Hi all --
Christian Encouragers sounded like a great place to start my new 3FC experience. I was reading through some posts last night after discovering this site and was surprised to notice a little lump in my throat and tear in the corner of my eye. Even those of us who consider ourselves tough cookies need encouragement, and I'm glad to have found a source for it here. Here's my very brief story...

I carry my weight well and like my general shape, there's just too much of me in that shape! We are a military family getting ready to move for the 12th time in 12 years (!), and every time we are displaced by moving, it's hard not to gain at least 5 pounds. After several moves and pound accumulations, my husband was deployed to Iraq 5 years ago. I purposed in my heart to lost the weight, and did it! 40 pounds lost; fit into the wedding dress; more energy and stamina than I'd had in years -- the whole she-bang. Then.... hubby comes home, happiness sets in (just like we you first get married), we move again, I slide off the program, then slide more, then feel hopeless, then wake up one day 2 years later to realize I've put it all back on, plus 10. Ugh. So... Now I'm determined to get back the lifestyle that had me feeling so fantastic 2-3 years ago. We're moving in 2 weeks, but that isn't going to stop me or slow me down this time - I'm confronting it! We have a trip to SeaWorld planned for this September, which will include getting in a wetsuit and swimming with a dolphin, and I'm bound and determined to be ready. However, that's not my primary motivation. My motivation is the same as it was the last time I was successful -- to be healthy and active for my precious family, and to be a good testimony for my Lord. That's pretty much it, in a nutshell.

If anyone out there has lost and regained weight, and lost it again successfully, I'd appreciate your words of advice and encouragement. I know how to do this and I know I can do it -- I've had the necessary "making up of the stubborn mind." I'm just so excited to find this forum where I can be held accountable and report my successes and failures without my sweet husband having to listen to them for the 900th time!

I'm already behind schedule today, but the workout will be done! I'm ready, so here goes...

Bev - prayers continuing for your health! Hope you are feeling better soon!

Gary - I hope you get the painting done soon! Glad you got in some miles At least that paintbrush will keep the beverage consumption down Seems like we need to tough love you back down to 170

fishcookies I LOVE your screen name - there must be a story there!

Count me as one who lost, regained, and lost again. I changed jobs, had some family issues and let stress eating become the norm for me. Little did I realize that and extra 100-200 calories a day = 10-20 lbs per year. Multiply that times 8 years, and I put on about 85 lbs.

This time I decided that it had to be a lifestyle change. No more "diets". I also knew that I had to find an exercise routine that I enjoyed if I was to keep at it. I experimented with a LOT of different things until I found what worked.

I like the book Faithfully Fit. It is a spiritual workbook of sorts that helps you turn to God's word to help with emotional eating and yo-yo dieting issues.

Feel free to click on my goal story link for more specifics of my plan.

Gotta fly all - garden is calling.
But - prayers are continuing for all!

Blessings!
Laurie

Thank you, Laurie, for the kind welcome. I have actually already read your story -- I believe it was what put the tear in my eye. Now I have tears in my eyes for another reason -- I injured my ankle on ye olde treadmill today. It's not even that I overdid it -- I think I just had my sneaks tied too tightly. Good grief. I'm fighting back the urge to bawl in frustration at getting so psyched and now this. I can hardly stand the thought of my momentum getting stalled just off the starting block... But I'll figure out how to get back in the game, and my husband (the fitness guru) already has me iced down and propped up... I'm so glad to hear your story and that it really can be done a second time (I even noticed that we shared the same starting weight). I needed to hear that, especially after trying on the swimsuit that came in the mail today. Ugh.

On a happier note, thank you for noticing my ID. "Fishcookies" is something my daughter used to say when she was a toddler. It's from a cartoon where the little character is a penguin, and his favorite snack is fishcookies. On one episode, the penguin was taking a picture of his mother, and instead of saying, "say cheese," he said, "Smile, say fishcookies!" From then on, when my daughter wanted me to smile, she would say, "Mama -- say fishcookies!" And a memory was born. Now that's my silly moniker for everything, including my eBay seller name. It makes me smile to see it written.

Blessings,
Shannon

Hey there sweet taters,

I just want to thank all of you for missing me, cause I surely missed each and everyone of you. Legs are getting better but the infection in them is not totally gone and the pain gets pretty fough, but I still here, still alive, and still praising OUR GOD!!! BY HIS STRIPES I AM HEALED!!!!

I AM SOOOOO HAPPY TO SEE MY BEVIE, GOD IS DOING A WORK IN YOU KIDDO, PEACE BE STILL AND LET HIM WORK BEYOND YOUR WILDEST DREAMS. lAURIE IS SO RIGHT, IF HE CLOSES A DOOR, HE WILL OPEN A WINDOW, TAKE IN THE BREEZE AND LET IT FLOW. NOW SLOW DOWN AND GET WELL, OKAY?

Laurie, you always give inspiring advice and I always look for it from you. I am going to start calling you and Kathy the WEED-O-NATORS. LOL

Eleanorigby,
So joyous that you are here, it is a blessing to see young folks like you lovin' the Lord. How positive and encouraging is that. WTG!!! You will accomplish all you have set out to do, you have the right spirit, and determination. You will be right here to support and encourage you.

Gary,
You are doing a lot and that is just the way you like it. Keping it moving I believe keeps you going!!! Your nickname will be SUPERMAN!!! You ROCK!!

Karen, finally all moved in, what a relief and now maybe you can enjoy.

O2bthin (Kathy),
Thanky you for your heart felt words, I pray you will be feeling better even more, and then you can come a pull my weeds. LOL!!

Rosebud,
You do make me smile, it warms my heart to know that people actually miss me when I am not around. That was a boost for me and I appreciate it.
Yes little darlin', the chilly and damp weather is not our friend no matter how much it pretends to be. Prayers that your trailer will be fixed in no time and then, ON THE ROAD AGAIN !!! Hope those bones feel better soon.

Oh my goodness, Fishcookies,
Here is a huge welcome to you, happy you are here, the more the merrier, so sit back, take your shoes and stay awhile, you will fit in just like a glove.

It has been a nice day here today and now I am going to make it a just a little bit better, gonna go and put my legs up.

Hugs, love, blessings and prayers comming your way,
Ags

Aggie - someone told me today that God said "sssshhhh....don't fret, don't question...I got this!"

she spoke the same thing you and everyone has said. that God has a plan with me and him!

SOMEBODY start a new Christian Encouragers...it's June and I am not gonna do it!

Welcome Shannon!

I painted tonight but not tomorrow night...I willl try and catch up then!

You gals are the best!

Tammy started the JUNE thread