chapter 5

I began working from home more, and Jamie became more aggressive with her feeding. For the last few years I had been gaining around 4 pounds per month. But as I surpassed 350, my appetite began to grow even more, facilitated by Jamie's cooking and constant feeding. I spent most of my days on the couch, working on my laptop and snacking. I snacked constantly, I was eating 7 or 8 thousand calories a day. I was gaining a pound every 2 or 3 days, and I hit 400 by the end of the year. I'd wear t-shirts that would expose the end of my belly, which hung down between my thighs as I sat. I got overheated easily, and I wasn't leaving the house often. It was hard for me to stand up, and I'd let out a big gasp as I did so.

At the beginning of the year, I had to go into the office for an emergency meeting. I had been working from home for 5 or 6 months, and I hadn't needed to visit the office. None of my clothes fit me, and I squeezed myself into my dress clothes. I couldn't tuck my shirt in, and the white bottom part of my stomach was exposed when I sat. I hadn't even driven in months, and my stomach was forced up against the wheel as I drove my car. People were transfixed when I waddled into the room, I had gained well over 150 pounds since working there, in only a year and a half. That was the last time I visited an office.

My rapid gain continued during the spring. I was averaging 10 pounds a month, and I cracked 450 by memorial day. That weekend, I went and met Jamie's family at their lake house. Jamie herself had gained a considerable amount of weight. When I met her, she was barely chubby. By now, she was up to 250. Jamie is only about 5'3, so on her frame, she was big. Together, we were massive. We rented an SUV and set out on our road trip. When we arrived, her family which consisted mostly of very fit people, was clearly shocked. Their once svelte, cute daughter had turned into a fat pig. She had a big hanging belly, shown off by her bikini. She ate to her heart's content, and at this point was gaining as quickly as I was. I, on the other hand, was probably the most massive person they had ever seen. My white stomach, covered in stretch marks, hung down nearly to my knees when I stood. I was constantly out of breath. I felt incredibly out of place, but ate like a pig the entire time.