[ChugginAway]

Hello Everyone!

I, like most, have been scouting the forums for a couple weeks and have decided I should just make an account already

I'll be completely honest; This 300+ club is not a club I wanted to be in! I hadn't weighed myself in over a year, until just 2 weeks ago at the doctors office. I couldn't believe the scale! 313 lbs! I would have never imagined.

I guess my story really begins at age 8, when I lost my father. He was my hero. We were constantly doing something. 22 mile bike rides, walking around the woods, chasing down farm animals. After he died so did my ambition for moving. My mother was a wreak, and lets face it, who wouldn't be, so I turned to food as comfort.

Just these last 10 years have been a huge turning point. I've become a mother and now know the true selflessness of it. With that comes putting everyone but myself first. While doing that I've managed to gain about 130 lbs!

I've said before that I would eat better, exercise more. I'd go on a diet Monday. Even though that Monday would never come around. NOW I mean it. I've finally realized there are NO quick fixes. I didn't get this big overnight, although truthfully it felt like it. I can't realistically expect to lose weight as fast as I once thought. What I have to do is work hard, everyday. It's so easy to get this big. I'm done with easy. I want to put in the work to get healthy, finally!

With all that being said; While I'm not proud I'm in the 300+ Club, I am proud that I'm no longer lying to myself. I'm proud that in just 2 short weeks I've lost 5 lbs. And most importantly, I'm proud to have you guys here for support and encouragement. I'm proud of all of us for taking control of our health and trying hard everyday to better ourselves!

I hope to get to know all of you. To share in your struggles and accomplishments. Just like I know you'll do in mine.

With much love,

~Carmen

[angieand2girls]

Such a beautiful post, Carmen. You are right about everything you've said. If you keep this dedication to yourself, there is no other option but to succeed! The journey is long for me as well because I have so much to lose, but embracing the journey along the way...learning about yourself...improving yourself in big ways....that's what makes it sustainable. I think one of the biggest lessons I'm learning throughout my weight loss journey is how important SELF CONTROL is. We are not victims to food. We have the control and have always had it. Take it back. For your health, your life, your children. You CAN do it! WELCOME! You will find LOTS of support here!

[sistah phat]

I can certainly relate to the shock of seeing that scale tip 300 (in my case 400).

I had to learn how to do what is right for me; something that I can live with for the rest of my life. For me, it isn't about short-term deprivation, I've done that with results that were worse than when I started. It is about mindfulness; having a plan and sticking to it or finding ways to compensate when things go off-track.

This is a great forum to look for inspiration, celebrate success, and support for the setbacks. Welcome and best wishes for success.

[ChugginAway]

Thank you both for your kind words, and helpful hints, already! I really do appreciate it!

[KerriLeah]

I enjoyed reading! I am with you. I've started many times in my mind! I have even started several times with my heart in it, only to hit a block, stop and feel like I failed at it again. When I put my all in it, I CAN lose weight. But somewhere I hit a pit and allow myself to not crawl out of it. I think for me, and maybe you, too, is to just not stop. Not stop once we start. Not stop because we had cheesecake or too many Doritos. But to see it for what it is, and keep going.

[KateB]

Carmen-
You can do this! i too know how being the caretaker of others can lead us to not take such good care of ourselves. BUT, what happens if we are not there to care for the others? I know you have probably heard that before, but it is true. Sometimes you have to put yourself first. That does't mean you are neglecting others, that took me a long time to learn.

Best of luck to you! I am looking forward to following your SUCCESS!

[ChugginAway]

Kate, your statements ring as true as ever right now!

I'm hopping back on the wagon after being off for almost 3 weeks. In that time I had been suffering from horrible cluster headaches. After numerous test they found I also had hypertension! At 25! Talk about a reality check! I'm now on a BP/migraine medicine, and after 2 days with no headache, my outlook is positive. It's just impossible to move, let alone work out, when your almost positive your head is going to explode!

I head back to the doctor next Friday and hope to get the all clear to start exercising again.

I need to get myself in better shape and add years to my life expectancy. I need to be there for my children's children.