Hi everyone! I never really realized that losing weight was going to be so hard when trying to do it on my own. I did really good for about 6 weeks weeks, I lost 15 pounds , but then my husband took me on a romatic vacation and "BAM", everything I had worked so hard for crumbled as I gave in to every morsel of sweet temptation. I gained 5 pounds back, and now I'm stuck in a rut. I do not have any type of motivation to exercise all I do is long to be thin. I can't seem to pull myself out of it. My life is very hectic at the moment, I have two children under the age of four, I'm in nursing school, we are trying to purchase our first home, and my father recently moved three blocks away and he is constantly over at our home. Although these are not excuses as to why I'm not eating right and exercising, I use them anyway.
And another problem is my overeating. It is almost compulsive, I can't stop. Its not that I am hungry, it is a need to have something in my mouth! Everyday I promise myself I will not eat after 8pm, when we have dinner at 6 pm. But come 9:30 or 10, after the kids are in bed and I'm doing homework, I start to snack...and not healthy! And usually, after I go to bed, I end up getting up two or three times a night to check on the kids and I always grab a little snack.
Is there any hope for me? I'd hate to think I've come all this way already and now I'll never reach my goal.

Hey dumplin-
Welcome! It is so hard to lose weight on your own. It really takes the help and support of others. We're glad that you are here.

You said that you may be suffering from compulsive overeating. You may find some answers at www.overeatersanonymous.org There is a checklist of what to look for to determine if this is your problem. I have great news--if you are a compulsive overeater, there is SO MUCH help and support. There is a whole program already in place to help you recover from it.

Marny

Dumplin, welcome!
Wonderful advice from Marny. OA offers great support, and so do the members here!
You sound really overwhelmed. I can see it in you, because I'm feeling the same way myself.
Have you tried writing down all the stuff that's overwhelming you? Sometimes just putting it down on paper so that we can "physically see the problems" can make a difference. Our heads get so busy with all the stuff that's whirling around inside that it's difficult to focus on any one thing. And so nothing gets accomplished or resolved.

As for the evening snacking... I used to have the same problem until I joined a doctor/dietitian supervised weight loss program and was told that it's okay to have a snack at night. I allow myself a snack of 100-200 calories out of my daily allowance. It's not alot compared what I used to have , but just knowing I can have it makes a huge difference to my mindset.

Welcome Fellow Hoosier! I think my other fellow Hoosier Friend, Donna on this site is right, we definately need a Hoosier thread!

I'm originally from Indiana, South East, a very small town. About an 1 1/2 from Indianapolis. I now live in Soutwest OH.

I think Ellis has it right, you have A LOT going on there! I would try do as she suggested, write everything down and maybe have a family meeting. Ask for some help with some of the things you are feeling overwhelmed with. You may be surprised. I know you said you have two children under the age of four, but they should be able to help out a little too and they might even enjoy it! (depending on their ages)

Anyways, you have come to the right site, these ladies are great and give wonderful advice and the best support!

I'm new to 3 Fat Chicks and to Overeaters Anonymous too! I went to my first meeting 2 weeks ago. It was very different from Weight Watcher meetings. It felt strange to hear people talk about the most intimate parts of their lives (personal family issues) and how it relates to their eating and even their lack of control. I understood how they felt. I try not to blame others for the choices that I have made but I can understand how certain relationships play themselves out in the choices we make with food. For me, it's my mom. She always hounded me about my weight as a child and still does. When I thought about gastric bypass, she was shoving her opinion down my throat. But in the end, it is my life; my body and my choice. I decided to have the surgery. But the decision was purely my own. Getting control over my eating meant getting some control over my relationship with my mom. I can't worry about what she thinks. I can't allow myself to be controlled by her manipulative ways. It's my life! And knowing that and accepting that is truly freeing.

I wish you the best on your journey.

Jeanette

Jeanette,
It is amazing how open and honest folks are at an OA meeting about the most intimate parts of their lives. Something I've learned through working the steps is that keeping secrets (rather than sharing our struggles) prevents us from healing and recovery. When we get those hurts out in the open and find that we are still loved and accepted, that's when the real healing begins. It's powerful.

I have not been online much over the last couple of weeks, but I wanted to welcome Hoosier Dumplin and Jeanette! OA is such a great program! I can truly see my life changing before my eyes. Please stick around ladies!

Jeanette, wow!! You sound so "together". Congratulations on taking control of your life. I love to hear stories like yours.

Sassy, if you're still there... Okay, I have a Hoosier cabinet. What exactly is a "Hoosier", and why is my cabinet named after it?

Water, it's good to see you back!