Hi, My name is Natalie. I'm new to the website. I've been eating better and working out since about mid Feb. I've lost 15lbs so far and have another 105 to go. I need support. None of my friends are over weight so they don't know what its like. I have three toddlers, one is on dialyisis 4 days a week and in post chemo remission. We spend a lot of time at the hospital, a LOT and sometimes the stress of it all gets the best of me. I'm looking to make new friends fighting to get healthy like I am. I'm really happy that I found this website.

WELCOME....and sending you big hugs. Your plate is very full and I will keep you and your family in my prayers. I started at above 284 (I wasn't brave enough to step on the scale before then....I was likely close to 300). I went from a 24W to a regular 12-14 now. I'm still on my journey but wanted to tell you IT CAN BE DONE.... I am also the mom of 3 (10, 6 and 4) one of whom was born with a birth injury. Trust me, IT CAN BE DONE.

Take one day at a time, one meal at a time. You have a lot of challenges. Make sensible changes that you can live with. I started calorie counting and with mild exercise. It's been 13 months but the changes are happening. Cheering US on to goal...

Thanks so much. My plate is full but I dont want my kids to grow up and see unhealthy life styles, esspessially my Marshall (the one with the health issues). I want them to be healthy and fit.
I started calorie counting in Feb when I started this all and it helps me a lot. I also read an amazing book that really inspired me and helped me get jump started. Congratulations on being a 12-14. I cannot wait to be back there and beyond that point. I think a 14 is the smallest I've been since I was in like the 8th grade. Really appreciate your response.

You do have a lot of stress! I'm sending good thoughts your way and praying things get better for your son.

It looks like we are at about the same starting point so it would be awesome to chat throughout this whole process! I'm 5'7" too and currently 258. Congrats on your 15 lbs loss! I haven't quite made it there, but I'm sticking to the journey. I agree with free1 though. Its definitely about one day at a time. I have a hard time getting ahead of myself and wanting to lose weight so quickly and get to goal. But, with all things in life, its the journey that matters, because that's where I am NOW.

Hi Natalie!

Ask and the door shall be opened.

My best friend has a similar situation. As she is struggling to keep her son in remission, she has found she has gained weight she is finding impossible to lose. I'm really excited to find this place as I myself have many questions that I find awkward to ask other people. At what point in your weight loss do you buy new underwear?

I've found several of my friends are getting tired of hearing about the gym, calories, how clothes don't fit, etc. It's hard not to want to share the excitement with someone else though.

You sound like a very brave and strong soul Natalie.

JJ0293 thoughts and prayers are always a blessing thank you. It would be great to have a buddy to go through this with. All of my friends are tiny lol so they can't do this with me and my sister in law just makes excuses all day, i cant count on her to stick with me.
RandomPaige, They seem to get tired of hearing about mine on my end too, but i say oh well. You know you're doing whats best for you. I wish all the best for your friend and her family. Its a hard fight and a terrible feeling when you cant make you child better.
I know you buy new underwear when ever you can fit into the cute/sexy stuff they sell at the department stores, or at least thats what I plan on doing lol. I want to know what what point do my boobs go back to normal...
Thanks for your responses ladies! So glad I joined this site.

So by the way I DO see that I spelled advice wrong in my title... AWESOME first impression that I made lol

that's it Natalie, you'll be escorted out of the forum by Security.

Natalie, what are "normal" boobs? Having never been extraordinarily blessed in that department, I'm afraid that with losing weight, my boobs will deflate. My aunt's already asking me about it. Thankfully I still have a few of Cacique's older style plunge bras that have the plastic air-cutlet inserts to help even me out, as I find with losing weight, it makes (in my opinion) the slight cup difference more obvious on me.

I will say I'm downright ecstatic that my bras don't dig the way they used to. At one point, I had to run into the bathroom at work and layer a few squares of TP to place between my bra and me to keep it from rubbing my skin raw.

Oh the things we do...

by normal boobs I meant (for me) not having water melons anymore and them going back to being perky lol. My bras don't dig but it would be sooo nice to be able to just buy a bra at target and just buy clothes at target and not have to go to layne bryant or somewhere similar. I'd love to go back to a 36C. I would love to never have my thighs chafe again. Its so nice to be able to say that and know that i'm not the only person who has that lol.

Congrats on losing 15 pounds! I started in March and I have lost 15 pounds, but I have plateaued in the last few weeks, adjusting to moving back home from college. I never realized how much harder it would be to stay on track once moving back home, but it has been difficult. I'm getting back on track now, though! I'm sorry to hear about your child's health problems, I don't have any children, but I'm sure you getting healthy is the best thing for them and yourself! I'm new here too, but so far I have found that it's a really supportive place!

Thank you Rockwela. I plateaued after my 15 lbs, but I'm lucky enough to have easy access to a dietician because of my son. She was telling me that sometimes you have to up your calorie intake a little bit for a few days and then go back down to get out of your plateau. Maybe that will help a little. Moving back home would be stressful and if your family is like mine they will be cooking you all kinds of things constantly. Good luck!