*warning may trigger those with eating disorders*

If you need any further convincing as to how obsessed my mom is about weight go ask my mom how many times she weighs herself. “Oh. Well I weigh myself once first thing every morning and then once at night. I’ve been weighing myself this way for over 3 years now and I record all my results and turn them into a chart. It’s simply incredible to see how one’s weight fluctuates not just week by week, but season by season. Do you know I’m within 2 pounds of my weight as I was this time the last 3 years! Isn’t that amazing! I was so concerned when I gained five pounds last month, but I finally got them off. Sinatra’s been snacking all week and he asks me why he’s gaining!-HEY! What are you eating? Did you record that? You need to write it down. Not later, you’ll forget. Now!” And on and on and on.

My mom is borderline anorexically-thin. I don’t even like hugging her because it’s like hugging a pile of bones. She is healthy (eats balanced meals, doesn’t smoke, exercises regularly) and she just likes being really thin; I can’t hate on her for being what makes her happy. What I hate is watching her turn that madness on others. Whenever I see Sinatra I’m torn between wanting to laugh and wanting to cry. ‘You thought I was the problem because she targeted me, but now that I’m gone the crazy is still there and it just found a new punching bag.’

I was starting community college when Sinatra decided he would join Weight Watchers. This surprised me because I didn’t think he had enough weight to lose. I thought about it as I was getting ready for classes. As I was changing I felt something and when I looked I realized it was the fat on my back rolling over on itself- I had back-boobs. I agreed to join WW with Sinatra. I was 218 lbs at 5’ 7”. I listened to the gospel of WW and pledged to do whatever they told me. My first week I lost 4 lbs, I couldn’t believe it. I asked the lady if the scales could be off and she told me they calibrate them for every meeting. Well I was hooked, and since it was just Sinatra and me, without Mom I was able to relax and have fun. Sinatra and I even bonded and became pretty good friends for a while there. I think I was 173 lbs. when I quit the first time and it only took me 5-6 months. Amazing how direction, support, and positive reinforcement can get the job done.

End Part 5