u/leightalks_

Hi everyone, I’m reaching out because I’m at loss as to how to help my dog, Kevin. I’ve had him for about a month and a half, and he has really bad separation anxiety.

During the workday, the only place he can stay calm without me is my car. I’ve tried leaving him in the house, but it’s been a disaster. When free-roaming, he destroyed my front door, and when kennelled, he ripped apart the plastic base of his kennel. On top of that, he barks constantly when left alone.

Kevin also has serious bolting tendencies, he was hit by a car after running away from his previous owners, so I’m very worried this could happen again. Inside the house, he doesn’t leave my side; if I shut a door, like the bathroom, he paws at it just to be near me.

I love Kevin and want him to feel safe and happy, but I don’t know how to help him cope with being alone. Has anyone dealt with extreme separation anxiety and bolting behavior before? Any advice, tips, or resources would be hugely appreciated.

For my birthday, I’m looking back on a year of truly prioritizing my health and I’m so proud of the progress I've made. 💪✨ I’m heading into this next chapter committed to keeping that momentum going! My gym fits are all about cute sports tanks and yoga shorts… there is no need to hide this beautiful, strong body. Feeling fabulous and ready for another amazing year of growth! 🎉

The cap + tank top + dolphin shorts = 👌
Hat = Emma Arlette’s website
Top = Amazon (Brand: YEOREO) in XL
Bottoms = Amazon (Brand Cameway) in 3XL

I’ve been really feeling myself lately, taking care of my body, mind, and spirit… so I asked ChatGPT to turn me into a Renaissance painting. And just look at herrr - a powerful, fat, goddess!! 🥹🥹🥹

Thought bodysuits were gonna be a last year’s trend, and maybe they are, but I look too cute not to keep wearing them. Plus, these are big belly approved! 🥰
All from Amazon - Brands: Popilush and FeelinGirl in XXLs. (I’m a 2x in tops from Torrid for reference.)

Just wanted to share a small win that sometimes gets overlooked: my face is starting to show some definition after losing weight! It’s crazy how much your cheeks, jawline, and even your eyes can change without you noticing day-to-day. Feels amazing to see a reflection that finally matches how strong and healthy I feel. Still going hard, still going strong. 💪

Without them, I wouldn’t be where I am today. This time of year is always tough, as it’s when my ex-husband proposed to me. I remember calling my girls to share the news, and while they tried to act excited, they also gently warned me to listen to my instincts. I didn’t, and still got married, but they continued to love me through it all.

It’s funny because my counsellor recently asked me what I thought unconditional love was and I think it’s exactly this: Standing by someone, even when they make the wrong choices. My girls loved me through the worst decade of my life and patiently waited for me to leave that relationship. It wasn’t that my ex was a bad person. We just brought out the worst in each other. But I almost didn’t make it out of that relationship. I’m not exaggerating, it almost killed me. That picture on the left, although I was smiling, wasn’t a happy time. My PCOS was raging and my symptoms were intense (2 years of a continuous period, hemorrhaging, blood transfusions, subsequent infertility struggles, depression, anxiety, hirsutism, and androgenic alopecia). The light in me was fading as I tried to fake happiness every single f*cking day. But it was my girls who pulled me out of those dark days and reminded me of who I was at my core.

I’m struggling right now because I’m not seeing a lot of progress in my weight loss journey, and it’s making me spiral a little bit. I was 80lbs down, however, now more like 60lbs. But I keep pushing forward because my girls always knew I deserved a better life. They believed in me when I couldn’t believe in myself, and I’m determined to show them that I can do this.

Plus, I did NOT call them 7 bazillion times crying about wanting a better life not to follow through on that plan. 🫡👯‍♀️👯‍♀️💖

Hey everyone!

I wanted to share a few photos of me at the gym with all my jiggly curves, working hard and fully owning my body.

I know the gym can feel isolating and intimidating at times, especially if you’re a fat person with visible cellulite. But I want to remind you that you’re not alone. This is me, embracing my body and all the amazing things it lets me do every day - even if it means a little extra jiggle while I move and break a sweat.

Here’s to all of us, showing up for ourselves, working on our strength, practicing self-love, and feeling good in our own skin.

Keep shining, folks! ✨

How freaking cute is this summery, seductive Catwoman onesie?! Like, yes, I’ll fight crime in Gotham City, take down all the body terrorists, and look amazing while doing it - yes, yes, YES QUEEN!

If you want to follow me on this new era of choosing myself, my health, and my happiness in this beautiful, big, fat body, come find me on IG @erinlikestogab (I’m a little cringe about sharing my handle, but it’s always been a dream to motivate women, especially those who look like me [Apple Shapes Unit 🍎✊] to be happy with who they are right 👏 now 👏. Point blank, period. We’re DONE with Skinnytok but I’m too old for actual TikTok so you can only catch me on the Mark Zuckerberg side of the interwebs 😅.)

PS: The onesie is from Amazon 🇨🇦 (Brand: YEOREO - Size XXL) but the material is super stretchy and I’m a Torrid size 2x top and 24 bottom for reference.

Saturday gym sesh ✅ (Despite popular belief, I hike, do Pilates, and go to the gym 3-4 days a week.)

I initially lost 80lbs, and while I’ve gained some back and it put me into a spiral, that doesn’t define the hard work I’ve put in. So, I started to refocus. Now, I’m lifting heavier, feeling healthier, and reversing the symptoms of my PCOS. The journey has its ups and downs, but I’m proud of how far I’ve come and the strength I’m building along the way. 💪

I’m back in my favorite clothes and couldn’t be happier 🥰

Top is Popilush from Amazon (XXL)

Shorts are from Torrid - Bombshell 3.5” (Size 24)

Belt is from Reitmans (3XL)

Tried on the shorts I wore last season and quickly realized they were too small. Instead of beating myself up over it, I grabbed an old pair of size 24 shorts, and honestly, I couldn’t care less about the numbers. Life’s too short to focus on digits when your body is all about giving you amazing experiences today, tomorrow, and beyond.

Happy Days, Y’all! 🤗