Hello Everyone,

My name's Claudette and I'm a mom of three boys two teenagers and one 9 year old, so here I am just a couple of days shy of 37 and suffering from stomach pain that comes and goes, so I'm thinking the worst! but after an ultrasound and endoscopy I was told by my GI doc I have an enlarged Liver..Due to You Guessed It! being overweight ok so maybe I've struggled my whole life with being a bit on the chubby side or a little heavy but not too bad.... Of course this is my own intepretation of what I think I look like. but im sure to others it was something else. Just those little phrases of admiting theres a weight problem make me feel awul and somewhat of a failure, and to enhance the problem Im a 44DD on top which only makes me look worse, for my height 5'1,

Brief history of my weight I am currently a size 14 was a 16 so perhaps im making small progress if any? Then again come those days of retaining water or perhaps not hitting the gym consistently and my jeans just fitting just a bit on the snug side makes those size 16 jeans more appealing to me.

In 2002 I went from a size 16 to a size 10 in less than a year, but honestly this was due to a police officer I dated who wanted to mold me into what he wanted some ideal looking gal with an hour glass figure. So I admit I fell for the oohs and ah's but a nice reality check smacked me back into place of course it was another year later before that happened. Just saying that sounds so sad doesnt it? Well it probably was and perhaps my self esteem back then needed some boosting? Who knows..

I guess what I'm saying is I did the weight loss for all the "Wrong" reasons, I seem to yo yo alot I stay consistant with the gym for 3 months or so see some slight figure changes, then fall right off the wagon all over again. I try and eat right then get tempted to eat junk.. Hard to fight off with teenage boys who's metabolism i must say is much much greater than mine!


I've always thought of myself as attractive, to my boys I'm the cool mom who doesnt dress like a nerd or embarass them in public who they think is cute...a little heavy or not, perhaps I never really thought I had a weight problem because I tend to cover it up with the clothing I buy, but then thats always the eye opener too when you your in the fitting room thinking your one size and reality is "Your Not" I would like to just be comfortable with me and work at a weight goal I know I can attain.

So I'm at my crossroad, I've come to realize I want to be a thinner me because of me, but also because I want to be healthy for myself and my boys. I am approximately 68lbs overweight. THERE I SAID IT! now its time to do something consistant about it. I hope that with this forum I'll get the support and encouragement I need to get me through this tough path. So any advice is welcome let the games begin!

Hi! and Welcome!

Lot's of people here are in similar situations.

I think the best reason to lose weight is to feel better. Looking better is a nice dividend of course, but if you feel good, and good about yourself it's easier to engage yourself in a lifestyle that will be supportive of a healthy weight. Sort of an upward spiral.

We all know the opposite is true.

Once you get down to a good weight you have to continue the lifestyle that got you there. Too many times have I lost most or ALL of my weight only to say, "Great I'm done!" just to fall incrementally back into my old patterns and slowly, mindlessly gain it all back.

So my personal philosophy is not to obsess on weight loss, but to embrace a healthy lifestyle that I can maintain forever and the weight will sort itself out. Still I do enjoy stepping on the scale and getting good results, but that's not the focus. Eating right and getting out and exercising is.

Lots of helpful folks here, start a diary it will help a great deal.

David

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