Anonymous wrote:Mom smokes and takes prescription drugs to maintain her trim figure. Just like Jackie Kennedy.

Your mom is my kinda woman. That's why I weigh less than my mom at my age. Lord I wish they still sold dexadrine over the counter like in the 90s!

Nope, my mom (early 70s) is much heavier than me and has been since she was my current age (late 30s/early 40s). She was very trim when she was younger though. I always assumed I'd start to gain after kids and in middle age as she did, but I haven't.

My new working theory is that past trauma makes you more likely to gain weight (and have accompanying health issues like diabetes, heart disease, etc.) and also makes it harder to lose. My mom had very abusive, alcoholic parents and a very traumatic upbringing. She has never really dealt with it -- she has rejected therapy is unhelpful and I think it is too hard for her to accept that what her parents did was wrong because they indoctrinated her into this idea that there is something genetically wrong with her family. She just walks around in a cloud of guilt and shame and has her entire life. And now of course that gets extended to her weight as well -- she is very self-loathing, especially of her body.

I also had childhood trauma (with a mother dealing with these issues, you can imagine) but I was fortunate to find help in my 20s and have used therapy liberally. I still struggle but I've worked through it. I honestly think this has saved me from similar health issues. I think talking through my issues, practicing self-love and self-acceptance, have all helped me to stay healthier and struggle less with compulsive eating, as well as to take care of my body via exercise and other forms of self-care.

There is actually some evidence behind this theory -- look up "ACES score" and see. I think there is something to it.

Yes, I've been heavier than my mom ever since I was in high school.

She has an eating disorder and has mentioned her freaky low wedding weight to every single person she has ever met.

Yep my mom is 5'8/9 and 145lbs soaking wet. I take after my fathers side of the family. It is a source of great issue with us because she didn't know how to help me with clothing or fit or anything else. Loose clothing and I looked chunky, anything fitted and I felt like a street walker. She has no butt or breasts and I have plenty. It was very difficult growing up without a mom who understood that I needed more than a bralette or that I was making up how heavy they feel.

Yes!! My mom is petite. Maybe 110-115? I am 145. She is actually smaller than all of her daughters.

dododo

My mom is very active but has a curvy body type. She is still thinner than most of my friends moms. My sister and I are both thinner than her

My mom was heavy and weight obsessed when we were younger. She was thin until she had kids and once gained the weight, really couldn't get it off until she was about 65 yrs old. I'm totally overweight and take after her body shape (my sister does not but is thin with high cholesterol like my thinner dad had). I was thin until college and started with bad eating habits (courtesy of rebelling against my mom's restricted food at home due to her weight issue). So yes, I'm heavier than my mom now but see the cycle.

My mom and I are the same weight and have the same figure. I'm lucky that she easily post baby weight and has maintained her figure. She's made it a priority and while she does indulge she watches what she eats. We are both around 5'4 and 110. I used to be a few pounds lighter and she did as well.

Nope.

I am thinner, but my mom was always thin until she had a hysterectomy in her mid 30's. she is also 4 inches shorter than me. She is a great mom, but I do worry about her weight.

No, I weigh more than my mom. She's 5'7" with a pear shaped figure, and I'm 5'3" with a stockier, more hour-glass figure. My mom is absolutely gorgeous, and I inherited the looks from my dad's side of the family. I'm proud of my mom, though. She's gorgeous, thin, and a really good person.

No, much thinner.

My Mom has always been very small - size 2 or 4, and I've had eating/weight issues my whole life. Settled around an 10 before kids. Weight shot up and I was a solid 12/14 after a late pregnancy loss. My mom dealt with a health issue and was suddenly a 8/10. We both lost weight last year and I am so happy to be getting a whole new wardrobe.. I'm in her old 6s/8s and she's back in her 4s. I'm much taller and built differently and think we both look great.

No, definitely the opposite. My mother has been obese since she had me 30+ years ago -- never been smaller than a size 16/18. On the other hand (and probably as a result of her experience), I am very health-conscious and a size 4 after 2 kids and full time at a desk job.