My name is Missy( will be 40 Sept 8th ), and I am a mom to 4 great kids, 5 if you count my husband Somwhere along the way after 21 yrs of marriage,4 kids, being a STAHM.. I forgot about *ME* Today I weigh 240 pounds..and I have decided for MYSELF my weight is just no longer acceptable anymore!!! I started last week and did really well, I got a total of 9 miles in workouts in ( Biking and treadmill ). I really PUSHED MYSELF to get all this in, and I have to say as much as I HATE exercising, it actually felt good to see I really have DONE IT, all on my own
Yesterday I biked 4 miles with my oldest daughter, today I will strength train after supper

I really would love to connect with others who are struglling to drop the pounds. I need a place to vent, brag,and SUPPORT.. I struggle with FOOD though, and yes I am talking all that is bad for you So if there is one thing I need to really tackle it is FOOD..If I can bike 4 miles, I think I can tackle my bad food addiction.I just really wanted to say HI to everyone before I jumped in on conversatiuons!!

Welcome! Where in Illinois are you? I'm living in IL as well. Congratulations on your first week of working out! You're doing well!

Welcome, Missy! I can totally relate to your story. It was last December when I came to the same realization. After being a single, career-minded individual for 12 years, I found the love of my life & married at 34. In the span of 5 years, we got married, bought a house (first time homeowners for either of us), had 2 beautiful children, and were simply spinning from all of the change that had occurred in our lives. I found myself at my highest weight ever and looking down the barrel at 40 (next March).

So, I grabbed hold of a weight loss program & held on tight. I did not incorporate much exercise until I was within 10 pounds of my goal weight. It was simply too much for me to make 1 more change into my already time-challenged world. As of April, though, I committed to 3-4x/week and have stuck to it like glue. In fact, I typically get some form of exercise 5-6x/week now, and the weeks when I don't, man do I know it! I am really proud of you for making it a priority early on in your weight loss journey. You will absolutely reap the benefits from it every step of the way. Bravo!!

What a beautiful example you are to your children. Way to show them how to care for their own bodies & prioritize their health. You can do this & I look forward to hearing about your successes, large & small, in the upcoming months.

Go get 'em, mama!!
Cheryl

Cheryl, you made me cry!!!!! It feels so nice to hear such wonderful words of encouragement!! For now my life is about me first, I feel my kids are at that age where they can wait 1 hr before I get to them, hope this does not make me selfish or sound like a terrible mother, as my kids are the center of my life, but for now I am making myself the center, so TY so much for your beitiful words, I never knew how much I needed to hear something like what you said to me!

Redsox, we are in LaSalle-Peru area, where are you?

Arlington Heights. I had to look on the map for your town. To be fair though, I am not originally from Illinois. Too bad we're not neighbors... but we can still give each other support here!

I know how much I needed those words, too! So, I'm glad it was helpful.

The idea that it is OK to put yourself first is a mind shift for sure, but just keep reminding yourself that a happier & healthier mommy/wife IS putting your family first. You cannot give 100% of what you do not have. So keep it up, make yourself whole and you will be leading by example. You and your entire family will benefit...I promise!

Hi there, I am new too.