Hello! I have been lurking here for a while. Everyone here seems nice and very supportive. I'll just jump in...I am 39, just turned. I am married and have 4 children. I have tried all kinds of diets and I'm going to try to clean out my pantry and try again. I am going low fat, smaller portions and I will be walking and doing water aerobics.
I am a Girl Scout leader and it's really hard to ask the girls to do things like rock climbing, kayaking, and rappelling when I feel like I can't physically do it anymore. Up until this year I have been able to do it all with them, but it is getting harder and harder. I have been a scuba diver for 17 years and I can't do that either anymore until I lose this weight.
My dad had quadruple bypass last year and both my parents have diabetes. I have to do this for my husband and kids as well as myself. I am sure I will be the caretaker for my parents in the future and I must be healthy and physically able to do it. I am going to try to get to 200. I weighed around 200 in my early 20's and it was a good weight for me. Who knows when I get there I may want to go lower, but the goal is 200 for now.
Hugs and positive thoughts to everyone.

Hello and welcome Girlscoutmama -- i see you have already lost 13 pounds. Congrats! I think that is great. this is a great place for support and we sure are happy you have joined. keep up the good work!

Hey Girlscoutmama, welcome!

I am cleaning out my kitchen tomorrow, getting rid of all the junk and refilling with good stuff. If it isn't there to eat, I can't eat it!

It sounds like you and your family are pretty active, so you have that working for you!

Welcome Welcome WELCOME!!! What helped me was finding something that I could do for life. I chose the food pyramid. I can eat anything and everything. I choose to eat (mostly) whole grains, lean meats, beans, nuts, low fat/fat free dairy, fruits and veggies. I do have white carbs sometimes and on the rare occasion, fried things and a small (I MEAN TINY) piece of cake or pie or ice cream. But for the most part I choose the healthiest and tastiest thing I can put into my body. Portion control and calorie minding is key for me. Also, how I "spend" those calories is important.

Best of luck and good for you to start your new life.

Welcome Scoutmama, Stop by any of the numbered threads and say hello. I know you're only 39, but you might find the 40+ Old Hen's group interesting. It was started because as we age there are so many additional challenges to losing weight. Wherever you decide to jump in, you'll be welcomed with open arms. Glad you're here.

P.S. Check out the NEWBIES thread that's stickied up above for some navigational tips that might help out.

Welcome to the board!!!

Hello and welcome! Walking and water aerobics has turned out to be a GREAT combination for me so hope you are happy with it also. I'm glad you came out of lurksville!

Welcome girlscoutmama: You will love this place. There are so many great ladies here and everyone wants you to succeed. There are so many inspirational and success stories to read. I'm a former Club Scout Leader and Den Leader Coach so I know the stress of keeping up with these lads and lassies. Good Luck.

Hi there GSM!! Welcome on in .. me not such a newbie any more .... but its still fun trying to keep up with everyone rofl .. there sure is a lot of support on here regardless of your age or new lifestyle programme Im sure there will be lots of people to talk to about everything and anything you come up against lol ..

You are doing really great so far!! I have a total goal of 200lbs too .. I know it will still say Im overweight ... but I will be happy just to be healthier... and who knows what I will want to do when I get down to that lol .. If you want a little extra inspiration and are up for a challenge .. come and join us on the Xmas Challenge thread - 40lbs, 20lbs or 3 pant sizes by Xmas .. there are LOTS of us doing it ... and you are more than welcome to jump right on in ... have a look on the Chicks Challenge area I think it is

You and your family definitely seem like an active bunch!! That must already be a big plus for you to know that you have the ability to do a lot of the things that you may want to try again ... and I would love to do Water Aerobics .. just not confident enough yet to get a pair of togs .. but never say never ... I have just started Turbo Jam .. its fun ... and today I definitely felt it lol Im even looking forward to doing it again tomorrow .. never thought I would ever be eager to exercise rofl.

Have fun and hope to see you posting on the boards!!

Huggies