Like many others before me, I’ve been watching my weight since I was 9 years old. In fairness, at the beginning, I wasn’t that much heavier than other girls my age, but the dreaded comparison of my ‘big boned’ and heavily endowed body structure to those of my thin, beautifully developing peers contributed to a progressively poor self-image. Swimsuits and pool parties, sports recreation and being forced to wear ‘larger-sized’ clothing that was ‘out of date’ did nothing to help build my sense of self worth. So I continued to live out my life as the ‘fat girl’ – the vivacious personality that everyone wants to be mates with but no-one wants to date! Dieting has been a never-ending struggle, often causing me to blatantly lie about food choices and cheat by overeating. My weight steadily rose from 74 kilograms when I was 16 to 152 kilograms at my largest. However, with the assistance of lap band surgery, 2005 saw me lose 28 kilograms in approx. 12 months… only 44-kg to go!
So here at 32 years old I have finally come to the realization ‘Hey! I’m Fat! And…shock horror… I am ok with that! Sure… I don’t want to stay this way and I am committed to doing everything in my power not to, but for now, this IS me but I revel in the expectation that soon it will all be in the past tense.
The Lighter Side of Large is based on my private collection of illustrated anecdotes based on my own personal experience of being fat. I began writing these stories and anecdotes to inspire myself, an affirmation, if you like, of what is ahead of me; what to look forward to, but also as a reminder of where I have come from. Now I have been inspired to turn it into a novel from start to finish using a bit of creative license. Although Bella White’s story itself is fiction the ‘fat’ experiences are true. Very soon the frustrating and somewhat embarrassing moments Bella experiences in this book will no longer be a concern for me. However, for now whilst I am on this journey rediscovering WHO I am whilst shedding the extra burden that I have labored under for the past 20 years, this book serves as a checklist or yard stick with which I can measure just how far I have come and what milestones I have yet to achieve by seeing my. Similarly, I hope that, in a light-hearted way, it will inspire the many others like me that we are not alone and the best is yet to come
In part, I wrote The Lighter Side of Large to inspire myself, an afï¬rmation, if you like, of what is ahead of me and what to look forward to, but also a reminder of where I have come from.
Currently living in Nelson, New Zealand, I am a stay at home mother of two who has the ‘gift of the gab’ and an appreciation for the ridiculous.
This book is for all those fat people out there that know they are fat and can laugh about it and for all who look forward to being on the lighter side of large… as I do.
A beautifully honest and moving story Rebekah.. look forward to reading your book and am so it will be an inspiration.. Well done for going for pursuing your dreams so relentlessly.. that alone is inspirational. 🙂
I LOVE THIS WEBSITE!! TOO CUTE! Victoria Kovacs told me about you and I’m inspired already! Would love to discuss a few things on how I can be of service!
Thanks For your kind words on my website Chrystal, glad we connected on facebook.
🙂 becky
I have just finished reading this book. All I can say is wow. Finally someone who knows what us fat chicks go through. I can relate so much to this book. I didn’t get past the first chapter without crying. I am a very overweight single mother of two boys and I struggle everyday with this issue. I would love to find the confidence you have. Hopefully one day I will get there. I want yo thank you so much for writing this book. You have know idea how much it means to me. Angel
Hi Angel
So glad we connected on facebook. Thanks for your comments here.
🙂 becky
I just listened to a podcast of your interview on National Radio – you made me smile (in a nice way) 🙂
Thanks Karearea
It was nerve wracking being put on the spot in a live interview like that but I think I said all that needed to be said without fluffing too much about haha.
🙂 becky
A true inspiration. Luckily I have a good man by my side, who really loves me. (I hope) However I really enjoyed your book, I can really relate to alot of your story. I hate looking at my skinny friends, and remembering what I used to look like. You are a very beautiful woman, and a real trooper.
Lucky you Leigh 🙂 So nice to know that true love still happens! I am learning to stop looking at my ‘Skinny Friends’ and start seeing myself pretty – fat and all. I have my ups and downs in regards to my weight but I am becoming more and more ok with myself just the way i am every single day. 🙂 becky
I did enjoy reading the book and had a hard time putting it down but did think that this, the ending never happens in real life……
I am still working on my happy ending also Shannon! I haven’t lost hope though 😉
xxBecky
I am currently reading your book and can SO relate! Thanks for being brave enough to write about it and enabling us to laugh about it for a change! Stay strong—you’ll reach your goals soon!
Hi Cathy
You don’t know how much I needed to hear that today! Thankyou 🙂
Becky
I wanted to tell you that I loved, Loved, LOVED The Lighter Side of Large!!! I wasn’t always large, but I embrace the woman I have become. I figure if people will judge me simply based on my outside, they’re missing out on the fabulous person I am on the inside…and it’s TOTALLY their loss!