Good luck on your journey! I also have about 175 pounds to lose. I have successfully lost 50 pounds on my own before but gained it back. I realize this time it's about changing my life FOREVER. Not just long enough to lose the weight. Baby steps lead to change. You can do it and so can I!

Hi everyone my name is Kris and I just turned 40.. right now my weight is at 375.. I have been in a deep depression for 8 years until recently.. I got a puppy which actually has helped a lot.. now I have to get up and out of the house to take care of her..8 years ago before the major surgery (which I know caused my depression) I was at 225 and happy, I made myself unattractive so men would not want to be with me.. well now I am on road to please myself and not someone else! I recently joined a gym and go 5 days a week and have started making better choices when it comes to food.. I know it won't be easy, but I know I am worth it!

Hi everyone. I'm Inky. I've been obese for as long as I remember. My mother made my clothes when I was a child because they didn't sell clothes big enough for me in the shops. I lost about 70lbs with weight watchers when I was in my teens and again when I was in my twenties, this time with the help of a nutritionist. Then I got depressed and gained all the weight back in six months. Five years later I topped out at 409lbs and my sister recommended MFP. I thought I'd give it a try. I was gaining 28lbs a year, thought I might try to lose that a year instead.

Anyway, today I reached 40lbs gone, that's 10% of my starting body weight gone! Lots more weight to lose.

I have a wonderful dog, who also really helps me with my depression and is my constant companion. I find it hard to get out of the house, but he is very patient and puts up with a lot. He has got lots more exercise in the last few months, and is much happier as well. I also have a lovely cat who likes to come for walks around the garden with me and my dog.

Good luck to everyone - we can do this!

Hi everyone! My name is Meaghan and I am a 33 year old stay at home mom of an almost 5 year old daughter and 16 month old son. I am a former teacher who resigned in October of 2013 to be at home with my children. I have had weight issues my entire life. I have been on several diets and lost quite a bit, but then would gain it right back. I met my husband in 2006 and he accepted me for who I was and loves me no matter what. During my pregnancy with my daughter, I was sick nearly everyday from months 3 to 7 and didn't gain any weight at all. My doctor said because of my weight that it was okay and monitored my daughter very closely. From months 8 till when I gave birth, I gained 20 pounds of fluids because I was slowly developing preeclampsia (?). After the birth of my daughter and my son, I lost 50-60 pounds because I just couldn't bring myself to eat. Everything made my stomach turn. People would tell me that's a great way to lose weight. I didn't think it was. I felt sick all of the time. When my appetite returned, so did the weight and then some. As of Monday, I weigh 358 pounds! YIIKKEESS!!!!! I made the decision that I wanted to be there for both of my children and for my husband, but also because I wanted to do this for me. I no longer have the excuse of I don't have time to exercise because I have papers to grade, I'm on the road for over an hour a day, I've had meetings, etc. No excuses anymore! This is a journey I have to do! I want to be a positive role model for my kids. I don't want them to struggle with their weight like I have done all of my life. I want to be able to run after them and be an active part of their day and their memories. This will be a long journey to get to my goal weight of 200 pounds. I know I will get there! I know we will all get there!