Need to Lose Weight !!!

Wow if I didn't know any better I would think I wrote this. Before my son I was 125 and had never struggled with my weight. So when I got pregnant with my son I ate anything and everything in my sight thinking it would be fine. I was wrong. I gained 55 pounds. I was able to lose a little this year and got down to 155, but it was hard. I lost 25 pounds, but it was a lot of feeling hungry and working my butt off excersising (which I hate!), but it was the only way I saw results. Good luck to you!

I think weight watchers is a really good program. It's not that expensive, and you get a lot of support... which can be very important. Also, just cutting out sugar goes a long way. I did that for a while and lost a lot of weight.

Sommer,
A lot of really stupid people think if they are mean about our weight it will make us want to lose it. These same stupid people really believe that it's just as simple as pushing away from the table. If they haven't been overweight, they don't understand. It's not like giving up beer or ciggy's. People don't need those to live. I know lots of people that have stopped drinking and smoking cold turkey. We can't stop eating and it's harder to make wise eating choices everyday for many months on end.

BUT!!!! It doesn't matter how stupid or mean they are. The truth is, there is no easy way. I've struggled for over 10 years and for the last 8 of those years I've stayed in this one place bouncing between 210 to 220 pounds. I HATE writing those numbers. I think about every bite that goes into my mouth. When I'm good I expect the scales to change but they don't. When I'm bad I promise to be good later today. I never ruin whole days because I allowed myself a treat. I get right back on. BUT, I still have to do more.

Soooo I have tried every type of exercise known to man. I've joined the expensive gyms, worked out until I've inflamed every major muscle group. I have injured myself so many times it's terrible. I have fibromyalgia too so it's not so simple as to say that I just have to stay consistent and work smart. Even swimming is at times dangerous for me. I just keep trying.

I finally had it last week. I went to the doctor armed with a list of all my diagnosis. And I've been diagnosed with TONS of things. GRRRR... Most of these things would not go away if I lost weight but losing weight would relieve the symptoms. So I started Phentermine this last week. Today will be day 7 on it.

It's been a good week. It took the edge off the cravings and helped me to eat slower and I've been able to get the portions down easier. But sad to say I think my body is already getting used to it. The first few days food seemed really repulsive to me. Then after day 4 I could eat but just not a lot. Yesterday I was hungry, really hungry in the morning and a couple more times. Today I haven't taken it yet but my first thoughts were about food when I got up. So I can't say that it is going to help a lot or not. But I joined the phentermine site and there are a lot of people on there that have lost as much as 30 pounds their first 2 months. I don't know that I'd stay on it that long. I'm not happy about taking a controlled substance.

Sommer, you need to do this for you and you need to find what works for you. BUT just know that you do NOT look anything near as bad as anyone says. I look at the pictures of myself back when I weigh what you do and I looked GREAT! But my husband had me convinced I was a cow. So when I looked in a mirror I believed I was. But now I'd love to weigh 170 again and I'd divorce him if he had the nerve to say it again. He knows it too! After weighing over 200 for 10 years, I don't think he'd be that stupid again.

Suzi

Wow you just described my body completely! I have had 3 kids and have what I finally got diagnosed as Distasis Recti. (Don't know if I spelled it right) Anyway, I did some research on the topic and found out I am not alone!!! DR (as they call it) is fairly common in women who have had multiple births. More so in multiple C-sections like myself. With my 2nd I had it a little but I went to physical therapy and it made it better. This time it is so large that Physical Therapy wont help and could cause more damage and astrangulate my intestine. Ok so here I am and I have been to several Dr's including a Plastic Sergeon who told me it would be $5400 which is still unacceptable when I am not wanting to look good in my bikini but rather not look pregnant and fit into regular size clothes. I was 115lbs myself before kids. So the last couple of Dr's said if I develop a rash under the extra skin I have Insurance will pay for a Tummy Tuck and take care of my other issue, the D.R. Anyway I am now hoping for a rash. Ok as for the weight loss, I've tried a lot also and I gained 75 lbs on top of the 40 I was overweight from the last pregnancy when I got pregnant again. I still have 35-40 lbs to go. Every Jan I get serious about weight loss and loose a bunch of weight. I manage to keep the wight off through the year but really don't loose much more after the inital weight loss period. Last year I lost 50 lbs. This year it will be at least 30. Hopefully more. So I found the YMCA to be a great place to not only work out but meet people with the same stuff going on in my life as theirs. I work there also now and love it. I go to the O'fallon Mo one. It is a great place and has great activities for kids and the best part is they don't turn anybody away. They will give schollarships and really do help people. They have child care and swim lessons and dance lessons and karate ect. It's great! I have met so many people there and found my best friend there...who has recently moved so that may explain for the long winded responce he he. Anyway I hope I have helped you and please feel free to write back. I totally know what you are going through! I am too!!!

-M. A.

Check out Sparkpeople.com. There is a ton of information on the site, super support/community and best of all it's free! Good luck and remember, you aren't alone!

Sommer,
I know you have probably heard this before but the best way to lose weight is to change your eating habits as well as adding exercise. You also need good people around you that support you and hold you accountable. I joined a gym and worked out on my own for a while and had a little success. Then a joined a group fitness class with 4 other women. We work out with a trainer once a week and weigh once a week. We meet each other during the week or work out on our own. It has really helped. I would definitely look into a gym and trainer. Another great option for diet is weight watchers.

Hi Sommer,
How are you? Have you heard of the body magic? It's a weightloss garment that will drop you 2-3 sizes in 10 minutes and help you loss weight. Don't believe me? See it for yourself on my website. www.dropupto3sizesin10mins.com
It's been featured on NBC, ABC, fox2, and numerous other talkshows and news broadcasts. Check out this link www.youtube.com/ardysslasvegas
Let me know what you think,
V.

Hi Sommer,

Yes, it's so hard to lose weight after kids. The method I recommend is controlling your blood sugar levels. You eat all through the day. It does work. The book I've used is Miracle Diet. It's an old book. You probably can get on Amazon. Its set up you eat 1/2 hour when you get up for breakfast. Carb and protein - then 2 hours later snack nothing sugary - veg fruit, then another two hours later and you can't eat lunch past 1:00 pm. Then you're next snack is 3 hours later. Then dinner a healthy regular dinner and you can't eat anything past 7-8 pm.
It does work - I also watch my carb intake.

Sommer....I know exactly what you are going through...losing weight is SO hard!!! First of all...you have to really decide in your mind AND in your heart that YOU want to lose weight!!
Dont buy into any of the weight loss gimmicks that are out there on the market. There is no magic pill that is going to make pounds "melt away"....the only thing that will disappear is your MONEY!!! The secret is....burn more calories than you eat...it is as "simple" as that!!!
The 2nd thing you need to do is be very frank with your family members....tell them that they are sabotaging you by telling you how fat you are. You already KNOW that...what you need is support...from your husband, your parents, your siblings.
I am a member of a really fabulous weight loss website here online.... it is called Spark People and it is absolutely FREE!!!! Check it out and see what all it has to offer...there are exercise suggestions, recipes, fabulous support groups from every walk of life that you can possibly imagine. They have an easy way to track your calories and they even help you decide how many calories a day you should be eating,based on your age, exercise and weight loss goals. It isn't a "diet" it is a "lifestyle change". You have to learn a completely new way of thinking. I lost almost 50 lbs but then got really frustrated with myself about a year ago and have slowly put about 20 lbs back on....I am currently in the process of "getting back on track" and my friends on Spark are being very supportive as I struggle with it.
Taking control and being positive are two of the key ingredients so it sounds to me like you are already on the right track!!!
I am not sure where you live, or how old your girls are, so I am not sure what to suggest about exercise. If you could find a friend who would be willing to swap baby sitting times with you...maybe you could start as simply as going to a local mall and walking for an hour or so...a couple of times a week. When the weather is nicer then you could start walking outside. The local Y usually has some reasonably priced opportunities...and maybe they would even provide child care at a reasonable price.
Good luck and hang in there ...you CAN do this!!!

Hello, Sommer.

I am having the best success with Weight Watchers. I had been getting heavier and heavier ever since I put on the "freshman fifteen" and that has been 18 years ago now. I ALWAYS swore that no matter what, I would NEVER let myself get over 200 lbs. (Not including when I was pregnant.) Well, it happened. In fact, I weighed more than I did just before I had my daughter almost 5 years ago. I hated how I looked and wasn't really loving myself either. My daughter loves to be active outdoors and play sports and I was finding that I miss playing basketball, so am very excited that she likes it. However, my body does not like me playing sports. It wears me out.

Scary day arrived. My doctor had me do the full barage of tests for a really good physical. It had been forever since I had one. I was having a lot of pain in my neck and into the right side of my head and I was miserable. Every day and even with tylenol it wouldn't stop. Well, results showed arthritis in my neck, back and hips, I am pre-diabetic, and I have high cholesterol. Reality is, I suspected all of this, but suspecting it and KNOWING it, are two different things. In addition, I have a polycystic disorder in my ovaries. Alot to take in one day.

Well, I started looking for help seriously. Ironically, a couple of months before that, I had sent out an email to the 6 females that I am closest to, asking for their thoughts and advice. A couple of them have also struggled with the same issue as I and have lost weight. I had made a few changes, but not enough to do anything on my own. But it was a start and it really helped to have their support and to have someone that I am accountable to. One had been doing Weight Watchers for awhile, and was so happy with her decision to do that. She convinced me to go check out a meeting. So, I did and I joined that night. Even though she lives in IN, while I live here in MO, we check in with each other after our weigh-ins and it really helps to have someone doing it with me albeit long distance.

Honestly, I don't know what did it, but I think that my whole attitude about weight loss has changed. It doesn't feel like a negative to me anymore. I do the Flex Points (but they also have the Core Plan-no counting points) and since starting with Weight Watchers, the 2nd week of October I have lost about 14 lbs and since my scary doctors appointment, I have lost 18 lbs. I have almost met my first three goals, to stick with Weight Watchers for 16 weeks to see if it will work for me, to lose 10% of my starting weight and to weigh less than 200 (this one I've met). I am almost down 2 dress sizes, I am down a bra size and I am down a shoe size. It is not noticeable really yet, other than my clothes fit better and my face and neck are beginning to slim down. I am so proud of myself, because when I first sent out that email to my friends back in June, I never really thought I could do it.

I have kept the six of them informed of my progress and have added a few more to my list. My mom and sisters. Like I said, it is a way for me to hold myself accountable and I get support from them as well. Another thing that helps is it is something that I am controlling. Everything else in my life is chaos right now, but this, I hold the control.

I still have a long way to go, but I actually believe I can do it now and seriously, THAT is 1/2 the battle. It really is. I still don't exercise much, but I am more active than I used to be. I mostly stretch, walk, lift 2 lb weights for some strengthening and use resistance bands. I also have an exercise ball that helps with stretches, which is helpful because of my back and I love to bounce up and down on it while watching tv. Silly I know, it's the kid inside of me, but it also is cardio and it strengthens the legs. I do plan to join a gym, but can not afford the one I want to join. It has a bunch of different classes that I want to take.

Weight Watchers is really just about awareness and changing how you eat. It isn't even about cutting out anything, just about moderation. I personally have to cut out items or just substitute them, because I have the pre-diabetes and high cholesterol to worry about, but I still have McDonald's occassionally and I still have pizza, just not in the amount or as often as I used to. It is working, I just need to add more activity to what I am doing and "look out world, introducing a new me!"

Your Grandma sounds like mine. It took me a long time to figure out that my Grandma, was really concerned about me and my health, she just didn't know how to verbalize it in a way that showed that. It ALWAYS came across as tactless, abrupt, negative, and it was very hurtful. But I think that just comes from how she was raised. Now that I get it, her comments do not bother me so much anymore. Somewhere along the line, she stopped commenting on my weight, but there are other comments.

I wish you the best of luck at getting control back in your life and with your weight loss goals. If you have any questions about weight watchers, you can certainly send me a message. Also go to their website: www.weightwatchers.com, there is a spot to enter your zip code and it will list the time and locations of meetings in your area. I also am on the plan that includes the e-tools which I find very helpful. My friend does not use the e-tools she tracks the points/activity in a log.

Good Luck and God Bless!

Sommer,

I know it's been a while since your request, but I wanted to reiterate the Sparkpeople.com suggestion. It's an amazing FREE website with a wealth of INFORMATION and SUPPORT. I lost 30 lbs recently and still log in all my food daily and get exercise videos of the fitness section. There are local groups on there as well as for those with specific amount of weight to lose or in certain cercumstances or even for those who love a special T.V. show. I have tried so many different plans in the past and this is the best "lifestyle change" program I've seen. It teaches change not diet and in healthy ways. It also builds you up.

Good luck in whatever you do, you deserve it!

Melanie

Hey Sommer...

I agree with what Yumi said...Depo is horrible. I used it 14 years ago and had all the side effects she had. In those days it was the only birth control you could use and breast feed at the same time. I weighed 212 when my son was born, by the time he was 6 weeks old, I was down to 170 and on my way to getting the weight off. I started gaining weight, I went up to 220..I, too, am only 5'2". I was severely depressed and I did not want my husband to touch me either. My marriage ended during that time. I did not know until much later that it caused depression.

So, first and foremost STOP THE DEPO...go on a low dose birth control pill. I am a pharmacy tech, there are alot of good ones out there.

Second...I agree with the statement about SparkPeople, and if you belong to Facebook, they have something called WeightView...both are free. I have been very successful with Weight Watchers and if you do the online version, it is 16 dollars a month.

Third...get moving...exercise. I love Leslie Sansone's Walking Away The Pounds Videos. They are easy and work. You sweat and burn calories. You can do them inside, and with little ones around. If you are lucky enough to get to go to a gym wonderful, but if not this is an excellent option.

Fourth...drink water...drink water...drink water...Your body needs it. Since I do Weight Watchers, I NEVER drink anything that would count as points. I drink 0 calorie drinks.

Good Luck to you...

The "trick" to losing weight is diet and exercise, but you already new that. My suggestion is that for the diet part, go to www.mypyramid.com, you will get a LOT of help with a varied, balanced diet.
As for exercise, anything is better than nothing. Go online and look at exercises that use your own weight, situps, squats, pushups. You can do them all at home with NO equipment. Walk, skip, run, dance for some cardio.

One of the best ways to take care of your family is to take care of yourself. Be strong, be healthy, be happy! It's a tough journey, but it will worth it.
Good luck.

I actually read this yesterday. I found this site on MSN.com. Thought it might help. Good luck girl. I have 80 pounds to lose and an awesome boyfriend who is helping me...he's a health fanatic, haha. Anyway, I hope this site helps. God Bless!

http://health.msn.com/weight-loss/articlepage.aspx?cp-doc...

I am wanting to lose weight also. So I know how you feel. I was down to 135 when I was nursing my daughter and then I stopped and gained about 20 pnds in a month or so. I was not happy. So anyways. I am still battling with my will power to really lose weight. My mom went to Curves to work out and lose weight and she loved it. You don't have to worry about working out in front of a bunch of people staring at you like you are gross. Everyone is there for the same reason.
Good Luck and don't worry about your family. Just stay focused.
N.

I had the same problem. Same weight as you too! I used Phentermine. Great if you want to lose weight but dont be fooled. There are many many side effects! Nausea, dizzyness, drymouth (terribly), insomnia, rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, headaches, and depression and anger. I was only informed about the physical side effects, not the psychological ones! I was shocked when I found out why I was so angry all the time! I ended up in therapy! My family commented on how short tempered I was all the time and how I just seemed to have this rage in me that wasnt there before. I really felt myself spiraling out of control and had no clue what was wrong with me. On the plus side I did lose about 35 lbs! I went from 160 to 125. I feel like myself again but the psychological scarring is still there. Im better now but not back to my good ol self as far as anger and depression go. This is a great last resort but be warned of the dire consequences that you may experience. Good luck, only you can chose what's right for you!

Hi Sommer. I was on Jenny Craig. Its expensive but it taught me what portions really look like. I was 160 when I started. Im 5'2". I lost 20lbs. But I like beer to much and I didnt like making 2 dinners. I will save you all the money. Everyone is right. WATER. but besides that, portion control. Eat off of salad plates that is all you need. Your body only needs that much. Eat breakfast snack lunch snack dinner desert. everyday. 1200 calories. And thats right, calories in calories out. YOU HAVE to exercise. Whether it is just taking a walk. you can work up to other things. I workout 4 to 5 times a week. but they say 3 is fine. There is no magic pill. I know so many people that have taken the diet pill as soon as they stop they gain everything plus back. There are "free foods" that you can eat. raw veggies, ff jello, pickles, salsa. etc... once your body gets used to eating less you will be fine. I buy baby carrots and eat those like crazy. I eat them with salsa. good. you will be hungry at first but then you will be fine. just make good choices what you eat it will become habit. It takes 21 days for a habit to stick. so try for 21 days and you will succeed. I still need to lose 20lbs but I wont give up. and Im 41. Your young you can do it. Show those family members and you can say "HA LOOK AT ME NOW". good luck

You can even do Weight Watchers on-line and not have to attend meetings. My daughter-in-law did that so she could get into her wedding dress. The point system is very easy to use and you can even eat out. Your family, sorry, but they're a bunch of jerks! The last time my mother said anything to me about my weight (it was when I was about 18, and she told me that if I kept eating I was going to weigh 300 pounds), I told her that if she ever said another word to me about my weight, I would never speak to her again. She knew I meant it, too. To this day (I'm 54), she gives me encouragement when I lose weight, but otherwise keeps her mouth shut. Your family has no idea how much damage they are doing to you and their relationship with you. Make them read this, and I'll say it right here: Somebody needs to kick their butts!!!!! Good luck and try to rise above.

Well, I can totally relate. I have been stuck at 174 lbs since my last child was born. Fourteen years later, here I am still over weight. I am totally addicted to the show "Biggest Loser", very inspiring for me. I don't like to go to the gym, even though I have a membership. No one likes to go alone. I started just walking in the neighborhood while the weather was nice, now it is too cold. That gets lonely, too. All I can say is visualize your workouts or walks with someone in your past or GOD, or whatever. It kinda helps me if I am working out or walking, that I am going towards something. Like my DAD, who passes away 4 years ago, or my mother in law, who passed away 3 years ago. Just make yourself available to all possibilities, You are worth it and you can do it!

I don't know if your girls are in school or not but yoiu could attend a gym where they have an area for them to play while you work out. They would love it! I know yoiu are embarrassed now about your size but if you don't take control now and go then you will never go. Just think how great it would be to lose the weight and walk into the gym where everyone can see how far you have come and what you have accomplished! Also, have you tried Weight Watchers? I have had great success with it. You can pretty much eat anything you what and you don't starve. How ab out some workouts at home like WII FIT? It is great exercise and fun at the same time! I would suggest waiting to start anything new until after the holidays so you don't get frustrated! Best of luck!

First of all - good luck! This is a long road you are on. But, try to imagine it like Dorothy on the yellow brick road...just one step at a time will get you all the way to the Emerald City (and at least you don't have to walk it in red sparkly heels!)

You have received a lot of great advice on here. Not sure where you live, but if you are in St. Louis, I suggest that you check out Club Fitness. For just $15-20 a month, you can access nice clean gyms. This fee also covers childcare and group classes! Group classes will be great for you...say hello to your classmates and your instructors. You can make new friends and some cheerleaders/coaches on your weight loss journey. I am also going to put a big plug in for the mind/body/fitness classes such as yoga and pilates. These classes will target your core (tummy area) and also provide you with a great relaxation and stress lowering opportunity.....so necessary when you have little children to look after!

I joined Weight Watchers two years ago and was almost at goal weight when I stoped nursing. I was at 210 lbs when I joined and now I am at 160lbs. I am bad because I do not excersize. Also do not think of it as a diet think of it as a life style change because you are changing the way that you might have eaten to try to eat more healthy foods. That is one of the things that Weight Watchers does preach on. You can find a meeting place close to you or do it by your self on line at www.weightwatchers.com Hope this helps some. I have 15 lbs to go to get to goal.

Talk to your doctor about a pill called Adipex. I used it and lost 50 ponds! changed my diet cold turkey and went without any meat for the first month, and then slowly added them back in. I took it for about 5 months and then had to stop due to a car accident. Anyway, the point is that I had tried other things and nothing worked. The medication helps boost your metabolism and sheds alot of the baby weight. I only had 1 pregnancy and there was 2 of me hanging around! It is only about $25 a month so cheaper than the other pills you can buy. It is prescription only so you have to get it from your doc. A friend of mine started taking it and she to looks awesome. Now in no way could eiher of us wear a bikini again but just to have the baby weight gone makes you feel great about your self and the differece shows in about 2 weeks or so. Anyway, good luck to you and I hope you find something that works. E.

Hi Sommer!
We just bought an elliptical to help us loose weight, plus my husband made a calorie counting sheet so we can watch what we eat. If you like I can e-mail you our sheet & you can modify it to fit the foods you eat.
I am completely with you! I am 27, married & have 2 boys. I started out at 120 lbs. & was skin & bones. Then I had 3 kids, all by c-section: our first was a 28 week preemie so I was at the NICU all the time, our second was born at 36 weeks & died shortly after birth (stress makes you gain a lot of weight) & our third was 38 weeks. Now (7 years later) I am 160 lbs. & in a lot of my shirts I still look pregnant. I was also told by my dr. that the only way to flatten my belly is by tummy tuck.
We used to go to the YMCA & in 10 weeks on an elliptical I lost 10 lbs. (that is why we bought one) without drastically changing the way I ate.
With the calorie counting thing we are eating the same foods, but trying to practice portion control & limiting our intake to 1500 calories per day.

I don't know if any of this helps, but I just want you to know that there are other women who have the same problem!

God Bless!

I recommend Weight Watchers. If you join the online program, it is about $35 a month and you can attend as many meetings as you want in your area, or you can do the weekly pay at the meetings. The weigh ins at the meetings really helped me to stay on program. You will be able to lose a big chunk of your weight with out exercise. I recommend doing a little something though, just b/c it always made me feel better. I joined weight watchers after my first. I lost 60 lbs in about a year and a half (I did take some breaks from the program). The majority of that was without exercise. They teach you how much you should have, and how to eat the stuff you still want without blowing it. Eventually you will know what you need to do, and can do it on your own.

I understand your struggles.
I would suggest the Flat Belly Diet. It is from Prevention magazine. It has worked for me and did not require exercise which I don't have time for right now. It is pretty painless and can be adjusted for your lifestyle.
Good luck!

I am using Alli and it's working well for me. The unpleasant side effects are very temporary and occur ONLY if you eat more than 30% fat at a meal. If you are planning a special event where you are likely to overindulge in fatty foods, simply don't take a pill for that meal. It leaves YOU in control, which I like. I've lost 15 pounds so far, in about 8 weeks. I bought a 5-days-of-abs CD that takes about 6-8 minutes a day, and the results are good.

With regard to your family's remarks, next time you're told you're fat, don't giggle, look down, look mad, none of that. Look them straight in the eye and say, "Yes, I know" in a very flat tone. Don't continue on the subject. Do this as often as it takes.

Whatever method you choose, you CAN do this! I can't wait to see your update.

I haven't read your other responses, so I apologize if this a repeat. First of all, LOTS of water. At first you will be running to the bathroom a lot, but your body will get used to it after a couple of days. Also, when I was pregnant, my doctor told me that your brain is hungry for 20 minutes. So prepare your plate, and eat slowly. It really only takes about 10 minutes to eat a plate full of food, so normal people can get two plates in during that time! If you eat slower, your brain will tell your stomach that it is full. Lastly, and maybe most important, MINIMIZE fast food. The stuff is dangerous! :) Best of luck to you!

Sommer,
I hear ya, I need to lose about 20 pounds after having my first almost three months ago. I get discouraged too, but just keep pressing on. I am sorry your dad and grandma feel like they need to point that out to you, like you don't beat yourself up enough about it right? I had a brother that did that to me while growing up. It shaped how I felt about myself growing up (very self-conscious), and stills haunts me. Don't give up, you can do this! You sound determined, and if that is the case then you can do it!

B. S.

Hello, Sommer! I skimmed through your previous posts and it looks like you have gotten some great advise in there!! I was in your shoes at the beginning of the year. I had a baby last Christmas Eve (my third) and things were not going back at all. I knew I had to take action. So, last may, my husband and I got our income tax return and decided to invest in the health of our family. We joined our local community recreational center. We paid for the entire year up front and I can honestly say that was the best $555 I ever spent. My youngest was 4 months old and had colic when I started going. I would literally get about 10 minutes in and then get called out to get my baby because she would scream. I was overweight, couldn't get a workout in, and I just knew that I was eating what a normal person was eating! Well, I started to keep a food journal and what a shock that was. Hello! It was amazing how much more I was eating than I actually thought I was. I started actually reading my fitness magazines. One article stated that every lick, nibble, bite while cooking or off of your childs plate adds on an additional 25 calories. Let that one soak in for a minute. 25 calories does not seem like a lot, but when I started writing them down, it was adding up to another meal. My mental montra was...Is it worth the calories? Eventually the ladies at the gym knew me and my daughter by name because I was not going to give up. I went every day because 10 minutes was better than nothing! They finally asked if it was colic and when I told them yes, God bless them, they stopped calling my out! I was able to get in a workout without being interrupted. The ladies at the Stay 'N Play have become my friends. They look for me to come to the gym and when I haven't been for a few days, they ask me about it. Was I sick or one of the kids?? I go as much for the adult interaction as for the exercise. It was a long road (with plateau's that seemed to last forever before I would drop the weight again) but I did it. I am under my goal weight. You are worth it, Sommer. Your kids need a healthy mom that will be around for a long time. You can do it. You want to do it. When I went back to the gym after my last baby, I vowed that losing the weight would just be an added perk. I wanted to be healthy and strong. The same people are always at the gym. It is so easy to get to know them. If you would just start to go, I think that you'd be surprised. I had the best conversation with this old man for 30 minutes while on the stepper. Boy did the time fly by. Nobody knows that you are at your heavy weight but you. Hold your head high, and act like you're down 30 lbs and cannot wait to loose the rest - because it will happen. Nobody is looking at you. And if they are, they have some serious issues. A couple other things I want to add. 1. Make it fun. Find a reason to want to go. I personally love to read so I use the time on cadio equipment to read a novel (near impossible for me on a treadmill but works great on an eliptical, bike or stepper). 2. Don't be afraid to ask for help. There are a lot of good people in the world. If someone is doing something that you want to try, ask. Hey, you may make a friend. 3. Drink the water. It is so important. If you have to, write it down. You'll run to the bathroom the first few days, but I'm not kidding...it works! Try it! 4. Find someone, anyone, to check in with. A previous poster said that she does Weight Watchers with a friend long distance. It helps. My sister calls me almost every day while I am at the gym. She doesn't know it, but that is such motivation for me. When I call her back I can say, "Yes, I was at the gym!"

~chris

PS. As for your family calling you fat, try not to let them get to you. My grandma did it to me, I know how if feels. It hurts. Just remember that you are doing this for YOU and only YOU! Ok, maybe your kids, too. But not for Dad or Grandma. And in a year from now when you are smoking hot, you can think to yourself, "HA! Take that!"

Hi Sommer! I need to lose weight too! The only thing I found that helped is going to the gym. And dont let not having someone to go with stop you! I went with my sister in law and its hard flapping your jaws the whole time your trying to work out, its hard enough to breath, and then you have to talk? I would bring magazines with me or use the ones at the gym and read the articles, before I knew it an hour would go by. Reading really distracted me from how bad it sucked! I went about 3-4 days a week for an hour and was losing about 2 lbs a week. It was great to see results! I loved getting out of the house and having my own time. I just had a baby and I am miserable with myself. But my husband is laid off and we cannot afford a gym right now. =( Good luck!

Hi Sommer,
I know how hard it is being uncomfortable with your weight. Having people look at you differently, hating going to the store to the dressing room, not feeling like you. I would like you to check out Cinch. This is an amazing weight management system and truly works. There is a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee. I would also suggest joining spark people.com. Great Service. You are on the right path and the first step to losing weight. Congratulations and Good luck. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me. I have attached the cinch site for you to check out.
http://www.cinchplan.com/K.-Thomas

Something that helped me was the boxing gym. I am not sure
where you live, but there are several locations all over
St. Louis.

Hi Sommer. I too have had trouble losing weight. I eat right (almost always! :) and exericse 4 days a week and saw very little results. I even trained and ran a 1/2 marathon in October and managed to lose no weight! I saw the doctor and mentioned this (and a few other symptoms) and he checked my hormone levels. I am currently on bioidentical hormone replacement and he gave me a diet pill, which I am typically totally against, but it is working! It's Phentermine and I've lost 12 pounds in 5 weeks. It's wonderful. Although he said I could only be on it 1 more month because I only have 10 pounds to go. The most common side effect of this drug is an increase in blood pressure, so that has to be monitored monthly. I have had no problems at all. You may mention this to your doc. Good luck!
Jenn

I am sorry your family is not supportive, that is really sad. I am with you it is much easier to lose weight when you have someone who supports you and lifts you up. My suggestion is to join a smaller gym, like Curves, or down here we have a branch called Girlfriends. If even that is out of your budget, with the weather getting crummy, get the kids and the stroller and hit the mall and do laps. Drink bottled water, if you aren't a huge fan of water you can buy the drink mixes that go directly in the bottled water. I never liked diet drinks but now I am so used to them that I can't tell the difference. If you are opposed to the diet drinks buy whole fruit juice and mix it with sparkling water. Keep healthy snacks on hand ( even in your purse for on the go snacking) Keep a diary and list what you eat and why you eat. Be your Own cheer leader! Look in the mirror and tell yourself you love yourself and want to lose the weight so you can be healthier for yourself and your kids. All of us women need to stop thinking we aren't beautiful because we packed on a few pounds after we had a baby or two or 3 = ) I Just got on a pair of pre pregnancy jeans on Yesterday, and guess what my son is 17 months old. You didn't gain the weight over night and its not going to go away over night.

((((Hugs))) set small goals, don't get discouraged, put on some up beat music and bop around your house...it may take longer than you like but you can do it. And sometimes you can't get back to the weight you were before the baby, our bodies change our hips widen...but in the end the fact that we have these blessings that are our children are kind of worth it ( I think)
B.

I know this might be late getting to you as you have already responded back with letting us know what happen, but I wanted to offer you a simple and free option that I'm not sure was offered yet. It is called www.sparkpeople.com. It is a website that is free and you put in your measurements and your goals and it tells you what you need to do diet and exercise-wise to attain your goals. You can also sign up to receive daily emails with recipes and exercises to help you. I started with sparkpeople at the beginning of May and have lost 35lbs. since then. I have gone from 182 lbs. to 147 lbs. and dropped from a barely fitting size 16 to fitting into a size 10. It worked for me and it didn't cost me anything to try. Just an option I wanted to throw out there for you. Good luck!