The time is now!

Dear Readers,

Over the last four weeks, we have been running this promo:

Lose the weight and keep it off! Want to lose weight in 2009?

Tell us about your battle with the bulge in 200 words or less. One lucky reader will kick-start his or her battle with free consultations with The Gleaner's multi-award-winning Health section's nutrition, exercise and mental-health experts and special features.

The challenge closed February 20 and I would like to personally thank readers for their vibrant responses that let the Health team into a frustrating part of some people's lives - the effort to lose weight.

We know that many people have an ambivalent relationship with food and that many people have personal struggles with food. Food is served at most family and community gatherings and from childhood, we are taught (perhaps unintentionally) that food, especially dessert, is a reward. Some people eat too little, others too much and for yet another group of people food is a major component in their coping and self-soothing strategies. The result is that many people are eating for a lot of other reasons beside taming hunger.

Sheer frustration

This we know, but we didn't expect so many letters that expressed just sheer frustration with efforts to lose weight.

We received responses from all across the island, from young and old alike and, not surprisingly, taking into account the health-seeking behaviour of men and women, only women responded to the challenge. Many of the letters were sad. Many readers recounted their painful, even heart-rending struggles with food and body fat. Some of these struggles date back to childhood, others to the birth of a first child.

Only one reader will win the prize of free consultations with the Health section's nutritionist, exercise physiologist and mental health experts. The lucky winner will be announced in next Wednesday's special Health edition - the launch of our three-month 'Lose the weight and keep it off' campaign.

The series will appear every other week in March, April and May. Follow this campaign and the advice given to our winner and give us your feedback.

But, we don't want to disappoint the other women who responded to the challenge. After reading the letters, we all agreed, without prompting, that we shouldn't leave them hanging. We are already exploring the idea of a consolation prize for you.

Eulalee Thompson is health editor and a professional counsellor; email: eulalee.thompson@gleanerjm.com.

Some readers' responses:

Champion! Fluffy! Fatty! Sounds familiar to you? Sure does to me! My body is a gift from God that has been wrapped in layers of bulges for years. Many may wonder how could I have allowed this beautiful gift to be transformed into a 238lb burden! I've been struggling for years to unwrap my gift and to see the beauty beneath my bulge and to be an inspiration to many persons like me.

- Cadeen

Like most persons with a weight problem, as long as I was aware of weight, I've been overweight. It began to hit me, like a tonne of bricks, at age nine that my weight was undesirable. This led me to try all sorts of unhealthy dieting practices, such as diet pills, starvation and bingeing. Of course, they didn't seem wrong at the time. I was 13.

Despite my efforts, I hit my highest weight of 195lb at 15. It was then that I made a vow to never go above the 200lb mark. It took a couple years, but I finally hit the 140lb mark and was sure I had the weight issue licked. But after starting university, the weight has slowly crept back.

- Danielle

I have been battling with my weight ever since I had my wonderful son 12 years ago. I exercise, sometimes five times for the week and also go on some drastic diets - from fruit only, maple syrup and cayenne pepper to sometimes starving myself. I can tell you that these things only work for a time and it is very stressful.

- Suzette

I was always chubby even as a child. The problem started when I reached the adolescent stage of my life. I was always active even in my high-school years. However, the weight was always a factor. Do not get me wrong, I love myself very much, but I have always thought about what it would feel like a little lighter.

I have tried on my own, but I cannot seem to get it the right way. I go online every day trying to see the latest weight-loss products and diets. I also read the Health section of The Gleaner and I still have the article on the detox regime.

- Tanica

It took me a while to respond, giving it much thought. I hope it is not too late. I think this is a life-saving idea you have. Thanks. Here are my 200 words. If you have been past over for opportunities, even though you know and they know that you are qualified and competent to get the tasks done, then you'll understand some of the frustrations involved in a journey of the battle of the bulge. In my lifetime, I have encountered several life-altering experiences which, according to experts, manifest in the retention of this unwanted weight. It has been an uphill battle for years to deal with a barrage of issues which create and feed this vicious cycle.

- Heather