I just had a baby 3 months ago and gained 60lbs during my pregnancy. I went from 298 up to 358 when I delivered him. I have really been trying to watch what I eat and had started walking. However with 5 small kids its hard when there isnt alot of time in the day to eat healthy. And after my 1st week of walking I pulled a tendon in my foot and leg. Thats been about 4 weeks ago and its just now getting better. So I will start walking again soon as it warms up some. I have started eating Special K for breakfast and lunch then eating my dinner and if I want a snack at night I eat Special K. We also bought a Tony Little Gazelle and I have started using it. I cant use it for too long as my heart starts to race and my legs get weak. I know this is from all this weight. I use it about 5-10 times a day for 1-3 mins each time. I know starting out slow is ok but I really feel like a failure. I want this weight off. I know it takes time but its so hard and I get upset and feel like I am getting no where. I know I can do this I have before. I went from 250lbs to 140lbs when I was a teen. But wow being older and having asthma and kids makes it so much harder. Is it ok what I am doing? What do I need to change?

So many people will tell you, do whatever you will stick to. I am just starting out myself! But, doing something is better than nothing. And small effort= small results. But, let me tell you once you see those small results you'll work harder and get bigger ones.

This guy, who I don't know, but he's been on this board and may still be is a huge inspiration for me! http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/goal...k-obesity.html

He did it, people heavier than him did it, anyone can do it if you want to! Don't get down on yourself. You're doing the best you can for now, and when you can do more fantastic! But, a start is a start no matter where you start from. And a start only leads to an end. Whether you push through or stop in the middle is all up to you!

I sure hope to see you push through though! This site is a huge help! One my down days I look through the goal forum and the picture thread at the top. Wow, it helps!

Best of luck to you and welcome!

I dont post often, but i wanted to encourage you. I also have 5 children, and I lost over 50 lbs after I had the fifth one. I ate lots and lots of salads, fresh veggies and high protein foods. For exercise, I did dvds pretty much every day for a year and a half (because as you know, getting out of the house is way too much trouble!). I also work nights as a nurse, and even at times I had to sacrifice sleep to work out, but I needed to do it for me. 3 years later, I am pretty much maintaining except I have let 7 lbs creep back on. (I am working on that now though) I always found it helpful to make a huge salad and keep it in the refrigerator. That way, it is easy to pull that out when the kids are eating less than healthy, and easy to add a chicken breast or a can of tuna and call it a meal. It will take time, but once you begin to see results, you will want to keep going. Good luck. You can do this!

I am the opposite of ButterCup85 in regards to one thing.

Small changes = BIG results.

If I was told that I had to run for an hour every day to lose weight, I'd NEVER do it. Instead this last month I walked for 5 minutes each day. That's it. But, I stuck to it. I didn't quit. This month I'm upping the ante and making it 10 minutes a day.

It comes down to what works for us individually. If you're going 3 minutes at a time at exercising and are committed to it, then yes, it's enough. And when you decide to add a couple minutes to that it'll be enough then.

Whatever you can do is enough to make a change. Over time, you'll adjust and build up. But, to start? To start... anything & everything is better than nothing.

There's a saying around here that the weight wasn't put on overnight, and it won't be taken off overnight. It's why, while so many ultimate goals are weight-based, they aren't the only goals you'll see. There are goals to eat more fruits. Challenges to drink less soda and more water. There are groups dedicated to get eachother moving for a number of minutes of exercise a day.

It's not only about the weight, it's about being healthier in general. Being healthier will lead to weight loss.

I see your changes as magnificent. As time goes on you'll note where improvements can be made.

Hi, Misty!

I know just how big little things can become when you stick to it. I decided to try to live healthier last April when I weighed 420lbs. I was diagnosed with congestive heart failure caused by nonischemic cardiomyopathy three years ago, so when I started exercising last year I could barely move without my heart racing and becoming out of breath quickly. At first, I started doing 15 minutes of Gold's Gym Cardio boxing on the Wii while sitting on the couch! After a while, I could walk in place for 2-3 minutes. Then, I could walk around the block. I also made little changes in my diet by just choosing healthier foods but making choices I could still live with and not feel deprived. Fast forward 13 months. I am about 2lbs from 100lbs lost. I workout (cardio, weight lifting, stretching) for about 90 minutes 5-6 days a week. I can pretty easily walk about 1.5 miles in 30 mins. I not only play softball (I was heartbroken and sitting on the bench this time last year), but I'm always the first girl picked by the guys when we scrimmage. My healthier choices have become easier because I genuinely love healthier foods more now than I ever did before. I don't deprive myself. I went to graduation parties last week and had cake three times and still lost weight because I indulged in a healthy way. Keep doing the small stuff, and you will be amazed just how big the results become.

Be careful that you don't hit burnout with the Special K. For me, it was hardest to be healthy when I felt bored or deprived. Try finding other healthy food choices. I have very little time to deal with food, but I've managed to find convenient yet healthy options. Keep moving! Try to increase your exercise gradually. Above all, you are not a failure. I was so discouraged last year when I started because I never thought my 2 minutes would get me anywhere. It may seem so far away, but one minutes more... 1lb less and you are making progress.

Hey Misty, I've had a heck of a time myself lately, I'm big and asthmatic so I know your frustration.

I was married in December 2010 at my heaviest (360). When my wedding pictures came back, I had to keep telling myself "Don't look at the weight, look at the happiness." But it's really hard to do. I've recently been diagnosed with diabetes so my diet has changed drastically. I was not taking any medication but started with alterning my diet. I cut out all sugar and all (ok, most) carbs. My diet I follow is a healthy one and has helped me loose 45 pounds in 5 months.

For breakfast I eat 3 scrambled eggs, 3 pieces of bacon and a cup of fruit.

For lunch I eat a salad, cucumber, carrots and a skinless chicken breast (If I'm busy I substitute the chicken for a lean cuisine or chunky soup).

For dinner I usually eat chicken or fish (when I'm feeling like something "bad" I eat turkey sausage), I pair it with a salad (garden or ceaser) veggies and a small wheat roll or yellow/red baked potato.

For Desert I eat sugar free popcicles or ice cream

I eat no carbs after 7pm and if I'm hungry and want to snack I usually get peanuts/nuts, veggies or fruit. If I snack during the day and feel tired, I eat a few rice cakes.

I know you're a busy mom and sometimes don't have time to cook, but starting with cutting out all sugar and caffeine has really helped me. I drink tons of water, Vitamin water and sugarfree lemon aid.

The weight people like you and I have to lose isn't a sprint, it's cross country. Set mini goals that lead up to the big goal. I walk for exercise (I'm a student and walk on campus between classes) and play on my wii (although not as much as I should, I do it maybe 15 mins and then get board). It takes time, but know we're all here for you and you can do it! One pound at a time, you'll get there! I hope something in here helps for you Good luck hun! And congrats on the new baby

Wow--if that ain't inspiring I don't know what is. That is awesome, ohlove!

Misty, you can do it. Little by little every single day, and before long you'll be surpassing your wildest dreams!

Totally! That is so awesome!

Misty - Getting out of the failure mentality can be so hard. You haven't failed. You are still trying. Keep track of how long you can stay on the Gazelle. If right now it is three minutes, tomorrow see if you can go four. Then the next day five. You will be amazed at how quickly your stamina will improve. But we all have to start somewhere and celebrating those small successes is a huge part of keeping motivated.

Misty, I take exception to your statement that there isn't a lot of time to eat healthy. It does not take any longer to eat healthy than it does to eat poorly.

Hey Misty, I happen to agree with you, sometimes the easiest and quickest option is not a healthy one - you can grab a snack food or a jam sandwich a lot quicker than you can perpare a salad - presuming you've had the time to shop for the veggies to start with!!!!
There's a popular song here in Aus by singer songwriter Paul Kelly - " from little things big thing grow" - apply that to us - little improvements in food choices, a little excerise - they will all add up !!!!!!!

Chin up girlie - Love from Mrs T.

TY all so much!! All these great replies have really meant alot!. As far as eating healthy well I hate most veggies so that creates a MAJOR problem. My biggest problem is I grew up on fried foods pasts and potatoes. So yeah MAJOR no no lol. I love to walk. When we started walking before my injury the very 1st day we walked 18 city blocks. I could have kept going but the kids were tired. So I have decided to go to our local track and let them play while I walk. Another big problem for me is my Hubby works 3rd shift so I get so bored at night. I have trouble sleeping and what do I wanna do? Eat! Then after I would eat I just wanna cry. But I am determined to do this. I have given myself till the fall of 2012 to lose at least 100lbs or I will have surgery. But I would rather do it without any surgery. I think if maybe I wasnt depressed so much things would be easier. I know its gonna be a struggle no matter what but I can do this!! I can do this!!!

Fall seven times. Stand up eight. - Japanese Proverb

Never give up! Take it one workout at a time and one meal at a time.

As much as this is opposite of what I just said. Print out a weekly calender and preplan the meals and snacks. Make a weeks worth of food choices once during the week. Build in variety and because you all ready know what your having...you save time.