secondhelpinglaura

I grew up in southern Indiana, moved to Chicago in January 2005 when I was 23. I've been fat all my life, the only one in my immediate family - dad was big and tall but very fit and muscular; sister tall and athletic, basketball & tennis star; mom short and thin, very disordered views on food. And me, the big baby. Put on diets since 3rd grade, including Slim-Fast, Dexatrim, T-Lite, magic soup, grapefruit, Phen-Fen (at 12), Jenny Craig. Mom always promised I'd get better clothes if I lost weight. Started Weight Watchers on my own in 2001, lost 40 lbs, gained some back. Lost 100 lbs between 2003 and 2005 through Weight Watchers and intense activity. Gained it back after moving to Chicago. Now I just eat to be healthy and satisfied and work out to feel good - not out of guilt anymore.

I helped start a Chicago sketch group in 2006 - FatCo, which we since renamed The Second Helping. We write about being fat, the emotions behind it, the sense-of-humor you have to have when dealing with jerks. It gives me an outlet for my stories.

• secondhelpinglaura has been with BFB for 18 weeks 1 day? It's true!
• secondhelpinglaura has a website at http://www.secondhelpinglaura.blogspot.com? Indeed!
• secondhelpinglaura hails from Chicago, IL?