Hello! This is the first time that I have sought support from a weight loss forum, but I have been battling weight problems all of my life! I have managed a few successes in my lifetime, but usually manage to remain severely overweight and very frustrated.

I'm ashamed to admit that I've found myself at the end of a couple of truly stressful years back in the position of needing to lose at least 100 lbs. I have tried so many diets and programs in the past with mixed results. However I know that the only thing that will help me begin to see positive results is if I'm able to convince myself that I can actually manage to accomplish this goal.

The problem has been that the past few years were so fraught with stress and pain for me that I can't seem to get in the right mental state! My father lost a long and awful battle with cancer last year and died a few months before the eye of Hurricane Katrina passed over my town and brought with it more destruction and change than I even care to realize at times. Sometimes I just feel overwhelmed with the tasks that lie before me.

I'm feeling rather low on strength, will power and determination. I am hoping that I can borrow some from new friends that truly understand what it is to at times know what they need to do but find it hard to garner up the strength and courage to get the job done. Please let me know that I'm not the only one that feels this way?

Barb

Welcome, Barb. While I did not go through the natural disasters like you did, I did have a couple years of spiraling out of control, yet thinking I was in control the whole time. I had put on some weight (additional weight, I've been heavy for 15 years), then broke my ankle ...Oops! now I get to sit on my bum for 3 months, Dad got sick and recovered, then Dad got sick and passed. 3-4 years of feeding stress and bad eating habits packed on the pounds. It's good that you've come here! I'm sure right now you don't feel like doing anything! The more you eat, the more you weigh, the LESS you feel like doing, with energy and motivation at a minimum.

My first bit of advice for you is water. Water, water, water! Sounds simple, but until I began this journey I had no idea that NOT drinking enough water greatly added to the fatigue! Start drinking at least 6-8 glasses a day and you will find yourself with more energy, and with more energy comes more movement/exercise. That will speed up weight loss and now the ball is in motion! Once the ball is rolling, you'll start feeling better and want to help it to continue rolling! Then, game on!

You also need to surf around the site and see what plan/life changes will work for you with your family. It has to be something compatible in both areas so you don't get discouraged.....fixing two separate meals is no fun!

OK, so I'm rambling....this is what happens early in the morning! hehehe.....good luck, Barb, and keep us posted!

You just made me think of something, reading your post. What would Dumbledore say? Seriously...you have faced a lot of situations and the fact that you're here means you're ready to move on. I happen to love the Harry Potter books and am counting the days til 07-07-07 (THERE'S an awesome goal date for you!) and I believe that there are lessons we can all learn from Harry. Finding your inner strength, knowing when to trust others, accepting the negatives and putting them behind you, the value of patience...I think I'm going to reread the books now that I'm thinking about it!
Remember...JK Rowling wrote those books a page at a time (by hand). We lose weight a pound at a time. That's all anyone can hope for

*I hope this all wasn't too cheesy but you struck a chord with me*

Hi,
Like you I have had a stressful year, I'm overweight, unhealthy, feeling terrible about myself , new to this forum and LOVE HARRY POTTER.

We all could take a page and inspiration from Harry. He had a terrible start to life and a truely awful upbringing but has found strength, courage, understanding and love. We all need to find our inner-strength and build on that.

I am counting the days till 7/13/07 (release of movie 5) and hoping that the rumors for book 7 are true (7/07/07).

Remember to be good to yourself, even when your having a bad day. Remember that even a setback can be a good thing because you can learn from it. Also, remember you are loved!

Thanks so much for your encouragement, support and advice! It is very much needed and appreciated!

Kelly, your reminder about water was very needed. I used to be in the habit of drinking lots of water, but I have fallen out of the habit in previous months. This morning I pulled out my water bottle and have determined to carry it about with me continually as I try to reinstate this good habit!

I didn't think that you were cheesy at all, OnePerDecade! I think that your reminder that Jo Rowling has handwritten one page at a time and I need to concentrate on one pound at a time is of key importance to me! That's something that I can really relate to and will be sharing with my Potter Pals on the website.

As far as what would Dumbledore say... well, that's a good thought as well! Dumbledore wouldn't be judgemental in the least. However, he'd expect that I'd draw on my inner "Gryffindor Courage" in order to "do what is right and not what is easy". Very appropriate. Thank you!

leggstlb, it does seem as if we have a lot of things in common! This is truly what I need, to know that there are others in my situation who are trying to find a way towards health and improvement.

{Off topic, but I truly believe that we'll be seeing a 7/07/07 release on book 7, by the way!}

Thank you all for helping me to feel welcome and for relating to me in a way that I can truly understand and appreciate. I appreciate it very much!

Barb

Hi! I'm a Potter-fan myself. I'm so sorry you've had to go through all that stuff. When you need someone you can just send me a message.

Thank you collegegirl!

Phoenix Song, I'm another huge Harry Potter fan and just wanted to welcome you to 3 Fat Chicks. It sounds like a very stressful year for you. I wish I could bottle up some strength, will power and determination and send it your way. But, as you say, Dumbledore would expect you to draw on your own inner courage, and I'm sure you will do it.

Oneperdecade, I do so want to read the books again, and I want to take notes on all of the loose ends that I've forgotten about in order to prepare for the next book. But the books keep me so enthralled that I don't want to put them down long enough to take the notes.

jtammy, I totally understand how you feel about the notes thing. Luckily, my son & daughter have read all the books too so we can debate & discuss and it's like having 2 notetakers
I am banking on 07-07-07 btw. My son is being deployed to Iraq and I have promised him that his copy will be in the mail at about 12:30am that day

Wow! I'm so glad to read that so many of you are HP fans! I just love the books and everything about them. My website is devoted to discussing the books and predicting how Jo Rowling will tie up all of the loose ends of the series. It's like having a few dozen note takers!!!

Recently we made a really exciting discovery that we think ties up 5 important questions that JKR has put forth to us:

l. Why is it that Dumbledore really trusted Snape?
2. Was Snape working for the Order of the Phoenix or for the Death Eaters when he acted at the end of book 6. (Don't want to spoil it for those that haven't read it yet!)
3. Who is the married couple that Dumbledore has hidden on staff in Hogwarts but kept their marriage a secret?
4. Who's death did Dumbledore fake in order to keep them safe from Lord Voldemort?
5. And what was the CRUCIAL reason that Dumbledore had James Potter's cloak at the time of his death.

We're really excited about the things that we've looked into and discovered. I can't wait until we have book 7 so that we can prove ourselves right!

Anyway.... knowing that there are others that love the books and that are fighting their weight really makes me feel very comfortable and pleased to be here. Thank you all for your support and encouragement.

I'm pleased to admit that last night is the first time in a long time that I didn't succumb to the temptation of a bunch of high-calorie midnight snacks. That's a big step for me, since it's my biggest problem. I kept this forum in mind and knew that I could come here to vent if I needed to do so. It really helped me out a lot to recognize that I wasn't alone.

OnePerDecade, I'm sorry to hear that your son is being deployed to Iraq. I'll keep him in mind and pray that he returns safe and sound! Is he a Marine? (My father was and loved it so!)

Thank you all so much!

Barb

I am a little late in posting, but I wanted to say hello. I also LOVE Harry Potter and am looking forward to the new book. I definitely want to reread them over the next few months - it's been awhile.
Oh and welcome to 3FC! I am also really new to this. I agree with the water drinking tip - I hate to drink water but I force myself to do it. It really makes a difference.
Feel free to message me at any time - I am doing weight watchers at the moment but I have followed South Beach in the past as well.
Good luck!

water water everywhere and not a drop to drink!
LOL!
I also would like to welcome phoenix song... babe... you've had some seriously rough times....and although it's easier said than done, you have got to get a move on.
The fact that you're here is amazing already...I mean...first your dad, then Katrina...lordy gurl - you should pat yourself on the back for just being here!

I find it very very hard to drink water. Really. i just don't like the taste(??) of it... i try and drink as much as I can but I have a lot of tea .... thats liquid and I know its not good enough.... but it's a start.
I've restarted South beach....and on Day 3, i'm 4.5lbs down! SO stick with it gurl...
here's hoping to enter 2007....leaner and fitter!

Hi Barb! Yes, my son is a Marine. As a matter of fact, he called today to say he's going next week. That call was worth a Skinny cow ice cream sandwich *tee hee* but I am still on plan & on track for the day so I am not beating myself up over it. What kept me from a full blown binge was thinking "Gain all the weight you want - he's still shipping out."

I love the Potter questions too!

Thanks for the welcomes! I'm so pleased to find that you're a friendly and good natured bunch that welcomes newbies!

I'm so sorry that your son is shipping out, OnePerDecade! I know that you must be worried sick! But nobody is better trained that the Marines, and nobody is more dedicated, faithful and loyal to one another than the Marines. I hope that this gives you a bit of courage and comfort!

Way to go on stopping at just one skinny cow dessert! That's some supreme will power when you're going through so much worry and stress! You're an inspiration to me!

I'm doing better with drinking water. I haven't drank as much today as in the past few days, but I'll try to make up for that by the time that I go to bed. (Working on it now!)

I've decided that for right now I'm not going to try and follow any specific diet plan. I've been on them all, with varying degrees of success, but have decided that right now I need to gain a control over my binges and cravings first. They're what always destroys my progress! After that I'll decide which one to follow.

I decided to try a simple approach: "Eat what I NEED to eat and try to make it healthier, but eat less of it. And move more." I think that it's working for me as I'm down around 2 lbs. this week.

Thanks for the welcome and the support! You're all so wonderful!

Barb