The Effects of obesity on Mel’s life

I have struggled with my weight since puberty, and it has affected every aspect of my life every single day.

My mental health was suffering

• I suffered with chronic depression for which I was hospitalised for 5 months and continued as an outpatient for many months and have been on medication ever since !
• My self esteem and confidence hit the very bottom of the scale.
• I became a big time people pleaser hoping that ‘someone’ would like me.
• I developed a persona of fun and outgoing and more importantly EASY going so I didn’t upset anyone – ever I lost my own sense of identity.
• I had no idea who I really was, I didn’t even know what kind of music I liked anymore
• I suffered with imposter syndrome and was in constant fear of being revealed as a fraud and failure
• I struggled to socialise, meet new people or realise my full potential

And life can be so cruel

• I was subjected to so much abuse from complete strangers. Laughing, pointing, whispering and calling out awful, insulting and supremely hurtful things as they passed me in their cars
• I faced prejudice in the workplace and at social events
• I was even turned away from a night club for not being the ‘type of clientele’ they wished to attract!