Laurel your story sounds alot like mine.  I was about 10 lbs away from being 200.  I was too letting food be my friend.  I chose to get to that weight. I use to be a very small person until I became depressed.  I was depressed about my life, the mother I was, the wife i was, with my marriage, and everything else in my life. I reallized that i was going no where.  I was at a point that no one else would like me or that I never met anyones requirements of me (family and friends).  I still dealth with my weight issue.  I allowed others to belittle me and tell me things that hurt.  I still carry those pains. 

I started working toward my career and education.  I got the career I wanted, got my GED and still had this weight issue, still not happy.  I went through two different jobs until i came to my third job.  There some people pushed me too far and used me to much, I had it. I  realized that I have no one else to help me, not even my own family, but i  myself. 

So that is what i did.  I got started on a new me.  I now walk an average of 7 miles a day, I drink alot of water, do 20 stomach crunches and eat right.  I went from 195 to 175.  I am working toward a better and healthier me.  And with no thanks to my family or friends.  I am doing for myself finally. 

I truly relate to your story and am too working towards a new me.

Keep up the great work. 

You are the reward.