Weight's Correlation with Abuse

As I was looking through some photos of myself over the last few years, what I already knew struck me with further intensity than before - The longer I was with my ex and the more emotional abuse I endured... the more weight I gained. Interesting since through that time he also gained weight, and actually encouraged me to binge.

The Day I graduated from Hampshire College

A couple months after graduating, I worked at Action Care Ambulance, I was working a regular schedule in which I slept in my bed every night, I was making new friends, and I didn't really know my ex existed.

New Years Eve, 2006... Two days before I really met my ex, and also 2 days before I started working the 24 hour schedule full time. This is when I was at my thinnest, and was incidently playing a pineapple... Seemed like a good idea at the time.

At my one of my bff's (she shall be called Carolina here). July 2007. Had been dating the Ex for five months... starting to put on a little weight but nothing drastic... yet.

This is actually the day I broke up with my ex... two days after he told me he had been cheating on another woman with me for the past 8 months.

The "break up" didn't last long and I went back to him after a short 2 weeks of not talking... And this is when I began to be more conscious of the abuse... October 2007, and the weight continues to increase.

December 2007, Ecuador - increasing weight.

March, 2008... still sleeping with him, more weight. At this point, the ex's other girlfriend had begun to stalk me.

From June 2008-December 2008 I went to paramedic school. This photo was in 9/08... Still putting up with the Ex, still sleeping with the ex... The ex not so much an ex... weight increases... Not to mention the difficulties of paramedic school - most people put on substantial weight during p school.

January 2009, after paramedic shcool. YIKES.

March 2009... no comment needed.

June 2009, at my uncle's wedding... sadly still not at my heaviest.... But getting close.

And August/Fall 2009, I hit rock bottom (in many ways). Was depressed out of my mind. Really began to realize that how my ex treated me was abusive - not to mention my health deterioration became more apparent... I stopped sleeping with my ex... and I've since really starting working on boundaries and such with him...

March 2010... lost a little.

June 2010... Still coming off.

July 2010

Current. Not nearly where I want to be, but I think the difference is incredibly apparent... The more I am able to break away from my ex, the more I'm able to take care of myself. I know I still have a long way to to, but he broke down my self esteem and confidence to almost nothing... and it's a long road to build it back... Not to mention other issues effecting my weight (cough... MOTHER)...