Ok I have been on here for a little while and I think it is now time to start my diary.

Just to start out....

I am 35 years old, almost 36 I am married and I have 5 children who range in age from 6mo. to 12 years. I have been overweight my entire life and obese for most of my adult life. I don't remember when the first time was that I dieted. I just remember the comments from family members and complete strangers. I lost weight a few times in my life...once when I started college...most people gain the freshman 15, well I lost 20 pounds. Mostly because I didn't have the money to buy junk food and because my dorm room was the furthest out and I walked everywhere. I gained it back eventually. I lost again when I met my husband. I was in love and of course we don't like to eat(a lot) in front of our new loves. So I lost about 20 pounds then. Gained it back when the relationship got more serious and comfortable. I have been to weight watchers a couple of times. It is a great program and I lost 89 pounds on it. It took me a long time to lose it, but I thought that was it, I will get to goal and will not gain it back. I wanted another baby and it just wasn't working. I actually got pregant, but I miscarried. I tried for a whole other year. Still nothing. I was exercising hard and that is probably why it wasn't happening. So, I ended up gaining ALL of the weight back...and of course I get pregnant. So there I was 2 more babies later and I was 277.5 pounds. I contemplated going back to weight watchers, but I decided not to. So far I have lost 36.1 pounds, all on my own. I actually feel better doing this on my own. With WW I felt horrible and guilty if I went off plan for an hour or a day. So when I ate something bad I would just eat more bad stuff thinking "What the heck...might as well eat bad for the rest of the day". But, with me not having to stick with a regimented plan I feel it is OK to have a small peice of cake on my son's birthday. As long as I stop there.
Unfortunately I have not started exercising yet. But I can feel my body wanting to. It is just not happy anymore sitting around. It wants to get up and move.

I have been posting some on other areas of this website and I have to say that I am so happy with all the people and all the help and encouragement they give on this site. THANKS!
Cathy

Hello TeamMate! Firstly, congratulations on your weightloss to date! I too have done WW and considered going back, but figure I already have the tools, and can get the support here. As far as exercising goes, start off with little steps, like parking further away in the parking lot, take the stairs instead of the elevator etc. just to get your body in motion I look forward to competing in Halloween challenge as a teammate!

Hi Cathy,

Congrats on starting a diary!! and congrats on the weight loss so far!! You will get all the support you need here.
I am part of the Halloween challenge also and we are in the same team!! I also have a 2 yr old daughter and still losing the babyfat.. LOL.
Looking forward getting to know you and help you any way I can.
Good luck on your journey!!
Hajni

Thanks for the kind words. I am excited to be with you both(and our other teammates) on our quest to win the challenge. I will start exercising now because I want those points for the team. I also want to say congratulations to both of you on your weight loss. I am so excited...1 more day!
Cathy

Howdy FAT2FIT,
Congrats on your weightloss so far that is a great start!!
My story is simalar I have been heavy pretty much of my life and I have 4 kids ages 17 months-9 years! I wish ya luck in the challange and your goals,Tammy

Thanks Tammy! You did a great job putting this challenge together. I feel honored that you chose to use my suggestion for a team name(Texas Scale Massacre). Good luck on you weight loss, you have done an excellent job so far.
Cathy

P.S. How do you add a phrase or sentence after your ticker. Mine keeps saying it is to big of a signature. I just want to add halloween challenge at the bottom of my sig.
Thanks for the help!

Well done loosing 36.1 pounds so far, great effort, welcome to the forum and great work starting a diary.

Thanks Tru!

Hey There! I came by to say congrats on joining the Birthday Challenge. I look forward to seeing you reach your birthday goal!!! Nice to meet you.

I have not written in my diary in a long time. I think I need to take the next step and use this daily to help me be accountable. I have also decided to add pictures in the before and after section. So go take a look if you would like.
Tomorrow the 26th I will start writing what I eat. Hope everyone who comes here to read this had a great Christmas.
Cathy

MERRY CHRISTMAS to you too!!!

btw---great weight loss!!!!!

x