Reasons to Lose Weight

Question 0

To feel better

Answer 0

At 270 lbs, I ache constantly. My back aches, my knees ache. The littlest of exertion makes me burst out in sweat, and huff and puff.

Question 1

A good first impression

Answer 1

Whether or not I like it, people judge. And what they take away from looking at me is someone who doesn’t make herself a priority. If I don’t take myself seriously, who else will?

Question 2

To move better

Answer 2

My body limits my ability to move. The strength of my muscles doesn’t go into creating power, it must first contend with moving my bulk. Any spaces I try to create are filled with fat.

Question 3

To be more graceful

Answer 3

I want to be able to extend my arms easily, to touch my toes without having to contend with my stomach. To reduce the compression on my spine.

Question 4

To wear clothes I like

Answer 4

I now wear what will fit, not what I like. I want to wear more dresses, to not worry about how big my arms are, or how big my gut is. To not worry about having something, anything to wear. I want to not have to wear a buba and Iro. I want to wear the traditional trumpet skirt.

Question 5

To never feel the need to hide away from the world

Answer 5

My weight embarrasses me. I feel scared to open myself up to the views of the world, spoken or unspoken. The result is I stay hidden at home, trapped by my weight.

Question 6

To not be the fat sister

Answer 6

I have always been the heaviest person in the family. I don’t want to be that person anymore.

Question 7

To not be Wale’s fat wife

Answer 7

I hate that people judge him to be a gold digger because I am fat.

Question 8

To feel more confident

Answer 8

I want to be more comfortable in my skin, and more confident in my skin. To be able to use my outward appearance to project competence, or power, professionalism.

Question 9

To know that I can do big things

Answer 9

My weight has been a struggle all my life. I want to overcome it. To be the master of my body, not slave to my desires.