Introductions - I'm new - Looking for support/I'd like to share my story

I work seven days a week, running my own business that I love. I work long and hard helping clients be the best that they can be, earning them much success. I am solely responsible for the financial and general well being of my husband, my mother, which lives with us, and our three beautiful children. I am very active in the community, helping non-profits wherever I can. I travel often as my business requires and I’m involved in everything.
As I sit here working another late night, missing my children, with my 10 piece chicken nuggets, quarter pounder with cheese, large fry and large sweet tea – again – I wonder with all the things that I give of myself “who’s going to help me”
Today I noticed myself in the rear view mirror driving in my car, as I frequently do, getting fatter. I noticed that my face has all but lost its shape and my second chin continues to grow. I used to be so beautiful…
In my early twenties I was a small and very petite size 4. I felt and looked amazing. These days at the still young age of 28, I’ve added a 2 in front of that 4 at the weight of 285 and growing. Did I really gain 150 pounds? Where did that girl go? The funny thing is, I still feel like that small girl. When I dream, I am still her, and I wake up surprised at the shocking difference. I still love being active, playing with my kids, working hard and getting things done. I’m not lazy. But I am tired. My body is so tired. Sometimes I feel like it can’t keep up with my small inner girl’s pace. I feel like it won’t be able to hold up at all… You really don’t see old fat people.
I am a photographer, designer, creative director, entrepreneur, avid learner, and lover of all things beautiful - except myself.
I am reaching out with a plea for help. I need a strong support group that will stand by me and hold my hand through all the difficult challenges I face to overcome my stress and obesity issues. I’ve of course tried, and tried, and tried to lose it on my own. I’ve lost hundreds of pounds actually. The SAME hundreds of pounds. I recently gained over 50 pounds in a four month period. I don’t see myself as different there. I know lots of people can say the same. But I have been told that one of my best and rarest characteristics is knowing what I am NOT good at and when to ask for help. And I WANT it! I want the change for myself so badly because I know what it would do for every facet of my life. I’m not seeking that size 4 again, I only want to feel healthy again. I want to get in the floor without worrying if I can get up again. I want to look up a flight of stairs confidently. I want to take a bath without having trouble covering myself with water. I’m tired of being embarrassed to show my arms. It feels silly covering myself from head to toe in the summer time.
I hope to find some support and camaraderie here - A place to come to when I’m thinking of a late night binge again. I have no one to talk to who understands. I've never been able to share these things before. I look forward to being able to speak freely and supporting where I can.

Welcome to 3FC =)

Your story is not unlike many others I've read on 3FC (or other places).

People who put everyone else ahead of themselves and end up paying a price. There's a way out of it, though it's not easy, but you already know that part. One step at a time, you can make your health a priority. When you make your health a priority, you might even find that helping take care of others becomes easier.

We all come from different walks of life. We all have different stories about our weight, when it was put on, why it was put on... but we have a lot in common. Every single person here is aware what it's like to have some extra weight. Every single person here is making changes to ensure that they're getting healthier along the way permanently. And every single person here wants EVERYONE to succeed.

The first difficult challenge is deciding you want to do something about it. And recognizing that while the weight may not come off at lightning speed, it will eventually come off as we make healthier choices. Sometimes it feels like we put it on overnight, but we didn't. It took months. Or years. So it's going to take months, or years, to come off. We have to be okay with this. That doesn't mean we don't see the benefits within a few weeks. Heck within a month there are great things we can do to feel better.

You say you've done this before. So. What was working for you? And equally as important... what wasn't working for you?

Remember, you are in charge of the plan. Don't force yourself into a "diet" that makes certain changes which are unacceptable to you. With a little time you'll find, create and tweak a plan to fit into your life while still giving you the healthy changes you want.

You can do this. You are not alone.

Come back anytime you want. Read. Post. Participate. Rant. Ask questions.

Welcome to the site and you have the best support group you will ever find here. I am still new to this site but everything I read, we all look for the same thing SUPPORT. Somewhere we can go where people understand what we are going through, and here is that place. There are hundreds of different forums to read and takes time but just find one you are interested in and go with it. I am a very active person also but in the last 3 years its has gone down hill. I fell and broke my left kneecap which is healed now but has caused me to have osteoarthritis(spelling) in my right hip. I will eventually have to have a total hip replacement but the dr is trying to prolong it as long as possible. I have no more cartridge left in my right hip nor in the lumbar support in my back. I am only 45 and a hip replacement only last 10 years so with me putting my mind to lose the weight I want too which is 135lbs it will prolong the replacement. I am the Grounds Transportation Manager for an Airline company, fulltime student and mother of 2 boys. I have always put them first, I told them its TIME FOR MOM! they support me and are very proud of me for doing this. I graduate in July and hopefully by then I will have lost 40lbs and if I don't its ok, I have 19lbs gone after only 3 weeks. As long has I have losses each week that is all that matters to me. Keep your chin up and Write anytime you want. I am here most of the time. Have a great weekend!

Welcome, Carmen. I think you'll find what you're looking for here. Some of the best supports systems I've come across on this site are the accountability pages -- people posting every day their exercise, weight, what they've eaten, etc. Seeing what others are doing makes me want to keep up with them and not slip up. And any time you have a question or just need to vent or get that little extra bit of support, start a thread of your own! People will read, respond, and always, always be there for you.

Welcome and good luck!

Thank you all so much for your kind words of encouragement. Reading all the other posts on the site really give me some strength. I look foward to being a part of this community!

Welcome to 3fc!!!!! I can relate to u in some ways. I also work 7 days a week. I don't own my own business but I work 2 part time jobs. My mom is out of work so I take care of her financially.

Now I've NEVER been skinny but I gained a ton of weight as I reached adulthood. I knew I was bigger but didn't know how much because I always avoided the scale. When I finally stepped on one I saw I was a few pounds shy of 300! Something had to change.

Making time for exercise is hard but I found something that works for me. I get up pretty early in the morning to go to the gym. I am NOT a morning person so it was difficult at first. After a while my body adjusted and I was fine.

I feel u will do great dropping the weight. If u need a partner just let me know!