This article, written about a year ago, popped up on my feed from Yoni Freedhoff. As we all look towards our "new year's resolutions," I thought it was a good reminder that we are not statistics: we are human individuals. We're all on a journey together, but the destination? Well, apart from the final destination, it's all different.

Hope you enjoy this encouraging word, as I did. If you're easily offended by language and attitude, skip this. Rest of the article Latoya's Story

Barbara - excellent, inspiring, and educational article by Latoya on her journey. We are all different in the way we conduct our lives, and the thing that is most evident when you experience the people around you is that we must focus on our own journeys, as we take so many different routes. My family and I have a movie (based on a true story) that resonates with this message: "Brittany Runs a Marathon." Being conscious of ourselves, considerate of others, and fighting our own fears to learn and improve is enough work in a lifetime. No need to take on any other "charity" cases.

Yesterday one of the self proclaimed members of the protect animals society decided that I was abusing my dog as we took our daily walk. He stopped his car and informed me that he had been watching me and it was clear that I was abusing the dog by dragging him down the sidewalk. I needed to know that my dog was my pet and deserved to be treated as such and if I didn't comply he would report me to the police. I suspect he saw me pull my dog away from a much larger dog that was coming towards us on the sidewalk. It had happened a few minutes before he confronted me. I told him the dog was fine and then just proceeded to walk on. He got back in his car and as he passed me he rolled the window down and shouted at me that I needed to remember what he said. Self proclaimed experts are everywhere. I try to remind myself that people who behave like this are very unhappy and angry people and instead of examining their own minds and behaviors they take out their misery on others. Much too much shaming, trolling and bullying going around. This is not the first time I have been dog shamed because someone has decided that my dog is not being treated appropriately. The last time a woman stopped her car to tell me that I didn't groom my dog enough and that he was matted and in pain. She could tell that from her car window as she drove past. Fat shaming is ubiquitous and an abomination. Dog shaming too. The "I know better than you" squad is everywhere. It's not easy to ignore when it is aimed at one's self.

Best to LaToya. I couldn't do what she is doing!

Latoya is an absolute phenom. I can really relate to her story except for the anorexia part. At 180, still "obese", I am too skinny for me and too fat for everyone else. When I ran, my best times happened when I was about 230 pounds. My slowest, worst running at 180. There is so much disinformation and lack of understanding, it's shocking.

I swear they target "nice people" not actual abusers so take it as a compliment

Hello again, my friends.

You know, as much as anyone, I get pleasure and encouragement from Before and After stories, especially those of people who have lost 100lbs or more, and find their health and happiness transformed for the good. Usually, they look dramatically svelte in those "after" photos.

Perhaps I could invite people here and at DietDoctor to share stories and photos of themselves NOT matching the typical "after"--like Latoya, simply arriving at their own best self.

We are persuaded--and frightened--by medical and commercial messages that describe how people should be at a certain "normal" size.

Excuse me?