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
introducing me!
. . . Keep it up, Chickie.
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.
