3rd Times A Charm - New Member

  • Hi fellow WW'ers

    I have just rejoined WW for the 3rd time and really need to stay committed and on the wagon, so here I am.

    My name is Frances, I am a sahm to 2 girls, 8.5 and 4 yrs. I have been married for 9 yrs this past May to my wonderful hubby, who is also on WW with me this time. I run a local moms group with 100 plus moms and have been doing that for 3.5 yrs now. In my spare time I like to read, scrapbook, and chat online.

    So here's my story:

    I have been on the heavier side since I was about 12 when my life really started to change, those details I will not get into but food was comfort. I know all to well about comfort foods and what they can do. In school I was often teased for my height (I was the tallest girl in my school til about 9th grade) I was called Big Bird (blonde hair) for that. I was getting chunkier as time went on, I was called Thunder Thighs among other hurtful names. They have always stuck with me, but yet I don't think it really hit me I needed to change things til I was in high school.

    In high school I was at my highest weight ever in my life but that did begin to change when I tried out for our high school musical and made it. We had practice almost daily, dancing, singing and more dancing, that was the most exercise I have had in along time. I also decided to try out for color guard for marching band and to my surprise I made that too. So all summer long I was practicing for color guard, running the football field in the hot sun and trying to do walking at home. I did lose weight and was so happy, the moment I knew I looked different was when a friend was walking up to us at lunch and said I almost didn't recognize you from a distance because you have lost so much weight. I was so happy, thrilled and excited and was determined to keep the weight off. So during my Sophomore year I was in our musical again and tried out for color guard again (though once you were on, you just had to come show others for the next year) . Then my life changed yet again, we moved from the area and I started a new school my Junior year. I went through a lot of changes that year, went to three schools for my Junior year and food became my comfort again.

    The next few years I was up and down with my weight but mostly up and by the time I graduated I was huge in my eyes. What really hit me was my high school graduation (1995), our school colors were green and gold and unfortunately they thought the girls needed to wear yellow gowns. Can you guess what was on my mind the entire time? Yep the name Big Bird, I was huge, tall and wearing a yellow gown and cap. That really felt like the lowest point in my life.

    Fast forward to 1999 I met my now husband, we dated ate out a lot and you guessed it I gained off and on during our dating. We got married in 2000 and I had my first child in 2000. Luckily I was working full time and went back to work when she was just 8 weeks old, so I lost the baby weight quickly.

    A few years later a friend of mine at work started Weight Watchers and was doing incredibly well on the program. I was hooked, I knew I could do it if I stuck to it and besides I wanted to try to lose some lbs before having another baby. I started WW in June 03 and by December 03 I had lost 40lbs! I made it through the holidays without gaining, that is a very hard thing to do! I started a new job in November 03 and by Jan I was eating out more instead of taking lunch to work and I gained about 10lbs back.

    In June 04 I got pregnant with my second child and gained about 30lbs, I just knew the weight would drop off after. Yep it did but then I sat at home for 3 months on maternity leave and ate and ate and gained it all back. I weighed as much as I did at 9 months pregnant. Sad and depressed, but I didn't do anything about it.

    I started Weight Watchers summer in June 06 for the second time in my life. I stuck to it really great in the beginning with the help and motivation of some great friends I lost 30lbs in a few short months. That 30lb loss helped me wear pants 2 sizes smaller than previous and then I dropped off. I don't know when or why it happened, but my motivation stopped. I guess I wasn't ready to commit full force to being on a lifestyle change. I was eating the right foods but I wasn't exercising so I wasn't losing anymore weight. So now here I sit with at least 140 lbs to lose.

    Yesterday I rejoined WW and I am determined to make this work. I have a lot of health problems and I want to see my children grow up. If I do not make some changes that is not going to happen.

    I hope you'll read my journey and give words of encouragement and support and just maybe I'll connect with someone out there in the same situation that needs to change their lifestyle too.
  • Welcome back. I have been at this a few more times than 3 so I know how you are feeling. But it's a program that works and well worth coming back to. I just restarted myself after gaining back about half of what I originally lost. It's frustrating and I have only myself to blame. You and I share the same hobbies, sadly ones that don't require much activity, mainly sitting! LOL!

    This is a great place for support, tips, etc. You've come back to the right place. Much luck to you. You know you can do it!!
  • Welcome Frances! At least you already know WW works, and that you can do it, so now, just get to the doing. Good luck on your journey.
  • Hi Frances! Welcome to 3FC and welcome back to WW!

    As I was reading your post, I noticed that your school colors were green and gold and you graduated in 95 - Same with me!

    Congrats on your rededication to your health and well-being!
  • Quote: Welcome back. I have been at this a few more times than 3 so I know how you are feeling. But it's a program that works and well worth coming back to. I just restarted myself after gaining back about half of what I originally lost. It's frustrating and I have only myself to blame. You and I share the same hobbies, sadly ones that don't require much activity, mainly sitting! LOL!

    This is a great place for support, tips, etc. You've come back to the right place. Much luck to you. You know you can do it!!
    Thanks! I am defintely trying to fit more active things into my life. I do get out of the house pretty regularally with playdates and the kiddos but I need to dedicate time to exercise, at min some walking!


    Quote: Welcome Frances! At least you already know WW works, and that you can do it, so now, just get to the doing. Good luck on your journey.
    Thank you! It's been a rough week so far but I am trying and still hanging in there.

    Quote: Hi Frances! Welcome to 3FC and welcome back to WW!

    As I was reading your post, I noticed that your school colors were green and gold and you graduated in 95 - Same with me!

    Congrats on your rededication to your health and well-being!
    Thanks for the welcome! How neat to have the same colors and yr lol I really hated those dang yellow gowns, no one looked good in them! Big ol Bananas lol
  • Welcome! 3fC has been a huge source of support for me! Best of luck!
  • Quote: Welcome! 3fC has been a huge source of support for me! Best of luck!
    Thanks!


    Well the first week was a not to bad until the middle of the week, T.O.M came to visit and wanted sweet sweet stuff. Um yah I totally had no willpower and had a small mcflurry.... that is just 12 pts.... Not so great, but I did pull myself back together for the rest of the week. I went over my flex pts by 7 pts sadly but I guess it could have been worse.

    This past Monday was my first weigh in since joining, and I am happy to report I am down 3.5lbs! So though I had a rough day I still managed to lose weight!!!

    My dh who is also doing ww with me, also had a loss. He was down 3lbs. yay.

    Just thought I would check in for some accountability!
  • Awesome job on your WI this week!