[SnowboundChick]

I'm Donna, married mother of two boys, Kale 4 and Mickey 1. I've been overweight my whole life, except for high school, I was pretty fit playing volleyball but after high school I went down hill.

I never thought my weight was an issue really, I've always been healthy. I was probably 240 for the longest time. When I got pregnant the first time, I gained a lot of weight and got up to 316. After that birth via c-section, I had a 10lb baby. I stayed at around 260-70. THen I got pregnant again just a little under two years ago. I again went up to 314. Another c-section and an 11 pound baby later I'm been around 285 for the longest time.

With my first pregnancy I had preecympsia (sp?), higher blood pressure. More complcations near the end. With my second I was healthy for the most part but I was borderline gestational diabetic. I'm afraid of becoming diabetic.

I've just recently gone back to work after being home on maternity leave for a year. I hadn't worried too much about my weight. Then one day, after going for a hike with the boys and wearing the little one in a back pack two days prior, I thought I was having a heart attack. I had pain in my chest, that I didn't recognize. So I went to our emergency room and they check me out. Everything was fine. I guess I had pulled a muscle while carrying my baby.

This was my wake up call! I know it sounds silly but it was. I thought long and hard over the next two months, this was at the beginning of September. I have arthritis, cancer, diabetes and heart conditions among others on both side of my family. My dad who is also big, at the moment weighs less than I do but has battled cancer, diabete, gout, high blood pressure and recently has been put on a nitro glycerin patch. I has to go for a triple bypass surgery in January. So I knew I had to make a change to better my life and so I could keep up and be there for my boys.

I was roughly 284 since the birth of my last baby. At the beginning of November I started doing Pilates, i have a few differnt dvd's. At first they were hard but I wanted to start with these to build endurance and my flexibilty. They got easier, there are still some difficult parts but I haven't given up. Last week I just got my WATP dvd and have started that. I've been taking it slow. I've also had consultations with a dietician and a fitness trainer which was a plus since i live in such a small northern town. There is lots of snow and it's pretty cold where I live so it's harder to get outside. We have a small gym here but it's not a very friendly looking place and the fitness trainer gave me some exercises to do with my resistance band plus crunches, squats and lunges all of which also have gotten easier.

I was surprised that I'd come down from the 284 but haven't lost anymore since the beginning of December. I got a new scale for Christmas, this is what I asked for. I have noticed my shape coming back though, from the Pilates, I do feel stronger and more flexible.

I think this is the longest I've ever been able to maintain a routine and I guess now it's habit. I just have ot keep it up.

I am also working on changing my eating habits. I'm a pretty good cook, I don't use a lot of premade stuff or much fatty stuff. I use olive oil for cooking, becel if I have to use butter and switch to Splenda for baking and making substitutions such as applesauce for things. My problem is I overeat and I like comfort, rich foods. Chocolate is my enemy at this point. I could just eat and eat it and I need to stop. I'm also addicted to Pepsi but have so far cut back to one a day and plan on quiting cold turkey. I also smoke and have a plan in motion to quit this habit as well. This time I will be quiting for the last time. I have quit several times before.

I've made some changes in this area, not eating snacks after dinner and healthier eating but I find it hard to not go back to the old ways and will be doing lots of reading on this subject. I hate the fact that I need to learn all the stats on good/bad fats, count calories and all that but I hope it'll become easier and hopefully the food change will be what makes the difference in my weight change. Thanks for reading.

Forgot to mention I'm looking for a buddy too! I'll love to share stories, support and encouragement with someone or many.

[Fatwhisperer]

Donna, Read your post you sound soooo much like me. I two have two children Hunter age 4 and Jada age 2. Both were c-section. I hate that they cut through the stomach muscles. It is very hard to get them back. I was looking great in High school and then I went from two jobs down to one desk job. I have no idea that you could gain soooo much sooo fast. So I have been back and forth. I am now about 206. I would love to be about 130-140. I have started a small diet. I no longer eat after 6:00pm. And I am a total diet coke person but I haven't had any in two days. Let me tell you I am going through withdrawl!!! I am drinking water. My family has started "the biggest loser" family addition. So we have to lose at least 5 pounds a month or pay $5.00. who ever loses the most gets all the money. So that is one incentive for me.
I little background on me. I am 30 married, two children, and I am an animal lover. I do animal rescue and I currently have 5 dogs, two are looking for new homes, 3 cats, fish, a lizard and various outdoor cats that know I am an easy meal. One of my dogs is a Newfoundland he is Huge he needs lots of exercise so he is my motivation to get out and walk if I can. I live in the thumb of michigan and I can't stand the cold so it is hard for me to get outside and walk. But I am trying. If you would like to have me as a buddy then please e-mail me at [email protected].