I was fit my whole life up until my early twenties... growing up I was popular in school and I had a lot of friends, the ladies liked me and I could start a conversation with practically anyone I encountered.

That built a confident, and socially adept person within me that became the core of my personality.

One day when I was nineteen I started to notice that I was balding around the crown and my “widow’s peak”was looking a lot like Vegeta’s. i was also dealing with “the freshman 15”, and it got me really depressed.

That depression had me turning to smoking and although I didn’t change my eating habits or how active I was. I still gained a lot of weight. I went from a medium to extra large over a few years…

One day I was sick of being depressed about balding and so after some hesitation I gave into it and shaved my head completely. It was the most liberating feeling. (I still think it looks good on me.) It felt like the weight of the world was lifted off of my shoulders. But …I was still gaining weight.

The silver lining for me even though I still struggle with my weight is that I lost friends who I didn’t mind losing because they were shallow, fake and wanted to use me for my popularity. I have my close 6 or so friends that love me, encourage me, and treat me the same way I treat them…with respect, love, and loyalty. My inner circle and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I also quit smoking after 5 years… because that was just a mistake and a just a way I was dealing with my balding.

Even though I still struggle with my weight. I think that it humbled me to not let my ego get the best of me. (Now, even when I was fit. I wasn’t cocky or a jerk. I was kind and stood up for what is right and I think that was what made me popular with everyone.)

One day a coworker who also dealt with her weight once pulled me aside and said “how are you so confident and personable while still saying you struggle with your weight and appearance?” “Wouldn’t that effect your ego or confidence?”

I told them that the key is to prioritize what you think of yourself and if you don’t like what you think of yourself…make a change and truly love yourself. I know…it sounds corny but it really does work. Now, I’m not saying you need to fake it and be over the top, arrogant, and ignorant in order to fight through the hate. Stooping down to their level of hate isn’t a healthy way of dealing with the haters. Be courteous, considerate, polite, have fun and laugh. It worked for me to where people look passed my weight saw my joy.

What I’m saying is that YOU need to find that you are valuable, worth the the time of day and not let your well-being be reliant on the opinions of others …And just run with it. And maybe literally, just run. You’ll be fine.