Growing Self Esteem :)

[Guest Alder]

I used to often wonder if I disliked having a female body due to my self esteem. I'm over weight, I've always been over weight, and I've always watched my thinner friends get boys and such, while I was stuck as the third wheel. So the thought of "do I hate this body because its female, or because it's fat" would often pop into my head, and it's been a constant nagging.

But, within the last year or two I've started getting healthy and I've lost 60 pounds, with about another 100 to go before I'm medically within healthy range. But I'm finding, as the pounds slip off, and my figure slims down I feel even less feminine than before and much more like myself which is wonderful. I'm no longer 'cursed' with a DDD chest, being the first things to go I'm now a C (so much easier to bind!!) and my face has slimmed to a more androgynous appearance than before. So it's all really helped me clear out the doubts about how I felt

ack, I'm starting to feel like I"m bragging about stuff; so I'll pip-down for now. I just wanted to share a bit of happy with everyone, and now I go for my daily walk ^^

[Guest Sandy Fisk]

Hey Alder. Doesn't sound like bragging to me. Maybe just some pride! Keep going for that! I too am very overweight, and now that I am getting support from our medical system for my unhappiness being trapped in a female body, I, too, am beginning to lose weight. I think I've been trying to hide my body behind fat and loose clothing since puberty, but the prospect of looking how I want is very inspiring and I want to shed this shroud of fat so I and others can see the real me. I don't know how the world will respond to a true physycal androgyne, but I know that my personal happiness matters more to me than that. So, yeah. Self-esteem at last!

I am not able to read my PMs yet. I need to make a few more posts first, but I will get back to you, k?

[JJ]

Congratulations! It's amazing what a difference it makes when you accept who you are. And the feeling of being proud of yourself is priceless.

I have lost 95 lbs this year myself and plan on losing another 70 or 80. Realizing I was trans made all the difference.

Keep of the good work!

Johnny

[Guest Alder]

Thank you guys! I think realizing and accepting and wanting to be able to achieve a more gender neutral look is what's really helped me keep up the drive

My walk was pretty nice, though I'm fighting a bit of sickness so that western Washington chill as you put it Kathleen was wonderful to help fight the overheating with a fever.

It's great to hear I'm not the only one making headway on the goal to being happy and healthy! It does seem to make a huge difference when you look in the mirror and go "you know... skinny boy isn't doing to well inside the fat chick... lets fix that!" XD

[Guest Roux]

That is awesome, and totally worth bragging about. Congrats!

[Guest Sandy Fisk]

Alder, I totally get that! Keep it up. Let's all us hidden, lean people come out of hiding and show the world our real, healthy selves. Just the prospect of top surgery has me eating less and wanting to be ready to show off my new bod.

[Guest Alder]

ooooh, I'm looking soooo forward to shrinking enough to run around topless better XD Even if I can never get any surgeries the thought of wearing a waistcoast and trousers and looking sleek is more than enough encouragement!

[Guest Shy]

Hey Alder, I've had similar feelings regarding my height and size. "Do I hate this body because it's male or because it's just so big/cumbersome/ugly?" Thankfully, like you, I have found myself feeling more centered as a result of some changes in my habits (still, bad days will come). I can't shrink my height too much, but being mindful of posture and stuff helps... It's inspiring to hear your progress, and it makes me appreciate the few steps I've taken in building a better self image as well.

This made me wonder something... It's intriguing to question: is it that as we become healthier over all and more focused on positive goals-we naturally align with our inner feelings; or is it that as we gradually accept ourselves- we naturally become more able to have healthy habits and a focused mind?

Probably a little of both, feeding off each other is my guess... but who knows?

[Guest Alder]

I would say it's definitely a mix of both, the body, mind and spirit are one after all! If one starts getting healthier it can start pulling the other from the muck! Just like if one goes.... they all go. I can tell that easily enough when having a bad day in one aspect or another that they all go to poop