I read your posts and just wanted to let you know that 1) you are not alone and 2) you can do it! I'm 5'4" and when I hit 176 lbs I decided that was it. I was tired of it and I wanted my body back. I, too, am a Mom and I also decided that I needed to lose the weight in order to be healthy and be around for my kids as they grew up. I am also closing in on that 4-0 landmark and would like to see my kids graduate from college!! They are 4 & 6 years old

Mine is a "partial" success story. I lost 20 lbs. with the help of a good diet, regular exercise and the support of some wonderful people I met online. But that was over a year and 1/2 ago and now I'm seeing the scale inch back up and I'm terrified. I never did reach my goal of 130 lbs. and now I'm seeing all my hard work slowly slip away and the holidays aren't going to help!

I wish you the best of luck in your weight loss journey and just remember, if you ever need to share, vent, cry, etc.... there's always somewhere here in the same boat and ready to help you row to success!!

Take care - Jenn

I was tagged! Here are 5 things about myself:
1. I have 9 tattoos.
2. I hate vegetables.
3. I am a leukemia survivor.
4. I am the youngest of 7 kids.
5. I am working on my BS in psych.

Cool - you got 9 tattoos?!?!

I just got my 11th a couple of weeks ago - they are soo addicting. I got a butterfly bracelet around my wrist as my 10th one to officially welcome myself in the world of freaks - lol. It was my first one that can not be easily hidden with a t shirt or a pair of pants.

whats up cathy, Danny here.

i kno how it feels to be around kids while being fat as a duck in a truck if you catch my drift. I cannot stand being so huge and i want to have a life changing expernce to accomplish my work and better and feel good doing it, and around the little kids. i mainly want to set a good example for my future lil cuzes down here.

I wish you luck in your endevoar Cathy may god bless u.
-danny

Cool Tattoo RubyRed!!! My husband gave me all but 2 of mine. They are amazing. He is awesome! I want to fill my back, which is extra incentive to lose weight. I want them to look as cool as they can.

Captain Danny - thanks for the wise words! Best of luck to you on your endeavor to not look like the duck in the truck. That's cute.

So, I need to eat better...but I am soooo picky. I don't like most veges, I was told that fruit has too much sugar to eat a lot of it, but if I don't eat fruit, then I'll grab something worse for me. I am a huge lover of bread, crackers, potatoes, all the good comfort foods. I don't know how to change what I put in my mouth. I have begun to only eat when I am hungry instead of when I am bored or because it's "time" to eat. That is helping. I am giving the serotonin time to kick in and the dopamine time to subside by eating more slowly, which allows me to recognize when I have had enough, before I overdo it!! So, I feel as if I am making some progress, but I feel as if there are still so many things I have to change and sometimes it's just overwhelming. I haven't weighed myself in days, which is incredible for me. I am just going by how I feel. This is all so hard for me!! But I really appreciate all of the encouraging words from everyone. This site is awesome.

Hi there to the skinny mum Cathy, the fat one is going for good this time, you can do it sister,it's time for YOU, it's time to find things that you enjoy besides eating. I think we all like food here and like to eat. But I find that when I get preoccupied with other enjoyable activities I don't have the thought space to obsese over food. I still plan meals but am not thinking about food between meals as much. Do you like craft or any sports, I reccomend that you persue an activity that you enjoy.See how you go. All the best from Suzy

Also you said that you feel overwhelmed by it all. I felt like that too. And found that I just could not do it all at once, [and I think this is the downfall of many dieters]What I did was I did it gradually it really does work, especially when your addicted to bad eating behaviors. I started with beakfast and tried to find ones that were healthy and filling, then when you've got the breakys downpat, then go to the lunches, and dinners. It may take months to get there but if you set small realistic goals and stick with them . You will win and it will be lifelong changes that you are making. I hope this has helped you. I also have 9 tattoos from my younger days, I am 41 now. And don't want anymore I'm over it now. And I am a 5th kid of 6 .God bless as you continue your weight loss journey!! from Suzy