Just wanted to introduce myself to everyone. My name is Shantelle (Shandee) and I just turned 40 years old. I've been overweight for much of my life, but never have been this weight before. I'm on the road again to trying to lose all of this weight I've gained over the years. I'm trying my best to get serious about this, because I just recently had two blessings in the last 2 years that has made me have thoughts about turning all of this around for the good. I have 3 kids, and two of which I had recently (19yr, 1yrold & 2yrold year old). I want to be around to see them all grown, married with kids, and I need to ensure that I do that by taking care of me.

So the light bulb recently went off and said give it a try. If you want to be successful in anything that you do, then you have to keep putting forth effort. In the past I kept giving up each time I'd gain a few pounds, I'd say oh heck I can't do it. Well my mind frame right now, is to just do it. To take the time and work on it, no matter how hard and if I gain a few pounds not to give up, just strive to lose it and then move forward.

I'm not doing this for anyone, but for health purposes, I want to regain back my life, my health, everything that this weight keeps from being the best. I'm normally tired all the time and I want that to end. So I'm trying to look towards the positive and think towards the future, and hope that no matter what happens, weight gains and losses, I'll just stick with it through to the end.

I just basically started and have lost 6lbs, but all I can think about is, when l weigh in again, if I gain a lb back whats going to make me not quit if I see that. But I know I won't its just hard to think about gaining back something you fault hard to achieve.

So just wanted you all to know my thoughts of what i'm dealing with.

Hope to get to know everyone and chat soon.

Thanks again for reading this
Shandee

Hi Shantelle, welcome to the forums! I've just joined in recently myself, and am loving it so far . There's so much motivation and support here, we're all in a similar bout and what better way then to come on here, and read about other's goals and successes to keep us going! It's fantastic! I think you'll find it a great help.
To take a quote from you: "I'm not doing this for anyone, but for health purposes, I want to regain back my life, my health, everything that this weight keeps from being the best". I absolutely agree 100% with you there! That's pretty much the stance I have right now too. Getting healthy and gaining back confidence, I think are such important factors in the motivation to lose weight. You have to want to do it for YOU, and that's that!
Best of luck to you and congrats on your progress so far! Good job

Thanks Courtney, I appreciate the words of advice, you are right its like you finally see that although it may be hard and its incredibly true, we are our own worst enemies when trying to lose weight.

Its harder for me, because I actually do Counseling work for a living and I wonder how I can motivate others and give others advice on things going on in their lives, marriage, relationships, kids and everything, but can't seem to get the motivation for myself to battle this one enemy I have within myself.

Hopefully I'll be able to do this now, and can see that its just a daily struggle that I will have to challenge myself for the rest of my life.

Thanks again and congratulations on your weight loss, I can't wait to see a "2" in front of my weight, thats the ultimate goal for now.

Welcome
We have two things in common needing to lose weight and having children several years apart.
My son is 19y/o at college. My daughter 4 y/o in 4 y/o kindergarten.
If I can make a suggestion read the following post in is life changing.
An amazing story.
http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=84601
Good luck.