Feeling very insecure and unsure of myself...but here goes...I am a new member from Wisconsin. I really don't know how I got here , but here I am. I am 37 years old, homescool 2 teen sons, one graduating this year, married to Mike for 18 years. I began having a weight problem backin early high school. After I had my 2 boys I put some weight on, and have gained steadily over time. Now I am obese, and literally hate myself my image of myself is so bad. I last was to a doctor 3 years ago and weighed 323 pounds at that time, so I am guessing I must be close to 400 by now or at the least 370# which makes me want to just cry every time I think of it or pass a mirror. I am suffering some major depression and I *think* some perimenopause symptoms, and just can't take having my life controlled by my size anymore, I am miserable and feel broken down. Emotionally I mean. I cry almost every day. Health wise, I have not had any major issues yet, but I know it is only a matter of time as I am also a heavy smoker. I desperately need to change my life. My husband loves me, but I know the marriage wont survive if I don't take charge and do something. It can't, he no longer has respect for me nad I no longer have respect for myself. I feel like my whole life depends on this post in a way, as this is the first time I have ever sought out help with others. I am embarrassed beyond words, sad, and emotionally overwhelmed and was looking for people who may have some of the same troubles or similar so I can feel more encouraged and alive again. I am sorry about being so forward as to make all these admissions in my first post, as I said, I am very embarrassed, but I have lied to myself for so long, that I need to just be truthful and honest formost with myself and everyone else I meet from this point on, so I truly hope nobody thinks I have bad manners I am a christian lady and expect to lean heavily on God's strength to help me as well, but some friends won't hurt one bit!
I look forward to meeting and getting to know some of you, and I think it's wonderful that the Lord led me here.
Thanks for reading and letting me introduce myself~
I'm so glad you found this place. It has helped so many people who are looking for encouragment, motivation, friendship....everything.
I think it's wonderful that you decided to reach out to others for support. It can be very hard to do this alone and everyone here will make you feel right at home. I didn't think your post was showing any bad manners at all. This is a place you can talk about anything and get anything that's on your mind out in the open to help you start healing and working towards a better you.
There are so many wonderful thread here....I hope you browse around and find a good place that you feel good posting in. Everyone will welcome you with open arms.
Feel free to PM me anytime you would like to talk, you can talk about anything you want. I will "listen" and give you as much encouragement you need.
Welcome,I am so glad that you have found this site there are so many great people hereso brouse thru hopeing you will find the site that you will joinif you ever need to talk please e mail I am a good listiner and maybe you can motivate me!!!!!!!! have a great day Rita
I also am new here. I am a Christian woman who also has been overwight all of my adult life. I know exactly how you feel. You can do this. I just started but what I am realizing is that when they say it is one day at a time it is sooooo true. For me this time is different because I am thinking of my children. I have 2 girls and my little one came to me and said that her friend calls her her "fat friend". She is chubby but all I could think of is that I am passing on my bad eating habits to my girls. I don't want them to feel about themselves the way I feel about myself. Feel free to pm me. I am here to encourage and be encouraged. This is definately something that cannot be done alone. With God's help and the help of others I know that it is possible. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
I joined just the other day and I am having fun with this forum.
Taking control of ourselves cannot be done alone. God has given me the strength to do this now for 5 weeks. Yipeee. Just decided I wanted to change my lifestyle and not just temporarily...forever. You can do it...just don't forget to pray and be thankful no matter how you are feeling.
You can write me anytime...I used to not like myself and now I'm finding I'm ok...inside first...then outside. A huge hugs goes your way...
Welcome! All I can say is you came to the right place this site is incredibly supportive, I am sure you will find all the help and advice you could ever imagine, on every eating plan and exercise plan. You should definitely read through as many threads as you can (if you have time) and join one that fits you best. I belong to a thread called "april chicks" it is under the support category, we are up to #4 now, all of these ladie are amazing. Everyone is welcome, and nobody is critical or judgementa at all, it is PURE Support!
I just wanted to leave you guys with a thought I heard on this site somewhere...." No matter what you weigh now, there is someone out there who has that weight as their goal!"
I keep that thought in my head when I start to get too hard on myself.....good luck on your goals!
hi there,
this is definitely a great place for you to come to. i bet there's nothing you could feel or do that that someone here hasn't gone through so you will find endless support and motivation. peolple are here for you when you're up and when you are down .
do some research on the web to find a plan that works for you (pass on the miracle cures!), absolutely check with your doctor, come here for support and advice and motivation.
and say yes to yourself everyday when you wake up because being overwheight does not make your life, your dreams and your heart worth less than anybody elses.
I DID come to the right place ! My gosh, I am so motivated and thankful for all of your introductions and kind words! I really am, they mean a lot to me, and I will probably re-read them when I need to I can't wait to see my life change, and I know I can do it. When I feel hopeless I turn to food, but I am beginning to see so many other wonderful things to turn to instead. Thank you all so much, and I will remember all of you who offered to be PM'ed, I will probably take you up on it. My kind of people here !
You can lose weight. Do like Gatsby recommended, find a diet or rather eating plan that you can live with and not feel deprived. Set a date to start and buy the food that you need and keep it on hand. Don't buy the food that you can't turn down, for me that's chocolate chip cookies or donuts - not even for your family. They don't need them either. Don't feel like you're causing a burden on your family by buying your own mayo or margarine because you're doing this for your health. If you have your food at home, you're less likely to stop at a fast food place or eat something not on your diet.
I like weight watchers. I eat stuff now that I wouldn't have considered five months ago like Boca burgers, fat free cheese and mayo. I haven't been hungry or felt deprived, and have lost from 364 to 310 since Jan. 1. I eat kudos or sugar free jello with fat free cool whip when I want something sweet.
I feel so much better. I can walk with less pain. My face doesn't look swollen. My seat belt in my car isn't so tight. I feel so much better about myself that I don't intent to go back to eating the way I used to.
I think as mothers, we put everyone else first. We have to learn to take care of ourselves.
I totally agree with you slowlylosingit. By learning to take care of ourselves we are really taking better care of our children as well. Whenever I am tempted I think of my kids and it helps me make better decisions.
Hi all! I am popping in here just to let Skinnydreams and everyone else know that this really can be done. And that it has to start somewhere and you all have come to the right place to do it. I was where all of you are or have been. Two years ago this August I decided it was time to take charge of my life and have been on this amazing, challenging, yet rewarding journey ever since. I started at somewhere over 320 lbs. (my scale didn't register anything over that), and took me about 14 months to get to my goal weight of 150 lbs. and have I've lost about 10 more since then. I did this with daily exercise, portion control, and A LOT of water! Nothing drastic, no miracle cures, just good ole diet and exercise. But I can't really call this a diet because it isn’t. It doesn't end when you get to goal. This has to be something you can do and live with for the rest of your life. I know you've all heard it before but this truly has to be a lifestyle change or it simply will not last. It was hard for me to accept the fact that I will never have a healthy relationship with food. Even now, this is a daily struggle, but the struggle is so worth it. Through all the pain and setbacks, wanting to give up, and wondering why can't I just be normal, I kept trudging along, taking one day at a time. And all of the hard work has truly paid off, as it will for all of you too, I promise. With dedication, determination, support, and hard work you will succeed, as long as you never, ever give up on your goals. The time is now to start living your life to the fullest so please don't wake up a year from now wishing you had started today. Good luck everyone; you can do this!
You are an inspiration. It is such a help to know that others out there are going through the same thing. Did you count calories? What kind of exercise regime did you start? Congratulations on your determination and success. I only hope that one day I will have a similar success story.
WOW...you are an inspiration! I'm only down 12 lbs...but I too have decided that it is a lifestyle change. Tonight at our church picnic, I turned away brownies, cake, cake more cake and cookies...Whew!!! I will never have a healthy relationship with food either...it's almost all or nothing. SB diet (lifestyle change, 5 weeks now) has been an eye opener for me. It's as if I am outside of myself looking at my old behaviors. EEK! I was an emotional, mood, boredom, and habit type eating person.
Hey, I will be just 30 miles north (?) of Conway this month. I am from Michigan but we own 20 acres on Wye Mountain...yeah, I know...teeny weeny mountain...but Gary loves it down there and he wants to move there in 10 years or so. We are taking a week after my daughter's wedding and heading south for a bit. I am excited. I went through Conway 3 years ago and loved it there. Quite quaint.
Well...back to paying bills...later! Mary
Newbie here :)
, but here I am. I am 37 years old, homescool 2 teen sons, one graduating this year, married to Mike for 18 years. I began having a weight problem backin early high school. After I had my 2 boys I put some weight on, and have gained steadily over time. Now I am obese, and literally hate myself my image of myself is so bad. I last was to a doctor 3 years ago and weighed 323 pounds at that time, so I am guessing I must be close to 400 by now or at the least 370# which makes me want to just cry every time I think of it or pass a mirror. I am suffering some major depression and I *think* some perimenopause symptoms, and just can't take having my life controlled by my size anymore, I am miserable and feel broken down. Emotionally I mean. I cry almost every day. Health wise, I have not had any major issues yet, but I know it is only a matter of time as I am also a heavy smoker. I desperately need to change my life. My husband loves me, but I know the marriage wont survive if I don't take charge and do something. It can't, he no longer has respect for me nad I no longer have respect for myself. I feel like my whole life depends on this post in a way, as this is the first time I have ever sought out help with others. I am embarrassed beyond words, sad, and emotionally overwhelmed and was looking for people who may have some of the same troubles or similar so I can feel more encouraged and alive again. I am sorry about being so forward as to make all these admissions in my first post, as I said, I am very embarrassed, but I have lied to myself for so long, that I need to just be truthful and honest formost with myself and everyone else I meet from this point on, so I truly hope nobody thinks I have bad manners 
I am a christian lady and expect to lean heavily on God's strength to help me as well, but some friends won't hurt one bit!
.
to yourself everyday when you wake up because being overwheight does not make your life, your dreams and your heart worth less than anybody elses. 
:
I can't wait to see my life change, and I know I can do it. When I feel hopeless I turn to food, but I am beginning to see so many other wonderful things to turn to instead. Thank you all so much, and I will remember all of you who offered to be PM'ed, I will probably take you up on it. My kind of people here ! 
