Elle - Welcome! You are in the right place.

I joined about a week ago and I'm still learning my way around. As someone else suggested, just jump in wherever you feel comfortable.

And don't be so hard on yourself - you have lost weight already, so acknowledge that!

Pick a plan that fits your lifestyle. I know how hard it is with a young family. They are your priority, and sometimes it's just easy to let yourself be last. But you have to make your health a priority too.

There will be people here to support you every step of the way.

As far as accountability, use one of the great online trackers available. I know many people here use FitDay.com. I like MyFoodDiary.com, even though it is not free.

And be sure to read the success stories, as they will inspire you. You will realize that you can do this.

Welcome aboard!

ElleJay:

Your initial post sounded like I wrote it! You weigh less than me though. I've been a member here at 3FC's since 1999. I lost a ton of weight with the help of Buddies here on the forums. I got down to 160# and looked great. Unfortunately...I gained the weight back & then some. A big part of me gaining the weight back is because I got comfortable with the weight I was at. Once I reached 160# I thought I could do things on my own and not gain the weight back. WRONG! This website is definitely the place to be and I'm going to keep myself accountable this time. I just started posting again with a group that started a new thread. We are still at the introduction link. I think we have enough people to move over to our own section now. I will post over there later and make the suggestion to everyone. The best way to keep track of an individual is to click on the members name to the left of their post. This will take you to their profile.
So, just click on my underlined name if you want to join me and the others.
We can do this one step at a time!

ElleJay, this is exactly how I felt in early January when I started here. Exactly. I was tired, upset, sad, depressed, huffing and puffing when I would go upstairs. I hated the way my figure looked so matronly and soft and flabby. My jeans were literally busting at the seams and I felt so.....defeated.

I went on the internet to find some inspirational "before and after" pictures and found 3FC. Thank goodness! I have lost weight before (30 pounds) but didn't keep it off because I didn't know that maintenance was as important as the losing phase. That's just one of the many things I've learned from these chicks.

Once I found 3FC, I started small. I started by cutting out snacky junk and not going out to lunch. Once I got that under control, I started exercising (I bought an elliptical machine since it was still in the dead of winter). Then I started cutting back on diet soda and beer. Step by step, the pounds started coming off and my mood lifted.

It was discouraging at first because I lost 10 pounds and nobody noticed. I couldn't even tell that my clothes were fitting differently. But the next month I lost 5. Still hard to tell. But 10 pounds becomes 20, becomes 30, becomes 40 and that really makes a difference. So my advice is to be patient. Stay on plan as best as you can; you are looking for progress, not perfection. Make each decision count, but if you make an unwise decision, MOVE ON.

Did you know that we have a forum called Chicks in Control? Check it out; you will get some good advice on how to handle the binges that you're currently experiencing. Some chicks there will have recommendations for reading materials and strategies that will help you with that behavior.

You can do this. We are here to help you. Oh, and read the Goals section and look at the pictures. So inspirational!

Hello, ElleJay, and welcome to the forums. This is a great community and, as you've already seen, an excellent source of inspiration, motivation, and support. I wish you success in reaching your goals.

Welcome, ElleJay! You came to the right place. This is the place where you get to whine and you don't have to apologize for it! People get it.

I'm a librarian, so here's a book suggestion: The End of Overeating by David Kessler. It was really eye-opening about the environment that we live in and convinced me that I have to change my environment if I want to have a healthy lifestyle. For me, it was rules like "no eating in the car." For others, it might be not allowing certain trigger foods to be in the house.

ElleJay,

I know exactly how you feel with the clothes and feeling so disgusting. I want to tell you a tiny bit of my story b/c I see where you have kids..... and that is where my WL journey started this time.

My 15 year old son bet me last October that I could not lose 65 pounds by May. I was getting married in May, so that was the reason for the time in May (I have been divorced from his dad for 10+ years)-- but he lost his 39 year old dad almost 2 years ago to a massive heart attack.... he was overweight and did not take care of himself at all. When I was taunting my son about him losing the bet, that is when the truth came out-- (grab a box of kleenex--- it tugs at a mother's heart strings). He told me if it took every penny of his allowance to get me at a healthy weight he was willing to do that b/c he lost his dad and did not want to lose his only other parent. At that moment, I had to pull over b/c I was crying. How could I have let me eating what I want in HUGE portions become my life and how unfair was it for me to make him worry about my health? So, I have lost the majority of my weight...... and still have some more to lose..... but I am much healthier and a much better parent. I am not saying a "big" parent is not a good one but I can do much more now..... My son and I go to a bootcamp together now and that is priceless.

BTW, my diet was much like yours now.......

Welcome, Elle. Glad you are joining us! As others have said, you have come to the right place.

I wish you the best on your weight loss journey.

Cheers,

J

Hey Elle,

If you can, try and take comfort that you are not the first person to experience gaining weight and feeling gross about it. And if other people have found a way out than you can too. Overeating and/or being overweight isn't being a bad or worthless person - it just means you have some habits you'd like to change. I always equate my weight with my self-worth so I know it's hard to get out of that mindset but remember you've already accomplished a few things - you came on here for help, you've realize you want to change, etc.

As for being overwhelmed and not knowing where to start, I can share what worked for me. I started by making some very small changes (like cutting out just one food item I knew was unhealthy or taking a 10 minute walk a few times a week) and I built from there. Soon, all those small changes added up to big changes.

Hang in there!

Elle:

Boy can I sympathize with you. I was there and then some! My job allows me to sit home, in front of the computer, in my pajamas, day in and day out. No exercise, no reminder that clothes are getting smaller.

I lost 80 lbs a few years ago - in 8 months, and I loved doing it (yep!)

I had a "trigger" that got me motivated. Unfortunatlely, I had another trigger a year later and gained back 90.

Then, yes, another trigger in July of this year, and I'm back at it again.

I've lost 26 lbs in 10 weeks. I'm loving it!! Its a mind-set and a determination. I will PROMISE you that the sense of accomplishment is as worthwhile as the appreciative stares from members of the opposite sex.

I don't follow any special diet other than my own - based on healthy food and small portions. I will also tell you that I eat out 6 out of 7 nights a week (and did so when I lost weight the first time too!)

If anyone wants some "dining out" ideas, just let me know!

Together, we will ALL do this - its not easy, but if it was, it would be called "Football", not dieting.

Yes! My kids are 2 1/2 and 8 months. I had postpartum depression with both of them...worse with the last one. I'm just now feeling like myself again...like I'm on the last little bit of an uphill struggle. I think that's why I'm able to get on here and feel like I stand a chance. Does that make sense? How long did your ppd last?

Hello! Nope, I have no idea what approach to take. I just posted in a previous reply that I think the first step for me is to cut out a lot of processed/junk food. I am currently eating NO fresh fruits & veggies. The good thing is that I love them! I've just been too down and out to keep them on hand. Depression stinks!

I'll be happy to change my S/C/G and I'm thinking it's going to feel really good. Thanks!

Hey, no fair making me cry! Really though, I am sooo happy you shared that. Reading this was one of those powerful moments when all joking, whining, crabbing & complaining stops and reality hits you like a ton of bricks. Thank you so much for helping put this in perspective. I'm so happy you gave your son such a wonderful gift. God bless you!

Still crying...

Thanks for the welcome and the reading suggestion. I'll check it out this week. I'm just on the other side of the river from you by the way!

Defeated is the PERFECT word for this. Perfect.

I this this weight loss will be fast for me too once I get going. I realize the final bit will be a challenge but I know my body DOES NOT WANT TO BE THIS WAY! This fat isn't stubborn, it's just waiting for me to take control and send it on it's way!

Thanks so much for your tips & tricks. I'm feeling more energized as I read all these replies. Wow am I grateful for this forum.