Depression and weight gain

by Tanya du Toit
(South Africa)

Dear Cari,

Thank you thank you thank you - I have received the book and can't
wait to
start! Before I do start reading the book, give you a glimpse of my
(fat)
body over the past few years.

I am a healthy 37 year old mom of 3 boys and a girl who passed away
last
year. So in the past 15 months I gave birth to 3 children and
therefore my
body is now at trash city!

My issue with food started when I was in St 6 and my mom dropped me
off at
high school and hostel with my suitcases and a koekblik full of home
made
cookies and rusks. When my mom came to fetch me for my first
holiday I was
fat. I don't know how fat but when she saw me she just hanged her
head in
shame.

We are 3 daughters and all 3 had (and has) weight problems and
issues. My
middle sister lives in london for the past few years and she is now a
stunning size 6. My mom and dad is very critical and they wanted us
to look
like models. We are good looking girls (if I may say so) but from
the neck
down the issues started.

So throughout my life (since that holiday in st. 6) I battled with my
weight. I never owned a scale, I always measured with my clothes.
I was a
perfect 12 when I got married, and for my 1.72cm in height I thought
that
was pretty good.

I had my first son when I was 32 so for the past 5 years I am up and
down in
weight. My big struggle began after 2006 when I had invitro
fertilization
and I gave birth to twins in May 2007. My daughter passed away the
day
after her birth and my struggle with depression started. Some day's I
didn't touch food and some day's I over indulged. In December 2007 I
finished 2 weeks of hospitalization in Vista Clinic for depression
and found
out I was pregnant (again, and totally naturally). I was still
struggling
to get rid of the extra few (ton ;-)) kilo's after the twins!

My son was born on the 4th of August this year and I started
exercising
during October. I go to gym 4 times a week. I feel much better but
I don't
necessarily eat healthier or less. We drink wine during the week and
weekend's and I am really just trying to fit into my size 14 clothes.

So, I am going to start reading your book, and in my heart I hope (and
believe) that when I am done, a whole new world would open for me.
I will
definitely e-mail you again after I have finished reading it. I
also want
to mention that YES, I DO THINK LIFE WILL BE GREAT IF I AM THINNER!

Love from Fat city!
Tanya