Hello,

I found this forum today, and it looks like it might be helpful in my attempt to loose my unwanted weight, so I will introduce myself and see how it goes.

I am 25 years old and I have two kids (5 and 1). With my first it took almost 3 years to loose the pregnancy weight, only to get pregnant 4 months later. After I had my son, it took a week for me to drop to below what i was before at least in inches (didnt have a scale to weigh) and now I weigh more then I did when I was pregnant im sure (although I stopped looking at the scale after it hit 200). My current weight is 220lbs.

In september 07 we moved from Victoria BC to Port Alberni BC for my husbands work; only to find that there is not a whole lot to do here for. At least not for someone who is so badly out of shape.

About 2 months ago I had a miscarriage at 6-8weeks and it caused me to have some major reflections on my self, and what I wanted out of life. I wasnt even sure I wanted the third baby. I barely have enough energy to entertain the two I have let alone a third. I realized that I want to have the energy to run around with my kids. I dont want to be on anti-depressents forever, and how fun would it be to get to shop in any store in the mall, put something on and have it fit with no problems.

So in short, my lifestyle needs to change. I have gotten my husband on board, and he is actually participating in the biggest loser contest through his work. He is a tough one though, he loves his food...very difficult to get support cause he gives in so easy. I realize if I want to do it I have to do it myself, and thats fine.

We have both quit smoking going on 7-8 weeks and we have been attempting to walk every day weather depending...(our son gets pnemonia easily so we dont like to take him out in the cold). I have gotten myself an exercise ball and try to do that once a day, if the kids will let me have it. Its difficult to get to a gym (no money and no daycare). I have also increased our vegetable and fruits, trying to pay attention to all the food that we eat each day... cutting out the crap.

Basically I am hoping to get ideas and maybe some healthy recipes from this site.

Wow what a rant, but I guess thats it for me...

First of all you can do this with out a gym.
I have lost 42.2 pounds from walking for the past year.. so you can do this.

Next I am too on meds... Effexor is one, but the one that makes me gain weight is klonopin. So I am fighting against that. Its takes oz by oz to lose ..but you just can never quit ..sometimes you have set back ..and other times you are full of a lot of motivation. I know my depression has made it hard in the past to lose weight. Just think of it this way. Everyday you exercise you are raising your seretonin level ..and the more you do the higher it will go .. I feel so good after a walk ..and all you have to start is with ten minutes and slowly increase how much you walk, and than the intensity .. just take your time building yourself up ... it will happen .. your feet might hurt at first .. I am finding now walking is too easy for me and I have to start jogging when it goes into the fifties ..cause I can't do it now, because the cold air would be hard to jog in ..just walking this morning My throat hurt from the cold dry air ..but you can do this!

I dont even use a gym and I am doing it. I can't afford a gym. You want to start a diary, so people like me can listen to your rants, your updates and support you in your journey to a healthier and thinner you ..

but anyway
I hope you have a good day
and I look forward to writing in your diary
and you might want to look for the 200 club ..its very supportive ..trust me ..its awesome ..

best wishes
always
natalie jo

Thanks for your support, I will check out that 200 club.

I doubt i'll be much use to you now but I find it handy to think about what im going to eat next..
Stay away from frozen ready made meals even if they are for weight watchers. The amount of salt and god knows what else in it is unreal..
Eat less white flour, opt for wholemeal where possible. It releases insulin that tells the brain your still hungry when you're not.
When peckish snack on sunflowers seeds and water in the evening. They are great to make your hair shiny and help boost mood levels.
Em... oh try not to over cook foods, you'll need all the nutrients you get and when you over cook vegetables the nutrients are lost. 2-3 minutes steamed or stir fried its all thats needed.
I have to just say i know it will never help completely but you will find that a diet high in nutrients and exercise can really help you boost your mood level, even a small bit. I found it did with me. I just felt healthier.
I don't know if i helped much but i do feel the little things matter.

Good luck!!

xXx

Hey there!
I really liked when you said "I realize if I want to do it I have to do it myself, and thats fine." Making it up in your mind to lose the weight is the hardest part. It was easy for me to tell other people I was going to lose the weight. And that's all it was, talk. When I finally got my mind set that enough is enough and I wanted to get the weight off, that's when things finally clicked. I wish you all the luck on reaching your goals, and hope the lbs just melt off! Keep your chin up!

Thanks for the tips... we dont by frozen meals because they are way to expensive. I have been reading labels like crazy lately, just cause i have never really cared before.. and its insane how many calories some things have.. Our supermarket has a "blue menu" in the cheaper brand of foods which is nice, I try to get that when I can, its actually kind of crazy the difference in calories between the name brand and the blue menu, and there really isnt much difference in taste... now just have to wait and see if it makes a difference.. its only been a couple weeks and I have slowly been incorporating it into our diet.
sunflower seeds is a great idea.. I am totally a snacker.. could eat a whole bag of chips and not even phase me.. Always looking for snacking tips..