Hi there! I'm a 34 year old disabled mom of a grade schooler. I have been heavy all my life, always had very unhealthy associations with food as reward/emotional comfort etc which I am struggling to get rid of. I always told myself that I had many years to drop the weight, but now I'm old enough that the nasty health consequences could be right around the corner for me if I don't slim down. I want to be a good example for my son, too, as my parents really weren't for me.

My weight really got out of control when I was diagnosed with lupus 11 years ago and had to be on high doses of prednisone just to survive. I'm off the steroids now. Trying to tell myself that gives me much better odds of success, but I've tried and failed so many times now that it's hard to shut off that little nay-saying voice.

Anyway, I'm 5'2" or 3" and weigh about 230. To start with, I'd like to get to 200 pounds. I'll keep going from there, though; if I could wave a magic wand I'd like to weigh 130, but I don't think that's practical at my age and ability (two replaced knees). We'll see.

I know I won't succeed at this if I don't get some support, so here I am!

Welcome! Good luck on your weight loss journey. It's hard, but worth the effort.

Welcome! I too am disabled due to a debilitating back injury. I have been successful doing pool exercises. I cannot stand or walk more than 15 minutes at a time, but I can walk 20 laps back and forth and jog in place 30 minutes in our county's therapy pool which is covered in the winter, heated to 90 degrees year-round and is open all year. My other key to success has been drinking 1/2 my body weight in water daily up to a maximum of 100 ounces per day. I can really tell if I don't drink my water like I am supposed to.

You have definitely come to the right place for education, encouragement and motivation. It is so reassuring to correspond with others who are in the same boat as you.