[MasterOfOne]

When I look back on the last several years of my life, it is a mish mosh of changes. I went from being a 30-something married stay-at-home mom working a part-time retail job while the kids were in school to a 40-something career-minded single mom. My two daughters (17 & 12) are growing up much faster than I want them to. And I don't like being a grown up either. I miss being a stay-at-home mom where I felt I had more time to focus on me.

Working a stressful full-time job keeps me from being motivated to exercise or eat healthy. My brain and body are fizzled by the time I get home. I stumble through the weekdays and trip into the weekends exhausted.

I am so tired of this cycle.

My main problem is I know everything. I'm the worst kind. I worked in the weight loss industry for a few years and I have been on the yo-yo wagon my entire life, so of course that makes me a nutrition expert, right? There is nothing new or exciting about dieting to me and I struggle daily to find my motivation. That smaller size! That healthy fit feeling! Wowing my coworkers and my boyfriend! Feeling good about myself! Ugh. It just doesn't get my weight loss motor running anymore and I don't know what will.

So, I recognize more than ever that I need a place to go for support. I need people who will help keep me in line so that I can't lie to myself anymore...that I can eat this little extra or I can skip that day of exercise. Because the scale and my tight-fitting clothes are all too honest.

The truth is I am like a fat house cat. I will eat until my bowl is empty and then I'll walk ten steps to the nearest comfy spot to nap. I need to make some changes...so...Hi, my name is Amy.

[TheSatinPumpkin]

Welcome to the forum and good luck on your journey.

[Paulitens]

The "know it alls" are the worst. I knew all that I had to do to lose weight for the longest time, yet I had never been able to keep on a diet (or just having a healthy lifestyle) for more than 2 weeks. Knowledge doesn't equal motivation and will power to succeed. I hope you can find it.

[RVAscreenwriter]

You can do it! You just need to soul search a bit to find your motivation. If something within you is telling you that you need to lose weight, perhaps you should spend a little time each day (in the shower - whatever quiet time you have by yourself) to meditate on what it is you truly want. Once you pin that down, you'll become unstoppable.

I know... easier said than done. However, there are a lot of people who found motivation on here and have followed through whom you can use as peer resources.

Good luck!