Beth Donovan (~INDYGIRL) wrote a letter to her younger self...

Dear young Beth,

I know you think you are ugly and a monster rather than a girl. Well, you aren’t. Dear girl, you have listened to others far too long. From the babysitter who calls you “Monster child,” to the kids at school, and even your own family, everyone else tells you who you are. Do they ever ask you who you are? They should observe rather than label based on your weight. They would see a girl that takes all of that and then some and is still standing.

You’ll come to realize someday that you aren’t ugly just because you are overweight. Weight and beauty have very little to do with each other. You’ll learn to appreciate the beauty you do possess when you stop listening to the negative messages of the thin obsessed world around you. So, young Beth, if you can get a handle on ignoring these messages and appreciating your body right now, you will feel amazingly beautiful.

You were never without will power. Do you realize how much will power it took you to get up and go to school every day knowing you were going to be teased into tears, come home from school and hear about your weight from your mother and then listen to your boyfriend make comments about your weight? Yet, the next day came and you did it all over again. You’re strong, use that strength to overcome.

Yes, I suppose you were a “Weirdo” to some, but I prefer calling you creative. You write poetry, parodies, blogs, paint, make people laugh, find easy ways around impossible situations, and do it very naturally. That’s nothing to be ashamed of, even if it does come with a bit of Dungeons and Dragons and Doctor Who thrown into the mix. Appreciate your ability to think out of the box, because someday it gets you out of some very bad situations.

Now with these tools, self esteem, strength, and creativity, you can make it through your fitness issues. Despite the fact that your mother stands in your way for joining any gym or fitness group, your creativity can lend to creating your own workouts at home. Work out when she isn’t home. Try wearing new clothes and even try some workout clothes, they will raise your self esteem. Your strength will carry you while you make changes. You’re a very intelligent straight A student. Take some nutrition classes at school or get some books at the library. Work at small changes in eating and exercise and build from there. Count on your Aunt Jo for support. She is a gym teacher who can teach you much about physical education and eating in a non threatening environment.

We've lost 145 pounds, you and I. Here's how. Start now!

• Eat at least 5 fruits and vegetables.
  
• Drink at least 8 glasses of water.
  
• Eat moderate amounts of lean protein with each meal.
  
• Eat high fiber and whole grain foods.
  
• Eat close to nature. Processed food is full of junk and won’t fill you up the same way real food does.
  
• Take baby steps, getting one change down at a time. Go for progress not perfection.
  
• Tune out the haters.
  
• Something is always better than nothing, so always do some exercise.
  
• Always order small.
  
• Eat from small plates.

I hope this helps you keep from getting where we got, 460 pounds. We made it down to 315 now, but it’s harder not being young and skin isn’t so elastic. Lose now and you will have less to lose and less sagging skin. You can do it! I believe in you!

Love,
The older but wiser Beth from 2011

What would you say to your younger self?