From Jenna, Age 16 - 12/25/00 - IP#: 207.65.74.xxx  Click here to reply  
Hey! I've been reading most of your messages and the repies. For the most part they are good. I remember at the end of my 8th grade year I was 5'1" and I weighed 180 lbs. And I wondered why I had never had a boyfriend. I was tired of being worn out after doing simple exercises. And I was so embarrassed of myself I would purposefully avoid swimming pools or anything that had to do with a swim suit. We went to see a doctor about my weight cause we thought maybe I had a thyroid problem. But I didn't. I was just plain and simple FAT. It wasn't that I ate too much it was just I was so inactive. My friends would "tease" me, my grandma was always making comments about my weight in public and to her friends. It really hurt. I finally decided I had to do something. See I have a REAL problem with waiting for things. I want things to be immediate. But I had to learn that weight loss is a gradual thing. So I just quit eating as much. I only ate one helping of food at meals even if I didn't feel full. I started snacking on healthy foods between meals so I wouldn't be as hungry at meals. By the end of my 9th grade year I was 5'2" and I weighed 150 lbs. I was on my way! I pretty much kept up the same routine through my 10th grade year and by the end of the year I was 5'2" and I weighed 140 lbs. And I had my first boyfriend Daniel! I felt like I was on top of the world! Like nothing could be better. But then me and Daniel broke up and started the weight gain again. I finally said NO! I'm not going back. That June a friend of mine introduced me to yoga. I thought yeah right. This is so corny. How is this ever going to help me. But I was so surprised. When I started school that August I was 5'3" and I weighed 130 lbs. I felt great and on the first day of school I got a new boyfriend Nick! And yes me and Nick broke up and I went through a tough relationship with another guy after him I have started the weight gain back. But me and Daniel worked through our problems and we're back in a very healthy relationship. But back to yoga. It's very quick and healthy. You'll see results within the first week u do it. Doctor's even perscribe it to their patients. The most commonly practiced is Hatha yoga. It's primary goal is to cleanse the mind, body, and spirit. By doing this u increase flexibility, muscle tone, and shed some unwanted pounds. To do this u first begin by doing breathing exercises. By sitting on the floor in Indian style and breathing in through your nose for 3 seconds and out through your nose 3 seconds. You can do this for however long u want to. Next you begin exercises. These are just a series of stretches. By doing these u are increasing your flexibility and muscle tone. Then u move into meditation by laying down somewhere quiet and completely relaxing your body and clearing your mind. You will feel much better after you have done this. I am now half way through my 11th grade year and I am 5'3" and weigh 123lbs. I am at my all time goal. I wear a size 9 and I receive so many compliments from my family and friends. I'm actually skinnier than most of the friends that used to "tease" me. But I refuse to make fun of them cause I know what it feels like to be put in that position and how depressing it is. Now all my grandma talks about is how proud she is of me and how beautiful I look. And I feel so good about myself now! I feel like a completely different person. Anyone can do it. I'm just offering a quick and VERY healthy lifelong way to lose the weight and keep it off. If you have ANY questions or comments I would LOVE to hear from u. U can e-mail me at jenn_084@hotmail.com or Friscos4@compu.net and just type Jenna in the subject line. Love always and good luck! And always remember these quotes:"If you judge someone you have no time to love them" -Mother Teresa"Be kind for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle." -Plato:-)