Hello everyone! My name is Shelly and I have been struggling with my weight since I was 8 or 9. I use to blame it on my mother's wonderful cooking! My mother has been 5'2" 125lbs her whole life and my dad is 5'9" around 180lbs. My parents weren't bigger so how I began my weight issues really derives from my love for food and my inability to replace boredom with something other than a sandwich! I was usually pretty active in my life due to my mother seeing my problem with food and trying to keep me active. I was always a little chubby but my sports activities kept me healthy and in control. I was the captain of my jr high and highschool basketball team, was second in city for track, and coached elementary kids for their intramural basketball clubs.

My weight really got ahold of me when I turned 17. I got a car and stopped walking everywhere. With freedom came laziness! A year later I became pregnant, then engaged. I had gained about 25 lbs at this time. I was generally around 160-170. One miscarriage, a heartbreaking break up, and numerous health diagnoses later....I had gained close to 45 more lbs. I think it took me a long time to accept what had happened to me and now I am finally able to take ahold of my life again and get my waist back! One bad decision after another has gotten me to around 280lbs-and depressed.


Well, I hope I haven't bored anyone to tears! I am looking for community support. I have many friends but none of them have weight issues and although they support my goals to get back to my healthy weight, they can't really relate to me. I need that support and I want to give it out as well!

Hi Shelly. My name is Am. I'm new too. I'm in the same boat as you when it comes to support. I have great friends who are very supportive, but they don't have weight issues. I would be happy to be here and support you in your goals!

Totally. What are your goals so far and how are you going to go about it? I created a blog for 3fatchicks so if you want to read my full story or figure me out-or whatever.

Tell me about you.

I've been overweight most of my life. A couple of years ago, I had some success with going to the gym. I really enjoyed it, but for some reason, I just stopped going. I'm really disappointed that I wasn't able to stick with it. For the first time in my life, I could run a mile, non-stop. I found out today that I can't even run a football field length without slowing to a walk. And even though I didn't lose much weight while I was going, I was the healthiest I had ever been. I had energy to do stuff. I was...dare I say...happy.

I am turning 30 this July and have planned a 2 day hiking trip in celebration. My best friend and her husband have already planned to carry part of my 60 lbs. of gear, so that I don't slow them down. This isn't something I have asked them to do. My short term goal is to be able to go on that hike, carry all of my own gear, while not slowing them down. I have until the middle of July to do that.

This is day one for me. I've been very careful about what and how much I have eaten today, though when it comes down to when to eat, I fail miserably. Breakfast is usually a half of a pot of coffee. Lunch is non existent. I eat when I'm board. When I cook dinner, I tend to cook foods that are good for me, but I also live in the deep South, if it's bad for you, we cook plenty of it.

I don't go to the gym anymore, but I am active though. I usually do solo hikes at least once a week, usually more. I try to get out into my woods a couple times a week and drag small trees down to chop so I can have fires in my pit. It isn't high dollar equipment, but my arms are toning up nicely. Whatever works right?

I started trying to run again today. It ended up being sprints, but whatever gets the heart rate up. And I started Tae Bo today as well. I forced myself through 2 grueling hours total.

My overall goal is just to get healthy. I'm tired of being the one everyone has to slow down and wait on. I'm tired of being the fat friend.

Oh my goodness. We have similar stories and goals. One of my dear friends is getting married and I am one of the bride's maids. The wedding is in April of 2011. I am hoping to be at least a size 12 by then. I really do not want to be seen as the sausage up there next to her size 2 butt! haha

I was a track star in my good days and like you, can't run the length of a football field now to save my life. I went hiking with some friends of mine not too long ago and they had to carry a good portion of my stuff because it was slowing me down. I feel you there. It's humiliating and really kicks you right in the stomach with a dose of reality.
I'm tired of gasping for air and having to take a break every few minutes so that I can actually breathe. I want my life back. I think we totally have the abilities to reach our goals.

My goal at this point is to just put it out of my mind that I can't do it and just do it...!! Thank you for sharing your story with me. We got this girl!

Totally. I cannot wait to see the results of our dedication to this! We can do this!

Best of luck ladies! The biggest hurdle is keeping at it. My friends often tell me I am obsessed with exercise and healthy eating and it is absolutely true because if I wasn't I would just slide back to where I was...so get obsessed - make it a healthy addiction!

Welcome to 3FC and good luck with all of your goals fellow arizonian

Shelly, Am - You both CAN do this. See my intro elsewhere in this forum to see how I lost 34 lbs. in a relatively short period of time once I applied myself. Good luck!

- D

Once we apply ourselves, we can do anything! Good luck to you with your goals! I totally can relate to your story. In hard times, the weight just creeps on us.

Kristen-

Not quite sure what all you said but thanks and I hope you do find support here!