Hi there. My name is Michelle. I stumbled on this website a few months ago and perused through but didn't sign up right away. Last weekend I perused again and found some pretty inspiring stories. I thought I would share my trials and tribulations with you too.

March 2005 I was at my all time high, 307 pounds and on a 5'5" frame. I have three very active boys so you can imagine how tough it was on me. On March 16, 2005, my oldest son came home and told me something that changed my life forever. I know kids are cruel, I was a chubby kid, they always tease you. But what I never thought about was that kids would be teasing my son because of me. It ripped my heart out and the very next day I went to Herbal One and signed a 6 mth contract to lose weight. Well long story short, I lost 60 pounds with their help and my will power. I also started working out with a friend which improved my inch loss greatly. In October that same year, I joined the gym and have never looked back. Currently I have lost 128 lbs and still need to lose about 32 lbs more. I don't really know what my goal weight would be as its been so long since I've been this current weight so I continue to move forward. I figure I will know when I get there. When others ask me how I did it and how I keep it off, I simply say its a lifestyle change. Nothing quick will work, its all perseverance and hard work. Sorry can't sugar coat it. It took me a long time to get that heavy so its going to take me time to take it off (believe me, it took me a good swift kick to realize this). Currently I am on another fitness challenge (I don't think I can mention the name here - I'll post it if I can). Anyway, I thought I would share. Please feel free to respond.

Hi and welcome to 3fc. That is an AMAZING story. As you can see by my not so pretty numbers to the left of this post that I have a looong way to go in my weightloss journey,which I started September 4th of this year. So I'm always anxious to hear about people's successes and you my dear sound VERY, VERY successful. And yes it most definitely IS a lifestyle change. Your 3 boys must be so thrilled to have a fit and healthy and active mom. What a great thing you did for them and yourself. I give you so much credit for stepping into that gym, something I've yet to do, but know eventually I will have to. I really look forward to having you here at 3FC and gaining from what I am sure is your vast knowledge of the whole weightloss process.

Hi Michelle! Congratulations on your weight loss. It is so sad that anyone feels the need to be cruel to another. I think it is great that your son trusted you enough to tell you. You must be so proud of yourself. Way to go. It is funny I want all the weight gone today but like you said, It took a long time for me to get heavy so it may take a long time to lose the weight. Your story has inspired me. Thank you for sharing it.

Rockinrobin- you have done well too. Your BMI has dropped by 14 that is amazing. Congratulations and I wish you continued success on your journey.

Wow. I think that it shows a great deal of love and courage for you to make the choice to change your life so dramatically. I am so happy for you and your family and you're right, it isn't an overnight thing, it takes a long-term dedication and determination. I'm so glad you're here. Welcome!

Thank you so much newlifestyle. I like how that's your name and that's how Paborsky titled her thread. I guess we all know that this is indeed a lifestyle change and not just a diet. Definitely "the" key to long term success.

You too are doing amazing, you must be so thrilled with your success!! And I wish you continued success as well.

Rockinrobin,
I have noticed many of your posts and I have to tell you that you are an inspiration. It is funny when I read them and then look who they are from I am not suprised it is you. You offer so much encouragement to others. I thank you for the messages I receive from your posts. I know sometimes I get discouraged and then I look at 3FC and I get that little boost I need. Thanks to you and the others here that are so supportive.

I picked my name because everyone kept asking me at work how my diet was going and I kept asking what diet. This time I wanted to be successful and I finally realized that it had to be a lifestyle change.

Well thank you Newlifestyle, you're very sweet to say that. But I gotta tell you, you're pretty inspiring yourself. You've lost A LOT of weight.

I'm glad you figured out that it has to be a lifestyle change for this to work long term. As did I. You know what truly amazes me about this place (3fc), almost everybody here feels the same way. From what I've seen there is nobody here looking for a "quick fix". Everybody is really in it for the long haul and that's probably why we benefit so much from one another.

Thanks to all for your words of encouragement and inspiration.

Newlifestyle, I get the same thing all the time. I simply say 'it's not a diet, its a lifestyle change'. Then of course comes, well how did you do it? I love to share my ideas, challenges and accomplishments and love it even more when I can encourage others to make a change. My network is steadily growing and the more people become involved in living a healthier lifestyle around me the easier it gets to keep living this way. I know where I have been, I know how far I have come and I know that I never want to go back. So live it up, enjoy life and do all the things you thought you could never do - I surely am!

Take care all.

Michelle

I'm a firm believer in the notion that this must be a lifestyle change and not a temporary diet. How can we possibly succeed long term if we make only short term changes? I know that for myself, I have to accept the fact that I must live my life eating this way, exercising this regularly for as soon as I stop, I'll be right back where I started.

I know this because it happened.

Now it's been 2 years and 4 mos and I still focus on it one day at a time, one bite at a time, one workout at a time.

rockinrobin: You don't have to step foot in a gym. You do have to exercise, move, move, move. I'm a very private person when it comes to this stuff. The hubby had a cheap eliptical machine (200bucks at walmart) to strengthen his knees. We set it up right in the TV room, right to stare me in the face and I started at 10 min a day. I did eventually (after a year or so of working out at home with small hand weights and cardio) enter a gym just for a change of scenery but I'd go in, work out, leave. Not there to impress anyone, not there to make friends. I put headphones on b/c I'd always see someone I know who didn't really want to workout but did want to chat.

This spring I took up road cycling (18mos into what I call my return to fitness). Cycling is also a solo sport. Just me and my bike. At first I was really freaked about what I looked like on the bike but when I wore my heart monitor and saw that I burned 800 calories on my ride I said Who CARES what people think. 800 calories!!!

Don't feel pressure to join a gym. Find the exercise that you feel comfortable doing, that's the only way you'll actually do it!

hugs!

Michelle,

Thanks so much for your words of encouragement. The are so true. I have to try and keep in that frame of mind. I am so thankful for all the people here and all the support I have received.

Ladyinwhite, that is a good idea about taking it one day at a time and the exercise. I haven't ridden a bike in years, I wonder if I could balance.....

I hope everyone has a wonderful New Year. Thanks for all of you and the advice and support I have received.

Take Care
Ann

Rockinrobin, I was reading over what you said earlier and ladyinwhite is right, you don't have to step foot into a gym. You can do everything you need to do at home, it might come later that you want to expand what you do and then joining a gym might seem more appealing. Eating healthy alone will only take you so far, and once you get moving, you will find that you enjoy it. If you are interested, BFL has a great plan to get you there. Its imperative to keep moving forward and not let things that life has a funny way of throwing in your path stop you from achieveing your goals.

Calejo, thank you for your wonderful words of welcome. It sure does take determination and a whole whack of will power to change but I know this is for the better. When I can go out and play football with my boys on Christmas Day (yep, you bet that's exactly what we did..that's what happens when there's no snow!) and run around without falling down half dead I KNOW it's worth it!

Thanks again. Keep positive.

Michelle

I have actually been exercising like crazy. And moving like crazy. Just not in a gym. I tend to get obsessive about things. In fact I believe I'm just as addicted to the weightloss now as I once was to the food. And therefore I've been increasingly addicted to the exercise. I increase my exercise every few days. And I plan to continue to increase it. The next move for me is to start doing some strength training. I'm looking into that now. Thank you so much for the advice. And it's funny for the first time ever, people are looking to ME for weightloss advice. A concept I'm still getting used to. At a friends house the other night, New Year's Eve, a bunch of us women were gathered around talking about "diets" and for the first time instead of wanting to curl up and die I was participating and this group of mostly very fit women were looking to me for advice. Mind boggling, simply mind boggling.

That is awesome Rockinrobin. I totally understand why people would look to you for advice. You have a lot of good advice and are very compassionate and caring. Way to go.

Michelle, that is so great that you were able to play football with your boys. You too are an inspiration.

Have a great night everyone.