[Michelle181614]

Hello My name is Michelle and I am a 42 year old visually impaired stay at home mom with 3 kids ages 18,16,14. i have been married 24 years.
I need to lose about 100 pounds and need alot of help. thinking about doing WW. But don't have the funds and can not get to meetings.
Michelle

[bbigham]

Hi, Michelle! I'm a newbie here too and I unofficially "welcome" you! I used to do WW and got great results -- until I stopped going to the meetings. I realized that the key to the success in that program was the support I received from being around others who were on the same path. We shared our problems and successes and encouraged each other.

From what I can tell so far, that's exactly what we can find here as well (and we dont have to pay the $10 a week!) But I find that I need to make as much a committment to coming here as I did to going to my WW meetings.

It sounds to me that you've accomplished a lot so far in your life -- overcoming a visual impairment and still raising three children. Not to mention staying married for nearly quarter of a century. WOW. If you can do all that, you can DEFINITELY lose the weight you want.

I look forward to reading your messages as you drop those extra pounds. It should be very encouraging to read of your success.

Barbara, in Oregon

[joys5]

Hi there Michelle, good to see you on here!
I'm new here myself, just joined this last week. Hopefully we can find all the support that we need!
My first plan of attack is to get more active.
I set a goal of walking 15 miles per week. (I have a gov. website to help with this and it's free, don't know if I'm aloud to post it?)
and also doing the 100 push-up challenge (that website I found on here) I'm having my youngest daughter and son do the push-up challenge with me. Yes!..misery loves company!!
I don't think that there is one program that is right for everyone. You need to get the one that works for you.
Make yourself a priority. You can do it. Good luck!

[leeway]

Hi Michelle!
You must have your hands full with all those teenagers! - sounds like you're ready to get going with a good plan - the support you need is here - we'll all be here to cheer you on.

Glad to have you join us! There are lots & lots of different groups and forums - I'm sure you'll find some that will keep you motivated and inspired. Try the 40 somethings, the 100 lb club and the weight loss support forums, they're active and very helpful - also the Success stories are a definite must for motivation. Check out the Weight Watchers forum too - there are lots of folks doing it and not going to meetings - they can offer support as well as advice.

There are bunches of people here with more to lose and some with less - the bottom line is that we all have to do it a day at a time. The good thing is that we'll have lots of company along the way.

I've only been here since last fall, having NEVER been part of an online forum. What has been so eye-opening is how much it has helped me. Whenever I feel overwhelmed or defeated, I just log on and read some of the success stories, complete with their before & after photos - or read about others still dealing day to day with their challenges - and before I know it, the time has flown by and so have all the thoughts of going off track or giving up. It has made all the difference in my success so far.

So welcome - you've found the right place - join in by inspiring us and being inspired!

All the best - good luck with your goals,
Lee

[Deena52]

Hi Michelle and welcome.

You absolutely do NOT need to spend money to join a weight-loss plan. I mean, it's great if you can easily afford it but absolutely not necessary. There are multiple forums and threads here that can tell you all you want to know about various diets.....and in addition, many, many members there who are actually doing that particular plan and can give you all the advice and support you'd get at the WW meetings.....for free! In fact, I think that getting advice from those actually doing it in real time is even better. It's also great for trouble-shooting because having so many different individuals here makes it likely that they'll know all the various quirky problems certain individuals can run into on that particular plan.

At the WW meetings, one of the huge motivators is that you have to get weighed there. But by having a signature ticker and documenting your weights progressively here basically provides the same thing and keeps you just as accountable. It certainly has for me.

Please do not for one minute think you have to pay to lose weight. You can get everything you need here. You just have to keep coming back, reading and posting.

The other huge advantage of this message board is that it's available 24/7, unlike regular meetings. And there is always someone here, no matter what time it is. Many from the UK and Europe will come on and post at night when it's day over there....not to mention early risers like myself.

deena