HI my name is Erika and I am from NY.

I have always been overweight but since having my 3 kids in just 4 years I am heavier then I ever have been.

I have never been successful in dieting. I have lost 10-15 pounds here and there but I have never been happy with where I am. I spent most of my adult life at about 175 pounds, after my last daughter was born a year ago I was just about 200 pounds. This time it has not come off easily. After my last 2 I went back to 175...still not where I would like to be but at least it was a little better then where I am now.

I think the link that has been missing each time is support. My DH is wonderful but he is overweight too so we tend to be bad for each other in weight loss. And I don't have any friends that need to loose like I do.

I am praying that I will find the friendship and support here! Thanks for reading!

Hi Erika! As you know, when you have little ones running around, it is so easy just to eat whatever is the quickest and most convenient. Usually those foods are not the healthiest for you. Also, it's a stressful time, so you may find yourself seeking comfort in the food. But it's clear that you don't want to weigh 200 lbs. If 175 is what you are comfortable with, you can be back there before you know it! And if you want to weigh less than that, you can do that too! You just have to make up your mind, and I assume that's why you've come here, so good for you! So read lots on the healthy way to lose weight, not with any gimmicks or severe calorie cuts, but rather what it takes to keep your metabolism burning at a high rate. Also, set mini-goals that will feel much more easily attainable and will give you cause to celebrate often! I know you can do it!

Thanks for the welcomes girls! I guess my first goal is 175...definatly not my long term goal though! I don't even know where I want to be. I put in my S/C/G 140 but I don't even remember what it feels like to be 140! So maybe it will be lower then that.

Thanks for the 21 day challenge link, off to check it out!

Welcome! I think there are some great people here who are so very encouraging.

hi erika i'm a newbie and a mum of seven and i think i have spent most of my married life trying to loose weight and have always failed but now one of my sons is getting married and i really have a goal i'm from belfast in ireland and we tend to talk in stones rather than pounds so forgive me if i under estimate my weight i think its around 210 lbs which is around 15stone 7 lbs i find the support i find on the forum priceless like you i have great family support but my hubbie in particular tends to tell me things that he knows i want to hear (bless him ) and not what i need to here so keep going and i'm sure we'll all get to our targets together

Hi Erika and welcome to 3FC.

I'm sure all of you know by now that regaining is verrrry common. Join the crowd! We can help each other learn how not to do that again.

Have you done some reading in the maintainers forums? I really like the internet and weight loss support and I've not found another website that provides support in this way. We have members who have sustained their losses for years! Very encouraging