reason for difficulty in losing it is both medical and the medicines needed to combat those illnesses. I am limited in what type of exercises and amount of them that I can do because of neuropathy, 6 deteriorating discs in the lower back, 1 cervical as well as having had 2 removed. Along with this is nerve damage affecting my legs and arms/hands as well as chronic headaches/migraines/cluster headaches. I'm on lyrica along with anti depression meds both of which weight gain is a common side effect and for me that held true. The Lyrica caused a 45 lb. gain and I've been fighting for several years now to lose the weight gain to little success. My doctor regularly tells me I'm obese because of my weight but also that I need to lose 40-50 lbs. The most exercise I can do is walking but that's not at the sustained level to lose the weight. Like you, I'm not happy at all with the way I look and I'm trying to lose the pounds but it's difficult with the meds and medical causes and I also have to admit to over eating or not eating the healthiest.

So I think I can understand some of what you're feeling, but I think stress may also be a factor you're battling over how you look and feel. Stress as I've been told a number of times can help keep you from losing weight, remember it's only one of many causes and again I don't know what all you've tried, are doing, and what medical conditions you may have. Something (and I need to do this as well) I might suggest is talking with your doctor and see what assistance or program they can recommend to you to help you lose weight so you can both feel good about the way you look and how you feel. Another would be is there any support groups near you that you can attend so that you can freely discuss what you're feeling, what you're doing etc. in an effort to give you some emotional support? Another would be getting support from family and friends to help you lose weight or help you to feel better about yourself if there is a medical reason for the weight and it being something you may not any control or little control over. Something else that's come to mind is whether or not you can see a nutritionist to show you what would be healthier food options for you and again, a doctor who may be able to provide a physical plan for you to help with both you losing weight and feeling healthier.

Again, I'm only offering some ideas and I'm not sure to what you've tried or not but know, you're not alone in battling weight and health issues. Try not to beat yourself up over your situation of how you look and feel, but seek help to come up with a game plan to put you on the track you wish to be. I won't lie and say there's a magic pill or easy to do but with the proper program for you and the support of family and friends, you can do it.

Good luck and let us know how you're doing with whatever you decide to do.