introducing me!
 

Hello all. My name is Betsy and I am 31yo wife and mother of 3 fine boys, 4 counting dh. I am a long time lurker and occasional poster and thought I should post an official introduction.

somewhere along the way of life's assorted adventures and struggles, I have lost myself. I am the kind of person who is always taking care of others and never put any time into me. But that is changing. ;-) This year is going to be MY year. I have gone back to school to pursue a nursing career. I have decided to become a healthier happier person. Since January, I have lost 31 lbs! I am anxious to keep this downtrend going and continue towards my goal.

I know it won't be easy, I have been down this road many times. This time just feels different and I am loving it. (well not everyday, but you know what I mean) I am down 56lbs from my highest weight (Jan 2007) and I am ready to make the commitment to never go back. I have been spring cleaning the closet and am tossing (well, donating and giving away) all the clothes that are too big. I have very much enjoyed fitting into some old friends in sizes I have not seen in quite some time. :carrot:

It is deffinatly thanks to being around people who have been where you are and are taking this hard road with you that has made the difference for me this time around. Hoping to be able to offer support and get a little (or some days a lot) along the way.

~betsy

Hi there Betsy!

:welcome:

Congratulations on the weight you've lost so far! Wow you're in Onederland! :D

Make sure that you stick around & keep posting ^^

Best of success!!

WOW . . . You are doing a great job BETSY . . . :hug: . . . Keep it up, Chickie.

Betsy, good luck with your goals...and congrats on hitting under 200! :carrot:

Sori, welcome to 3FC! :celebrate:

HI Betsy - welcome! Sounds like you've found something that works for you! I'd love to hear your story - what's working, how you've done it, etc. Continued good luck!

Hi and welcome! You've already come so far, you're an inspiration.

:welcome3:

Wow, I'm impressed. How did you lose 30 pounds since January? I am a mother of 2 and trying to lose the baby and post baby weight. Any helpful tips would be appreciated. Keep it up! It really is easy to lose yourself and I recently wrestled with that whole issue and in fact it comes and goes. Especially once you have kids and you no longer have a name, you're just "so and so's mom."The year of you is a good thing...and a hard thing especially with kids so I give you extra props!

Thanks for the warm welcome!

my Story

I had been living the life of the busy mother for a long time. I was the queen of excuses. I was only getting heavier. I like to take care of other people but am pretty neglectful when it came to myself. I made a go last year in Jan when I got on a scale and saw I was at my highest weight ever. I had once told myself if I ever got over 200lbs, "I would just die!" and here I was over 250. So I started watching what I ate and posting on some message boards (that Is a big help, so being here is great!) and added exercise into my life. although I was pretty lax about the exercise. I was doing great and lost just shy of 30lbs then in about April, I hit the plateau. for weeks, nothing, and I sort of gave up. pretty soon school was out summer time and I had all my excuses back. I managed to keep most of the weight off over the summer and then I got back on a scale this fall. I had put back on 10+lbs. I was somewhat pleased about not gaining it all back, since I had been pretty care less with my eating, but still disgusted with myself at the thought I where I could have been if I'd stuck with it. I made another small attempt in October when the kids went back to school but manage to gain 5lbs for my troubles.

So in Jan of 2008 (tis the season for weight loss) I was once again thinking of a better healthier life and saw an add for a weight loss contest. Sponsored by Kmart. I figured I didn't have anything to lose (but weight) so I entered. All I had to do was weigh in every 2 weeks and maintain a 1lb a week loss. The rest was up to me. It was just the motivation I needed. And most of all accountability. To have to weigh in in front of a stranger was reason enough to stay on track. I cut WAY back on the diet soda, ate more fruits and veggies, watched my portions and started moving. all in baby steps. It started as 10-15 min on the bike or treadmill at a time. till I was doing 30-60min several times a week. The contest came to an end just this last Saturday. I ended up with a total contest loss of 31lbs. (we won't know the results till may2nd, winners are chosen, by %weight loss, before and after photos, and an essay we submitted). I am very happy with how far I have come, but am once again at a scary crossroads. The contest is over. I only have myself to be accountable to and this is where I have failed in the past. Now. I do feel different this time and hope this is the time I keep right on going and become the happier healthier person I know I can be. But there are still those demons. The doubts in my head. So I am here and still working on me. I still have a long was to go, but the one thing that has been working for me is the support i find online from people who have been there, or are there, or trying to get the heck out of there. ;-)

Thanks for letting me share.

~betsy :o

Betsy - Thanks for sharing with us :hug: We've all got our share of doubt demons :devil: I think you'll find that this is a very supportive, understanding and informative group! There are also areas where you can be accountable to everyone. (Kind of like weighing in front of a stranger... but a bunch of them! ;)) So glad to have you here.

welcome. im new as well... this site is great for keeping one motivated.. looking at others stories makes you not feel so alone:)