Not exactly a catchy title, but I am here to introduce myself & get started on a healthier begining to this year. I am a 58 yr. old housewife. I was outright 'scrawny' as a child...had NO shape at all!! Now I have a shape...ROUND!!! I started gaining weight as I was having my babies, but my youngest is 19 now...so honestly can't use them as an excuse. Although I have fought my weight most of my adult life it didn't get serious until my 18 yr. old was killed in a MVA in July of 2005. At that moment my life was torn apart & 3 1/2 years later I still struggle with surviving each day. I had been losing weight and feeling positive about my diet plan at the time of my son's death, but soon turned to food for 'comfort' & I have gained 58 pounds since his death. Some bereaved parents take medications to cope..my 'drug' of choice is EATING!!!! My weight is causing major health problems, so I am making a huge effort to start taking care of myself. I believe that my pattern of eating may be an unconscience slow suicide & my son would be so sad to know that he played a part in something like that...so I am going to turn my life around...for my other kids...and for my son that I miss every moment of every day!!! I hope to get to know others who are also making changes to improve their lives!! Let's help each other...one day at a time, one step at a time...one tear at a time!!!

dear cheryl,
welcome! i'm so sorry for the tragedy that happened to you. the decision to do something for your health, not only to lose weight, but to start exercising as well, is the best thing you can do. hence, i would strongly reccomend you to start taking brief walks and make healthy changes in your diet, you will feel much better in a few days and will see the results very soon. your kids deserve to have a healthy mom, not only did they lose a brother, but they see their mother slowly destroying herself. they need you and that is the best way to motivate yourself.
i mostly read this forum and rearly comment, so forgive me if my english is not well enough (i'm from europe), i just wanted to say a few supporting words since your story really moved me.
good luck and let us know how it's going for you!

Welcome!!!

CHERYL ~ so glad that you joined us here; we have a 50 -Something group and a 100 lb club, and so many others, including a Christian Encouragers thread in the Faith Forum ... we also have many food plan groups and threads here that you might want to check out.

We have lost many people in our family; but losing a child has to be one of the hardest of all. I had a few miscarriages and that was sad enuff for me; lost our mother when we were younger (over 16 years now). This past year, DH and I lost both our furry babies who we had for over 15+ years and as we had no kiddies, they were like our children to us. We all know sorrow, don't we? And many of us have used food to cope with sorrow and the stressors of life.

This is a great place for support; and there are many wonderful folks here who know exactly what you are going through. I love it here and have found that coming here has helped me a lot; come back and post often, and I hope I see you around ... Rosebud

Cheryl, I'm so sorry for the loss of your son. I can't even imagine. Your strength is so incredible. I'm glad you're here.

What are your plans for food and movement?

Welcome to the site. I hope you find support & comfort here!

Thanks for the kind words everyone!! Right now, I am watching portion control. I eat sweets once in a while, but I am not eating inbetween meals. I am trying to become more active by walking whenever I get the chance. Before my son died I walked all the time...in fact, the day he died-right before we got 'the call' I had been out walking with my headsets on. I had walked within 1 block of the hospital where they had pronounced him dead and didn't know he was there. I had trouble with going walking again for a while after that because it brought back the memories of that day. Now I am so out of shape that I have to build up my strength to walk again. Since the first of the year I have been doing better about NOT using food to temporarily smothering the pain. One day at a time....and in the case of grief...sometimes one breath at a time!!!!!
Thanks for the love!!!