and hello!
I can only repeat what kim and shannon have said before me - THis is a great place to be! We all go through our hard times and ups and downs. Thankfully everyone here is very supportive when need be and also can give you a sometimes needed kick in the butt!
Just remember to visit often because it really will help you when your feeling down or tempted.
The biggest thing I can say is that you have to think of this as a way of life not a diet. I never think to myself, I can't wait til I reach goal so that this is over. I know that I will be eating like this forever and pasta will never cross my lips again. If you think you are a "carb addict" then that's the frame of mind you have to have. Actually I don't think of myself as one, it's just that I make bad choices. I don't like most meats so I used to fill up on rice and pasta and even sometimes when we we're having something that I didn't particularly care for I would just have cake and coffee for dinner. So now, I have learned 2000 ways to make chicken and fish and how to survive without all the carb based foods I would eat.
how much weight did you lose at one time before you started gaining again?
because I would think that once you lost enough to feel really good about yourself you wouldn't want to lose that feeling for anything!
You mentioned that you have kids. I am 42 with 3 kids (9,8,& 6) I feel so great to have the energy for them now and they are so pleased to see that I am happy. It has even changed the way they eat also without me even having to preach!
Well, enough ramblimg! Feel free to ask any question you may have, There are alot of ladies here who have lost a lot of weight and have good advise. (I myself, am still learning!
but will do what I can to help!
looking forward to hearing about your great progress!
maggie