I have always been really skinny.  It runs in the family.  Women in my family never get fat.  A friend once told me I would make a great subject for a famine-themed photo essay.  It was a joke but it was not funny.

When I was old enough, I joined the local gym.  I had a weigh gain exercise program that I managed to keep (with proper adjustments of course) for almost a year.  I got tired of it after a while since I was not really getting any thicker.  When I looked in the mirror, it was like nothing changed.  I completely forgot about the gym for a couple of years.  I have always liked walking so I had a considerable time of cardio everyday even if I do not mean to.  I got into the disgusting habit of smoking as well, but that did not change anything because I would still walk whenever I can throughout the day.  My bedtime was either late at night or early morning (if the latter is the case, I would just have a quick nap before getting ready for work).  It was not really a problem until I started pigging out on my late nights.

I think it had something to do with the birth control pills I was on at that time.  I switched to a different brand after I noticed that I was cranky most of the time and I did not look healthy.  The new one made me perky all right, but it also made me eat a lot.  I counted on my genes and my love for walking to keep me in shape but it was not enough.  It was not long until friends noticed that I was bursting out of my jeans.  A friend who I have not seen in years thought I had a baby.  I did not give it much thought, I rushed to the nearest gym near my office and signed up for a year.  I was not exactly fat but my body was far from how I used to know it.  I asked my trainer for a toning program.  I was in the gym six days in a week for two hours each day.  In less than six months, I had to stop because I was back to my old skinny self.  I had to eat up my weight gain back.  Now I am pondering on doing pilates or yoga to add to my daily walking routine.  It is just very unfortunate that there are no studios near my place or my office that close late.