I see a few familiar faces around the place! Hopefully some of you will remember me.

I posted a lot last year and at the start of this year and then basically got busy. Yes, a man. I'm not prepared to go into too many details in a public forum, but basically he treated me like dirt. I finally saw the light about a month ago and got rid of him, but yeah. It hasn't been a good year.

Suffice to say, I'm starting the new year at exactly the same place weight wise that I was last year, so that's something. I'm not feeling particularly good about myself at the moment, but I want to get back on track. I *need* to get back on track.

I went back to my parents for Christmas and they and my grandmother kept raving about how good I look. I don't feel good about myself at all - I loathe being this size and I hate that I let him treat me like that. I'm a mature, intelligent woman and I should have known better. I've watched friends go through this sort of thing and I thought I knew the signs. But everything's more obvious when it happens to someone else, isn't it.

I've been thinking for a few days, since I got back from my parents and have decided on a couple of things. Firstly, this is my life and I'm in control. Secondly, the rest of my life starts right now, and this time next year I'm going to be thinner and I'm going to feel a heck of a lot better about myself. And thirdly, I missed you guys so much. Why did I stay away so long. Yeah, part of it was him - you know how it goes when the relationship's new - and part of it was, well, embarassement. How stupid is that?

Anyway, I'm back, and I will be posting a lot more from now on. And 2009 is going to be my year.

I'm sorry to hear about your less-that-wonderful year. It's been a hard one for me too. It's always different when you're in the bad relationship yourself, right. You keep telling yourself, 'oh, he'll change, it's not really like that', and sometimes he can be so so wonderful! It's totally not worth it though, I'm super proud that you got yourself out of there now rather than later

The support and generosity on this forum is amazing right! Even for people all the way from lil ole New Zealand. I'm sure you'll get all the support and motivation you'll need, but you already knew that ;-)

Yes, yes. Of course I remember you!!!

So sorry that you've had a tough year . But glad to hear that you're ready to get back on track and are looking forward to good things for the upcoming one. This can DEFINITELY be your year! I mean, come now - who's to stop you? No one and nothing. GO FOR IT!!!

I remember you too! Welcome back! This is OUR YEAR!!!

I also remember you! Glad to see you are back. You can do this for yourself. We all know how good we feel when we are on plan and taking care of ourselves first! Looking forward to hearing from you again!

I remember you too! Sorry you have had a difficult year, but welcome back!

Hi nicolen! Of course I remember you too.
Sorry you have had a rough time, but try to be kind to yourself. We are glad to have you back.

Hey Nicolen! Nice to see you again. I just came back myself after almost a year of dealing with a bad break up. I understand and I am sorry you had to deal with it. You can do it and it will all work out this year!

We are all in this together!

welcome back!

Yes, you kiwi. I remember you.

Welcome back! We missed you!

I remember you too! Welcome back!

Welcome back - we promise not to treat you like dirt.

Hi there!! I remember you!!!

I am sorry you had a bad year, but you didn't eat yourself through it, so that has to say something!!!!!

Welcome back!!

2009 is going to rock!!!

Yes, I remember you! Welcome back. This is gonna be a great year.

This thread feels like old home week - so many people I remember and have been inspired by! I just came back as well, so it's inspiring to see so many people still grinding it out. And, of course, I'm starting to learn the "new" people here, too, and I know this is where I need to be.

Congratulations on maintaining your weight through a really tough time. I did not do as well, so I think it's amazing that you did. I can't wait to get back into the nitty-gritty of weight loss - and I'm excited to do it with you again!