By any standards, I am a "big girl". I used to weigh 423lbs in 2003. Back then it was very difficult to exercise. Some limitations were physical others we psychological. I couldn't get past the idea that I would be the biggest person at the gym or might not fit on equipment.

Once I got down to 390lbs, I decided I just had to exercise to get the results I wanted to achieve. After much study and watching folks who were successful at weight loss, I got my walkman and went out. I tried walking in my neighborhood and actually had a car full of teenage boys drive by and yell "look at the fatty waddle". It was extremely embarassing and discouraging.

For the past year, I have worn a pedometer from the time I wake up to the time I go to sleep. Of course the recommendation is to get in 10,000 steps every day. I am still working at making that goal. When I first started walking, I was doing about 730 steps every day. After increasing my steps, walking, and looking for opportunities for more steps (like parking further away from a store's front door) I never go below 3500 steps any more and have celebrated those days I have hit above 7000 steps. My weight is down to 320lbs so I still have a long way to go. I keep a daily log of what I eat but more important to my success is keeping the log of how many steps I take every day.

It isn't easy but it does feel great!

Hi~ I totally understand where you are coming from. My size also kept me from doing things I would love to do. I am 47 years old and a mother of two. Both of my children are grown, married and have one child each. Both living in opposite directions (both far away). I feared traveling by plane. Not the flying part but whether or not I would fit in the seats. It was always stressful. I would try to get a ticket that would enable me to board in the "A" group so that I could choose my seat, get a belt extender, and then pray that a small person would sit beside me or that the plane would not be full.
As far as those nasty remarks those boys made, I have one thing to say. I will give you the same advice my mother-in-law gave to me. "Don't make their problem, yours."

Congratulations on your weight loss (103 pounds). I know by experience, it is not easy. I have lost 50 pounds to date and I too, have a ways to go. Logging your daily steps is a great technique. Something that I do is, I log what I eat and drink daily and it helps me stay focused.

I wish you the best of luck.