Hi, my name is Mistie and I am a sahm to 5 kids (ages 10, 7, 2 and 4 month old twins). Since staying home with my kids my energy level is subzero and I just grab whatever is handy to eat. And boy, do I eat!! I am hoping that joining this site will help me to shed the weight and motivate me to exercise. I know that if I continue to live the way that I am now, I will not be around to enjoy grandkids some day.

My dh isn't that big of a help to me when it comes to watching what I eat. He is always brining junk into the house (cake, doughnuts, cookies, pizza, etc) and I have absolutely NO will power! He did try to give me an insentive though. He told me that if I can get down to 140 he will give me $750 of our tax return to spend how I wish (no bill paying) and if i can get down to 135 he will give me an extra $50. That is great insentive, but he said I have to do it on my own, that he will not help me (and I can't join a gym, weight watchers, etc). I feel like I am being set up to fail, and that just makes me want to eat more!! ugh!

I just hope this forum will be enough incentive to get off my butt!

You can do it!! Get on the beach, and watch those lbs fall off...And you will feel so much better...We are here for you!! Welcome!!

Welcome to the Beach, Mistie! You have a handful taking care of five kids. This is a great way of eating but it does take time to lose safely and keep it off. Make sure you get the book and read the FAQ section of the forum. Our food list has been update more recently than the original version of the book. The new paperback may have the updates but I'm not sure.

For me it helps to go to the gym but I get you can get those babies out in a stroller and take them walking. Even walk at the mall if the weather isn't good. Ask you husband to keep the goodies he brings out of your sight so they don't tempt you. One thing I did is bought snack bags of chips for Halloween since those don't tempt me like chocolate does.

And keep coming here for support. There are some wonderful people here!

Hi Mistie!! You can do it!!!! You have come to the right place for great support and for awesome information to help keep you on track and motivated. I too want to see my kids grow up and see my grandkids (I have 3 little ones) and I need to make myself healthy. I am so sorry that your dh isn't more helpful or supportive in your efforts. Mine has been pretty good about whatever I need to do and he eats "bad" stuff away from home. We still have issues to do with my weight but we're getting through it.

$ is a good incentive but I know that once you get going your new energy level will also be a great boost to your motivation. Mine has gradually increase and it has really improved my mood and the kids have really noticed too. You can do it too!!!

Bug Hugs and Welcome!!!

Welcome Mistie! As you can see by some of our tickers, this way of eating really does work and in a healthy way! With a house full of children I'm sure you are very busy! Like Barb said, make sure you read the book and the Emergency Handbook for Phase 1 sticky... it will help set you up for success if you plan out your meals and snacks so you are not tempted, and will give you a sense of control! Welcome Welcome Welcome!!!

sahmto5 - I saw in the exercise thread that you were looking for family-friendly recipes. My family (DH and a toddler) loved the Taco Bake, various soups, and some of the recipes I modified, such as chili and Slow Cooker Cassoulet (which I posted under ph2, but really could be ph1 if you went light on the wine). Our favorite breakfast recipes were the southwestern eggs dish under the post titled "New Breakfast Treat" and the crustless lemon pie. We ate a lot of salads at lunch - Greek, taco, chef's, etc - and our favorite snacks were string cheese, raw veggies with hummus or ranch dip (watch for fat content and sugar - I made my own from a sugar-free mix), and hard boiled eggs. For dessert, we usually had sf Jello with Cool Whip Lite on top (I tried both CW Lite and CW Free, and I personally prefer the Lite - the Free tastes sweeter to me - either is okay on SBD). I hope this helps, although I know you and your family's tastes might be different from ours.

Welcome to the Beach, and good luck!

You just show your dh! You can do this, you aren't that far from your goal!!!!! This site is great and there are lots to help you!