Oh, to be a loser...

[e.e.cummings]

Featuretile, where I come from there is a saying 'you have been up and down the road' meaning that you have experienced a lot - this definitely applies, with all puns intended for cycling. Your story is very interesting. And Tibet - wow!

[tulip]

Hi. This is really interesting. Until I was 39, I was around 145lbs. I'm 5'6". I was never happy with the way I looked. Belly fat--I had it. But, like GLC said, all I got was, "You look fine, love yourself, yadda yadda."

Then, for a variety of reasons, I lost 20lbs in a couple of months a few years ago. Wow, I can tell you, it's great. I have stabilized at 127 and I actually AM delighted with my body--for the first time in my life, at age 42. I'm stronger and faster. But for me, the most important result is that I am more confident in myself in all sorts of ways--not just athletic.

So for some people, it does matter. It would have been nice, really nice, if I could have allowed myself that confidence and freedom back when I was heavier--all of my adult life til then. But now I have it, well most of the time anyways.

If you love yourself whatever your weight, then that is fantastic and so much more than I could accomplish. You should be commended, because what you do is not easy at all.