Every day we are bombarded by countless ads guaranteeing ways to lose fat quickly.
There are diet tips for losing belly fat, and a large variety of fat burning exercise videos and DVDs.
The message that you have to be slim to be attractive is everywhere.
There is no shortage of advice on ways to lose extra fat.
For many this is a lifelong struggle.
Are you one of those who suffer daily from the social stigma of being overweight? Would you like to live a so called "normal" life, like people half your size? How do you cope with the subtle and not so subtle comments by family and friends about your weight gain? Can you tell when what they are saying is coming from a good place? That they are genuinely concerned about your health and chances for long term life? Do people stare at you when you are eating? Do you sometimes think that they want you to stop eating until you lose weight? It is almost impossible to avoid being self-conscious when you are overweight.
When you walk down the street you feel all eyes on you.
You wonder what negative things they are thinking and/or saying about you.
You wish you could shout out to everyone and tell them your story.
You want to tell them about your thyroid problem.
About your DNA code that predisposes you to be overweight.
About your struggles with abdominal fat since childhood.
You want to show them before and after pictures.
Before you became this fat.
They may be surprised to know that you were once a very good soccer player.
That you were as fit as a track star, and as agile as a cat.
Still it is not all negative and depressing.
You love how a TV show has re-framed the phase "biggest loser" to mean something very positive for people like you.
You take small comfort in changes in fast food menus that now offer some healthy choices at prices you can afford.
Every day you actively seek healthy ways to lose weight.
You have a loving and supportive partner who applaud your efforts.
This is a source of great motivation for you.
You lost 5 pounds last week and it was not as difficult as you thought it would have been.
There is a perceptible lightness in your step.
You catch yourself looking in the mirror rather than recoiling from it.
You got "two thumbs up" from your doctor.
She expressed great confidence in your ability to reach your goal of losing 50 pounds in 6 months.
Yes, throughout the upcoming dull, dreary winter you'll be constantly looking on the bright side as you visualize the new sexy clothes you will be wearing by next spring.