Hello all. I'm a writer and so, duh, why has it taken me so long to turn to this forum for support? Dunno. But here I am, finally. I'm also going to start a blog to chronicle this journey. A successful journey, I hope, partly because of the support of this community!

I'm 44, and a single mom since 2001. Well, I should say that I was a single mom throughout my marriage, too, because it certainly felt that way.....

I lost 40 pounds over the course of 8 months, beginning October of 09. Interestingly, it was about the same 8 months that I was dating a wonderful man. A man who lifted weights. (He was ... mmm, mmmmmm.) Every other weekend, he'd pick me up in a bear hug, and tell me I was doing wonderfully.

Well, we broke up in the spring, because he didn't know what he wanted and couldn't commit. This was just as I was going through a cancer scare and had to have surgery, and my brother started his own, very real cancer journey. I became clinically depressed. Suicidal for a while, actually. The only thing that kept me hanging on until the antidepressant kicked in was the thought of how my death would devastate my two children.

My brother died in July.

I'm still here. And I gained back 5 pounds in the past three months. I just didn't have the emotional energy to keep up with the weight loss journey. Until now.

I have about 40 pounds to go. I know I can do this. I was doing it before, and it felt good. But I need the support of my fellow travellers.

Will you help me? I promise to return the favor.

Jeany in Ohio

Hi Jeany
to 3FC!
So sorry to hear about the loss of your brother.
Hugs and support on your weight loss journey
You don't have far to go and I am sure you can do it!

Judy

Joy! My first message. :-) Thank you.

I think it will take me a while to lose it all, but I hope to enjoy the process. I also have fibromyalgia -- all the more reason to be extra good to my body. But as I've struggled with emotional eating most of my life (it just caught up with me when I entered my 30s), I sure do appreciate the support!

Jeany,
It sounds like you have had quite a bit to deal with recently, I too am sorry for your loss! Congrats on joining this community, I just joined recently too and find it really fun and exciting to see all of the support!

I wish you the best of luck in your journey, stay positive and take it one day at a time (I have to take it one meal at a time )

Welcome and good luck!

Dhani

How to I get myself one of those tickers to track my progress?

Jeany - Whoa, you sound amazing!

I read you post and I know its been tough but I get the sense you are motivated and ready to go for it. Fantastic!

So whats you plan for cracking this?

Hi and welcome to 3FC.

To have a ticker in your signature, you need to be a member 20 days and have 20 posts.

Good luck with your goals.

Hugs
Michelle

I am glad that you got the help you needed. I am also sorry about the death of your brother. Like me, you have had some devestating life events occur this year. I am new on here also but I think this is a good way to get the support needed to reach your goal.

I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your brother, as well as the tough times you've been going through anyway, welcome! And best of luck reaching your goals!

How do I plan on cracking this? I'm going to concentrate on four things: lots of spring water, lots of fresh veggies, my whey protein shakes (one or two a day), and 35-45 minutes of walking 5 or 6 days a week. That's how I lost the first 40 pounds. This plan is pretty easy for me to follow. Usually. I know I'll have days when I'll go off, but I've found that I can have about one off day a week without losing my momentum, so I will try not to worry about that too much.

Thanks so much for the support I've already received on this intro thread. It really means a lot!

Welcome Jeany!

My condolences on the loss of your brother.

I'm new here as well. And I have also lost around 40 pounds with around 40 to go so we have that in common as well. Looking forward to seeing you around the forums!

Hi Jeany. Very sorry about the loss of your brother. I have fibromyalgia and am am new too. There is a "Newbie" challange that started today and goes through Nov.30. Very flexible. Just pick what you want to work on and post it. Check out the thread. My goal is to workout 20 times and lose 5 lbs. by then. Welcome. We will support you.

Hi and welcome Jeany! I am sorry for the loss of your brother and for the tough time you've been dealing with lately. The folks here are very supportive and helpful!

I joined the October newbie challenge! Thanks much for the invitation and I'm sorry, but over there I was mistaken and thanked the wrong person for inviting me -- actually it was you, deelee. But Staypuft, I just LOVE your icon!