I just wanted to share with you all that I have been on here on and off, and there are so many of you that have inspired me. I have also made a lot of friends on here too. I would go on here and try to diet and do really good for awhile then I would just give up... When ever I felt down about my weight I would come on here and just read the success stories and then smile and say see if they can do it so can I. Somehow I would just keep going back to my original old habbits.....eating.....sometimes it is not always healthy foods. I told myself well I guess this is the size I am supposed to be and then excepted it. A little bit about me... I am 36 years old, and have 2 wonderful teenagers ages 15 and 16 years old. After having my daughter, I bounced right back and looked really great. I was going out and doing things but then all of the sudden I turned all my attention on my kids....I mean I stopped going out with friends, stopped doing things for me....it was all for them I stopped buying stuff for myself. All my time and attention was devoted to them, and the weight started to climb, and I just turned to food it was my comfort because I didnt give anything to myself. Over the years I lost contact with my friends because I always stayed home. I was there always for my kids. And even today I sit at work, on a 8 hour day, and then go home and cook and then sit on the couch. I dont go anywhere.... it is almost as though I am a hermit. I called my sister up and told her that I need help with motivation. The reason I am asking for her help is because she would be a constent motivator. She has 4 childeren and she is only a year younger than me and she is fit as a fiddle. She is there for her kids, but she also has always given time out for herself. I just basically forgot about myself and let myself go. I only have 2 pairs of pants that fit me and I refuse to go and buy any clothing until I lose weight. I will say this though I have accomplished one thing and that was cut back on my soda intake. I used to drink soda everyday all through out the day rarely any water. Now I have maybe a half of soda in the morning since I dont drink coffee. It took me 2 weeks to kick that major habit and forced myself to drink water. I also started bringing my food to work. So right now I am at 225 pounds and just feeling blah. So now I am waiting for my sister to email me the days that we will be working out. I also have a journal that I bought so that I can log all my food intake, and then correct what I need to correct. In that journal I taped a photo of me in a bathing suit when I was happy and skinny. Do you think that is a good idea to do that, because I think if it was just a photo of anyone, then it would not be much of an insentive.

I do need to get out more, and do things for myself. Its funny when I am asked so what did you do this weekend...I just say well I cleaned house and went to the library with the kids, or did laundry. Booorrrriinnnggg...hahaha...cleaning and doing laundry...sheesshh.. so does anyone have any ideas as to what things I can do that will get me out of my shell to get my life back for me, and still include my children? I need ideas...because I can't believe how much of a hermit I have become .....

Jaya,
I know what you mean. I'm just now coming out of that type of cycle. I also have 2 kids, and I felt, until recently, that I had given up my whole life. For me, getting moving has FINALLY showed me what I'm missing. I'm in my 30's too, and I just realized I've been living like an old lady, for pete's sake! I know grandmas who have more fun.

So, let's challenge ourselves to go out once in a while - dancing is great exercise! I'm really looking forward to a Stevie Wonder tribute party some friends are throwing here in Atlanta.

The clothes issue is also one I struggle with. If you don't want to spend a lot of money on clothes right now - try going to a resale shop or goodwill. A lot of times, they have cute, almost brand new stuff!

Also, walking/working out with the kids gets you out of the house and will show them some healthy habits.

As far as soda is concerned, they've started doing wonders with new diet sodas.

Good luck to you,

Toki

Its great that you are there for your kids, but think of how much more you can do with them when you lose weight and have more energy! Also, I would suggest going out NOW and buying a nice new outfit for yourself! even if it is just one, or is an exercise outfit! Then set a short goal for yourself, and buy another when you reach it! Buying a new outfit always makes me feel better when I am in a rut, even if I havent lost any weight. I bet there are some active things you can do with your kids too
You should join a challenge so you keep posting on here! I have posted on and off too, and whenever its off I lose my motivation
Best of luck to you!

Definately! You can always do more with/for your kids when your energy levels are high. I'm 42 and have a 21 mo. old toddler to contend with. If I was still overweight, there is NO WAY I'd be able to keep up with him. But now, I seem to find more reserves of energy than I ever recall having in my life. Even back in high school. I was never a very active child. I not only keep up with him, but the house and errands, and still take time for long walks and doing projects...like busy painting the fence this week.

I used to be the same way though. I'd go home from work and plop down on the computer, and clean on the weekends. I didn't go out. Had friends asking me to go shopping but I was never in the mood. Didn't want to stand on tired legs with sore knees getting banged by buggies in crowded aisles. Now I LOVE shopping and often go just to go. Wanted to price a paint sprayer at Wal*Mart today. Rather than call them, just detoured to the nearest store while out on my walk with the baby in the stroller. The air conditioning inside was woooooooooooooonderful.

My love for shopping and getting out developed as my weight dropped. Likely because it just doesn't tire me out as much now, and my knees don't bother me like they used to.

I'd suggest you not wait to do stuff for you. Go buy some clothes now that flatter you at your current weight. Try buying one really nice outfit a size smaller, to give you something to shoot for. I would do that everytime I dropped a size. I'd keep it hanging where I'd see it every day...and try it on every day. LOL Buttoning the pants became my milestone. If you force yourself to get out and do things now, you will build your stamina, and as the weight drops, you'll be more inclined to do even more.

If you are almost 100 lbs overweight you aren't going to have much energy I wouldn't think - just think of carrying two 50 lb dumbells around with you? I went over the 220 lb mark when I was pregnant, had to really work hard to get it off (stupid me gained 25 lbs back in the past year sitting around) but I can tell you it's like night and day. Energy that is. Even now I've lost about 7-8 lbs in a few months and my energy has soared because of exercising and nutritiion. I sat around this winter sort of depressed about divorce and the death of my father, and I snapped out of it. There is "life out there" and slowly you'll get there. Start with eating right and nutrition, and instead of the "hobby" of eating - that was mine too especially eating out - substitute other things like walking or biking. After you eat right and exercise more your body isn't going to crave as much junk food anyways, I don't even miss the junk I sat on the couch with all winter long that caused my weight gain.

As for "getting out more" how about writing a list of things you enjoyed when you were younger? Your childhood sports or hobbies? For me it was horses and one of my ways of "snapping out of" letting myself go is to ride again, brings back some sort of kid thing in my I guess as all of us girls growing up were horse crazy. If you can't think of things you used to do that you really enjoyed then come up with new ideas. Is there a class you'd really like to take? Something you've been wanting to try? A group you could join (I'm not into Jenny Craig or Weight Watchers but a lot of women find support and live friends through meetings)? How about church? Exercise classes at a ymca? Just get started with one group or hobby, concentrate on eating as healthy as you can. At work take 2-3 walks throughout the day even for 10 minutes at a time rather then sitting at your desk all day long. Keep that journal, write down everything and make yourself accountable. You'll be a new person with lots of energy and that couch one day won't be very attractive to you at all.

Hello there and welcome! I agree with the others...Go and buy yourself a nice outfit or two now..One to go out in and one to work out in! That's what I did when I started. Finding a nice outfit for your CURRENT body can be a real self esteem booster. I had promised myself I wasn't going to buy anymore clothes until I had lost atleast 50 lbs...Pssssshhh..I gave that up last weekend because I had dropped a size and I found some nice stuff on sale LOL. I was tired of my pants falling down

Take some time for you! You only have one life to live..why waste it in front of the TV?

I think it is great you have your sisters support also. I wish I had a sis to work out with. I bet it will really help keep you motivated.

Best of luck to you! We are all here for you, and we want to see you succeed!

let's see....yes...go out and buy you a nice workout outfit. You will feel more included to work out if you have something you feel good in. It has helped me alot to have nice workout clothes.

something to do on the weekends with two teenagers?? that's tough. the only thing that really comes to mind is going out to miniture golf. not real active, but something you can "get out" and do. i have a teenage daughter and besides shopping, we don't have that much in common for activities to do together.

yay for buying a journal to write everything down in. that is an excellent idea!!! and definately post a picture of yourself in it...not someone else. you may never get someone else's body but you certainly have a chance of getting "your" body back!!!

Good luck and keep posting here!!!

These are all great ideas! I find that sitting around feeling lethargic only creates a vicious cycle. Sometimes you just have to force yourself to go out, even if it's just for a walk. It's a great morale booster. You don't mention a spouse. If you are married, do you go out with your husband? Do you have a church or library. You could join a book club. Since your kids are older, could you take a class? My kids have given me a massage and a facial for gifts and they make you feel great! Sometimes you just have to pamper yourself a little.

I also want add that I picked up a very bad habbit and since me being heavy I used to pick at my arms..dont ask my why but I did now I have all this dots that are now scars I dont like to where tank tops anymore because of it .... I am thinking that after I lose my weight I need to see a skin specialist or something so that I can take off the horrible scares on my arms.....

Everyone thank you for your support and suggestions....believe me I will take them seriously. I am tired of feeling old....

Toki- You made me laugh when you said its like living like an old lady.....hahahahaha...I never looked at that way but by golly you are right ..hehe.. I agree we should start a challenge because I NEED all the support I can get...and the more the marrier... So what should the challenge be called? Thank you


Pinkadot- I know what you mean, posting on and off, that is why today I put a reminder on my computer to come on here every day so that I can stay focused on my goal. I dont want to lose my motivation. I agree I should go and buy like an exercise outfit our something, I think that it will give me something to smile about because I am doing something for me .... Thank you


almostheaven- I like your idea of getting an outfit of that is a size smaller than I am now to work myself towards mini goals. I think that I will add that to my list
of what I will need to do for myself. I will admidt it is hard for me to find flattering clothes because I dont like the way I look. I see fat no the outfit..lol .. I know my skinny self is there somewhere...hiding ... Thank you

horsey- I know I seem to use food like a hobby. Do you know that I have brand new bike sitting in my room. It still has tred on it. I only rode it for like 2 weeks because I was taking the bus and biking only because I did not have a car. Well I have a car now, and the bike has not been ridden since. I also have a gym in my complex and I only walk past it to go tell the kids that dinner is ready when they are in the pool....hahahaha.... so I know its there....

sockmonkey70- Hi I saw your nickname and I just wanted to tell you that it is a cute nickname, and it made me chuckle. I would have to say I really need an real self esteem booster. I just dont like the way clothes look on me. I think that I am so used to of just saying to myself eww...that looks yucky...or just not being positive in the way I look. I know that I need to change that. I can't wait until my pants start falling down..lol..but I agree I should get something new when I do lose because then it will incourage me more. Having my sister who is only a year younger than me and has 4 kids, and looks amazing...will totally help me and keep me motivated.....When I would go and visit her I felt like a cow compared to her but of course she never sees me like that. She cracks me up thought because she has a piramid of water bottles that are full. And all she does is grab it and start drinking water like it is nothing. Me it took me like 2 weeks just to force myself to drink the water... Thank you .... I look forward to meeting my goal...

lumifan4ever- You know miniture golf is actually a great idea...because not too long ago, my daughter and my son went with grandmother .... did I go nope....lol...I was busy cleaning and doing laundry...hahaha..I should do that. My daughter and I have a lot in common, but when I want to do something like go to the pool she will say ...naaaaa I am tired....or if she wants to I am too busy or tired...hehehehe... I did tape the picture in the inside my journal and now I just need to work towards my goal.....no more talk just do do do .... :0) Thank you

murphmitch- I know I am excited about all the great ideas... I find that I am in a rut, and need to climb out of this rut once and for all. Um, I have never been married, and I dont even have a boyfriend. I think that being a hermit I wont find a companion that way...hahahah because they dont just fall from the sky...hahahahaha....You know I like that pampering idea too....gosh ... I am just thinking about all these wonderful things, and now I cant wait to get started on them.... Thank you ...

Thanks for the compliment!

Well my problem with my clothes not looking good on me was that for about 6 months I was stuffing a size 20 bottom into a size 16 pants LOL. Silly me. Can we say jiggly muffin top from ****??? I looked so much better wearing the size 20 even though it was a slight blow to my pride. Not saying you are doing that LOL.

That's so sweet your sister is so positive and outgoing. Not all people are blessed with someone in real life to help them on the journey.

And drinking waer DOES get easier once you ween yourself off the other stuff. Water and unsweet tea are the only things I have drank in weeks.maybe an occasional diet cola if I am out. I don't even buy juice anymore because of all the sugar.

Hey Jaya!
I just sent you a PM. I'm so glad that you're here and sticking to it!

Toki

Jaya....how are you doing today??? I'm glad you taped the old you in your journal. How is it going with logging your food intake today??? Were you able to record everything yesterday?? It takes time to break old habits, so don't get down on yourself if you ate something you don't feel was ON PLAN. Have you been here to visit today??? I hate on weekends that I can't come on here unless i end up working overtime. I don't have internet at home and that is the one time each week that it kills me not to have internet!!! lol.

You're welcome.

I used to constantly complain about clothing. I would be so hot in the summer, but shorts had these huge elephant legs. My waist and butt were huge...not my thigs. Besides, they made each leg the size of the waist and the shorts ended up looking like mini skirts. Yuck. And tanks? The armholes showed my bra because they must've though I had arms the size of Texas. They came clear down to my waist. Someone did give me a trick to shorts and pants once....buy men's. The legs are straighter. So that's what I ended up doing and felt a bit better in them until I could start losing the weight. As you do lose the weight, you'll start seeing the clothes more.

Thank you all for your support.... I was a bad girl this morning... I had CHOCOLATE .... hehehe... it was calling me and my willpower went out the front door .... and I reached and grabbed the Rocky Road ....mmm...I felt like a kid at the candy store..but after I ate it ....I felt blah.....like what was I thinking...I wasnt .... So now I am trying to make up for by drinking water throughout the day and getting a healthy lunch. I am not going to shoot my whole day because of a candy...
I am going to go shopping tonight and I am wondering if anyone has like quick healthy recipes...or ideas of good foods to pick up...I want to change my eating habbits...any ideas....anyone....

Hey JAYA,

Try the Food forum--right here on 3FC! Lots of recipes! Just scroll down from the main forums page and you'll see it.

Jay