Hi! I really don't know where to start.....I'm a 28 year old mother to three wonderful children. Two of which happen to be twins and well the major reason for my weight issues now. I gained over 100lbs through out my pregnancy for them Very big change since my first pregnancy I only gained 35lbs and I was able to fit into my pre-pregnancy clothes 6 weeks after. Well I haven't been able to fit into my old clothes now for 4 years. I currently need to shop in the plus-size section for clothes and it just breaks my heart. I'm so embarrassed that I've come to this point in life. I am really ashamed of how I look and really can't stand to look at myself in the mirror. For a good portion of my life was always a chubby girl. I was always about a size 12-13 and weighted about 150-160lbs. After my first child was born I battled with anorexia and bulimia for a few years and I was down to a size 3 and was about 115lbs. Although I was so small I still though I was "fat". I than became pregnant for my twins and had to start eating for the babies and eat I sure did, lol. A few months after they were born I was able to get down to about a size 9 and stayed that way for a couple of years. Although today I find myself in a 15-16 and weighing 190lbs and I can no longer take it. My self-esteem has always been low but never as bad as it today. I have a membership to a gym but have difficulty finding the motivation to go. I don't like to go alone because I sometimes suffer from anxiety. I also find it to be sometimes discouraging becasue I don't see results right away like I would like too. I sometimes feel uncomfortable when I'm there as well, I feel out of place, with all the skinny, and tonned people there, and here I am with my junk jiggling all over the place, lol.
But after coming across this place I feel like maybe it is possible to find the motivation I need and I some how find a sense of peace knowing that I'm actauly not alone in this hard battle.Reading about others and there struggles that are close to mine has given me the inspiration to make some changes and to try and stay motivated I look forward to reading others advice and experiences and having a place to vent out about this problem which I feel I can not control.

Welcome and good luck ! Your children deserve a healthy mommy. It is not just about the size of your clothing or your appearance, although I know how that affects us. It is about being a healthier person.

Welcome to your current weight loss journey and to 3FC where the folks can definitely understand your struggles. First off, I'd like to recommend that you see your GP and ask for some blood work to check for thyroid and diabetes and any other issues that pregnancy may cause post delivery and a few years later.

As to the gym you are making excuses not to go, and that's fine--you can find alternatives to going, but the sad part is you've spent the money on the membership and that's a waste. As to who cares at the gym what you look like---you shouldn't care about that. Much of those people will have "been there, done that" and you are to be applauded for your efforts. So, if you can get past the anxiety it is causing you---you should go and pay no mind to the other "reasons" why you don't want to go there. On the other hand, if the gym was good intentions on your part and it really pains you to go, bag it, forget about it, and find an alternative to it.

Having an eating plan in place is going to be key to your success. Do your "homework" and decide what exactly you would like to follow, and stick to it to your best ability. What helps sticking to it is pre-planning, having the proper foods around and available ensures that you can make good choices. Snacking in the morning and in the afternoon I have found is also important because it can stave off hunger throughout the day. I'm less inclined to overindulge at dinner when I'm not ravenous.

Like many of us you've been on diets before and you know the wrong way (anorexia/bulimia) and the right way -- following a program or eating healthfully and making better choices -- and you've got to put that plan in place. To that end, the simplest thing is to find out how many daily calories it takes to maintain your current weight--and then reduce up to 500 calories from that total daily. You can google that information. All any diet, commercial or otherwise, does is, ultimately, reduce calories. Some diets use gimmicks by hiding that detail in points, shakes, prepared packaged foods, or by eliminating certain foods or prescribing only certain foods. Ultimately, we all have to find something that we can stick to and that keeps the losses coming and thus helps us sustain our motivation.

THIS is my last weight loss journey--I'm focused on getting to a healthier weight with calorie counting and learning how to maintain it when I get there.

GOOD LUCK to you!

Welcome! You've had experience with how NOT to lose weight, so coming to 3FC was an awesome decision to get healthy support and motivation!

You (and I) are YOUNG!!!! You have so many years ahead of you to do great things and enjoy life, so welcome to the journey. I wish you great success!

WELCOME...Cheering you on to goal. You can do this. Remember, one day at a time, one pound at a time, one meal at a time. The only failure is when you give up.

Thank you ladies!
I do see a doctor once a year for some blood work just to make sure I haven't developed an new health issuses. Aside from being a little over weight I like to try and stay on top of any other health issues. I lost my mom when I was 19 years old and I want to be around for my children for as long as I can. I don't want my children to feel the pain of losing me at a young age. There is so much life that my children will experience and need me there, and I want to be there.
Yes! I will admit somedays I make my own silly excuses why I can not go to the gym Although when I'm motivated I find myself at the gym everyday. My old routine was going everyday of the week and resting on Sunday. I felt great I had more energy, I was starting to develop a better self esteem and I was starting to feel like maybe I was achieving some results slowly. Although the last month I've been thrown off course with life's little bumps, but I'm trying to get myself back to my old routine. When I don't go to the gym I feel bad about myself and I do feel like I'm wasting my money. I have decided to stand firm and change my ways. There are some things in life you don't have the power to change but this is the one thing I'm the only one who can fix. I must say I don't like the ideas of counting calories and having to watch what I eat, (I love my junk food, lol). I am slowly making some changes for the good. Its going to be a long hard road but the reward will be wonderful.

HI there,

i am a chubby mama, too! Aargh. I am also a single mama! Aargh. I just turned 41 and am the heaviest i've ever been. Plus I am a dancer and 2.5 years ago I injured my knee and haven't been able to dance until 6 mths. ago and am 4o lbs. heavier. i can't fit into any of my costumes and they are expensive. I have had it! This is it. I mean it.
i have been doing tons of visualizations about what I want my life to turn into and I feel like this has really really helped me. I am following weight watchers (again!), aargh! I have lost two pounds this week. only 45 more to go. ouch. anyway. you can lose and become a Hot Mama! So can i.

much luck

Welcome! My 4 children are my main inspiration for loosing weight. Like bargoo said, our children deserve a healthy, strong (and strongwilled) mommy.
Having kids and juggling schedules makes loosing weight much, much harder.
3FC is great for finding support and sticking with it!
Good luck on your journey!

Thank-you ladies for the wonderful support! It means so much. It can be very difficult to juggle everyday life when you have children but I am more determined than ever! I think this is such a great place and it's helping me keep my motivation, even if I've only been a memeber for a couple of days, lol. I think now that I finally have found a place to share my struggles and I am actually breaking down my wall and talking about it, it is making it easier for me. Before this fourm I felt alone with nobody to talk to. I have a wonderful boyfriend but he's a man and he just doesn't understand or he'll tell me I look beauitful and there is nothing wrong with me, and I call him a liar, lol. I know he means well. I don't really have any friends I'm pretty much alone. So I think that this is just such a wonderful place. Thank you again for the great support!!