Mitzi Flyte

I weigh more than 200 pounds.

There. I’ve said it.

I’ve been fat most of my life, at least since I was around 8 or 9 years old.

I had a few years when I lost a lot of weight…a lot. And then the man I was going to marry died and I reverted back to comfort food. I regained half of what I’d lost.

I don’t feel unhealthy.

My blood pressure and blood sugar are within normal limits.

I can even run with my dog trotting beside me.

I take the stairs with no problems, although a bit slower at the end of the day.

The major health issue of my life had nothing to do with my weight.

I eat healthy but with a bad back, I just don’t do that much exercising.

So I maintain this weight…this overweight.

I’m just tired of apologizing for my size.

This is who I am.

This is who I’ve been.

Because of my weight I’ve learned how to navigate the rough waters of bullying, even from my father.

I’ve learned to accept others with little or no judgment.

My excess weight through the years has made me the person I am today—for good or for bad.

There are times when I’m down on myself but never as down as other people have been over the years.

So, there you have it.

This is who I am.

This is probably who I will be forever.

And yes, I will continue to have my weekly sundae and maybe even a cookie or two.