I found this website a few years ago and loved it, I didn't loose the weight I wanted to , but found it very helpful. Last year I returned here, but didn't use the board like I should of. I had lost all my things to Hurricane Katrina, didn't have any scales, tape measures, exercise equipment,ect. So I left. Now I am back and for my life I need to become healthy again. Since Katrina, I have let depression rule my life, and food. I am stuck in the house most of the time, because hubby uses our only car for work. I live in a state where I have no friends, my kids are at school and I have used food as my friend. I knew 3 months ago, I couldn't fit in my pants, I went from size 22 to 26 , my feet were swollen and hurt to walk on, The fat between my legs rubbed together and caused blisters, in short I hated myself. I have been making changes for the past 3 wks or so, and have noticed a difference. Last summer I bought a elliptical machine with my hubby's tax refund, but I wouldn't really use it and could only stay on it for 2-3 minutes, I also had some free weights lying around and a exercise mat. Well 3 wks ago I started on the elliptical, I am up to 14 minutes for 5 days a wek, I also use my free weights for 10 minutes and do some other jumps, leg lifts ect.. for 7 minutes. I have noticed a change, My clothes are looser, my feet aren't swollen any more ect.. But now I bought a scale yesterday and am devestated. I weigh 279 lbs, I do 't have mirrors to look at my body so I can't believe I am that big. Ifeel horrible. I have never been this big. I am determined to eat better and exercise. I have been eating much better, only water and o.j. to drink. I eat lots of fruits and veggies, no fried food, desserts( except for some dark chocolate once or twice a week, or some fat free frozen yogurt). I just need to do this, and get healthy for me and my depression. I want to be able to wear shorts and run around without a big stomach in front of me. I just hope I can do this and I dont' give up like I do every time I try.
Sorry for this being so long, just needed to get this off my chest.

It must be hard to be living in a state where you know nobody and even harder to have lost everything in Katrina, but you are managing to pull through it and you are doing wonderfully! Keep it up!! You have to start out slow and slowly increase your exercise, which is exactly what you are doing...Never worry about venting!! it helps Kepp up the good work!

You can do this!!! I wish you all the luck

I was first drawn to your post by the title, because I too am here for the 3rd time. I came here first in Jan 2006 and I did well and lost 46 pounds then just stopped and regained it all. Then I came back in Oct 2006 and lost about 20 pounds and just stopped again and regained again. I am back here now (just this past week) for the third time and this time I refuse to stop.... I will reach my goal and I will become healthy! I know how it feels to keep failing, but we only really fail if we stop trying. I know I can do this, and so can you!
After reading your entire post I felt for you more. I am so sorry you have gone through all that you have. I lived in Houma, La. Thankfully we were out before the storms came. So many people lost so much. Don't let the depression get to you. You may have lost most of your material posessions but it sounds like your family is still in tact and healthy. Try to be thankful for that, so many people weren't so lucky. I know it must be devasting and very hard but you must put it in the past in order to move forward. Depression will crush you if you let it, you can't allow it win.
This is a wonderful site, as you already know. Use it to help you along your path. We can all succeed together!