Hello, everyone,

I recently discovered this helpful website via a random Google search and, well, here I am!

As the title mentions, I am writing from Argentina (Buenos Aires), though I am originally from Ohio in the U.S.A. I am a full time teacher with additional part-time work to make ends meet, and have an energetic 2 year old son. I can't help but feel that there aren't enough hours in the day!

I have had various doctors telling me for a few years now that I have to get my weight under control. Accomplishing this was perpetually on my "to-do" list. However, my most recent blood analysis results show that I am bordering on being diabetic (Yikes! )

I currently weigh about 105 kilos (230 lbs) and am only 155cm/5'1" tall. Just getting started and taking the first few steps by this point is daunting, especially when I think of how far I have to go to get to a healthy weight again. I feel overwhelmed, because I already come home exhausted after pulling 11+ hour days working, and feel that I don't spend enough time as it is with my child. I often feel like I'm never "getting it all done."

I have had many, many false starts regarding weight loss and sometimes genuinely wonder if I am too far gone by this point...

... but the thought of developing serious health complications understandably scares me. I want to be a positive role model for my son and a wife to my husband.

Anyways, thank you for reading, and any words of encouragement and wisdom are greatly appreciated!

Welcome to the site! It sounds like you're very busy! However, it is still possible to lose weight through all that (though it's an added challenge), which is the good news!

You are not too far gone. You're never too far gone to make healthy changes. You can definitely do this. It'll take work, but it sounds like you're no stranger to getting things done.

Are you focused mainly on losing weight, or do you also want to switch your family's diet to one of healthier foods? Your goals here will help you figure out what you want/need to do.

Personally, I calorie count. I can eat anything I want so long as the calories fit into my day. That being said, I focus on healthier, lower calorie, higher volume foods to not feel hungry.

Do you guys cook at home? If so, there are a lot of easy, healthy recipes online. One pot meals, crock pot meals, and other quick methods are very helpful.

Do you have a specific plan you're going to follow?

There's also a pre-diabetes/diabetes chat thread around here. You might be able to get information from that group, too. It's in the Diabetes Support section. Here's the link for the chat thread if you want to check it out: http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/diab...t-support.html