[beforeim35]

So, I am sure my story is the same as most of yours. Regardless of my screen name, I just turned 37 a couple of weeks ago. I have spent the majority of my life overweight. Over the years, I have dieted on and off and only had real success twice. One time, after leaving my first husband, I quickly and without much effort lost about 45 pounds. Unfortunately, I assume I lost part of it because, I had no time for eating because I was going aout all the time, "enjoying" my new found freedom. Suffice it to say that I gained it all back when I got pregnant later that summer and added a few more pounds as well. I only got to be skinny for about three months

Then about two years ago, a guy that I was interested in catching the attention of, motivated me to lose about thirty pounds. I was still far from my goal weight but I was definately on my way. That weight loss was short lived as well.

So, here I am, back at pretty much the same weight I have been for the last ten years at least. Not a whole lot of fluctuation up or down. (still 10 pounds under my "high" weight two years ago thank goodness). Recently I talked to "the motivator" of my last weight loss and we may be seeing each other pretty soon. So of course now I am thinking how fast can I lose at least a few pounds so that I don't end up looking awful that first day.

So, I know what you are going to say. I shouldn't be losing it for this guy. And I know you are right. But the way I look at it, if this guy motivates me then maybe it is just time I grab the bull by the horns and try again. This could be te time I keep it off. I start a new job on Tuesday after a very rough summer without one and I would like this to be a turning point in my life. I know the things that I need to change, it is just a matter of doing it!!

So, I apoligize for my rambling, but I felt I needed to get it out there in the hopes that it would help jump start me to do it again. Anyone have any cheap/free ideas to jumpstart a weight loss? If I could fairly quickly see a loss on the scale, it would not only increase my confidence when I see this guy, but it helps me to continue on with the weight loss.

Any thoughts of comments would be helpful.

[Rosinante]

Hi and good luck from a fellow yoyo-er!

I'm finding the new fitday a great motivator. It's 'given' me 1750 calories as a daily budget, which seemed huge but hey, I've lost 13lbs in August, so it must be ok.

Hope you find what suits you!

[Modjeska]

How ironic that I was just coming here for the first time in (I'm guessing) over a year, and yours was the first post I read. I'm in the same boat. A year ago, I was celebrating my goal weight. Now I'm back to where I started. I just got stressed and lost track of my eating habits. *sigh*

I knew I was gaining weight, but until I jumped on a scale at work on Thursday, I didn't realize I was actually back at my starting weight. I need a new plan.

Good luck with yours!