[CookieLover]

I was reading through my journal this morning...and thought I would share part of an entry:

The mirror has not been my friend - and I avoided it at every opportunity. I look at the mirror now and wonder about the person who looks back at me. I say to myself...hey I haven't seen you in a long time...where have you been? Its a stranger who I am so familiar with but I just can't put my finger on who it is because she hasn't been around in a very long time. To me it should be a happy experience...and most of the time it is, but it is sad because I lost someone near and dear to me because I couldn't stand the way she looked because of her weight.

I voice loudly and long about discrimination against those with obesity and the difficulties people face. Yet, I was guilty of joining the crowd of people pleasers and rejected the image of the overweight woman staring back at me from the mirror. How sad to reject the one person you are truly supposed to support - yourself!

I have kidded around with friends who are on the same path that I am...told them how I avoided looking in the mirror...skipping as quickly as I could through the bathroom with the full length mirrors to avoid the possibility of facing an extra roll or two because of my weight. Now daily I stop and say hello to the image looking at me and tell her it is going to be allright and with a little time and patience she will achieve her goal
------

Don't ask me what possed me to post this....

--Cookie

[EBONY POETESS]

COOKIE THAT STORY REMINDED ME OF ME WHEN I USE TO LOOK IN THE MIRROR
NOW I LOOK IN THE MIRROR AND THE ROLLS ARE GONE FROM MY BACK AND MY KNEES DONT TRIPPLE WITH FAT AND I ACTUALLY CAN SEE MY WAISTLINE
IT IS DEFINATELY NICE TO SEE YOUR BODY AGAIN WITHOUT TURNING YOU HEAD THE OTHER WAY TO AVOID THE MIRROR

[Heaven Sent]

That was wonderful. I have been able to look at myself in the mirror and actually see some change.
You are doing sooooo good on your journey..Im proud of ya

[ThinJen]

Cookie- Thanks for sharing that, it is very moving. I am glad you got over last weeks fiasco and are pushing on. I know one day I will be reading your success story, and at this pace it won't be long! But just don't worry about how long it takes, you will get there. And when you do you will remember each day that passed in between, and all that you put into it, and that will be your motivation to maintain. If you lose it easily, it is easily gained back. How you deal with the struggle is what will matter in the long run. Good luck, can't wait to hear your next big 'loss'.