41 tomorrow

So yeah, this is awkward. I guess I'll start with some raw honesty, since it's about time I am honest with myself. I have been heavy for about 15 years on and off. My weight fluctuated with babies, divorce, job, dating, ect. What drove it home for me to join this tonight is this... I was out with friends celebrating what will be my 41st birthday tomorrow, and a friend posted a pic of me from the gathering on facebook. I have successfully avoided cameras for a while....lol. Seeing the picture hit me in my heart. I am diabetic, overweight, and sedentary (last semester nursing school and tied to my desk). I want to see a slimmer pic of me in May when I graduate from Nursing School, and then I want to keep going. I've decided it's time to be a little selfish for me, I want it for me, because I deserve it..... if I work hard enough for it. Took me a long time to say that.... happy to be here with you all. I need all the support I can get.

Replies

  • 4realrose8
    4realrose8 Posts: 117 Member
    Welcome, I new here as well and close to your age. You can do this! :-)
  • vegan4lyfe2012
    vegan4lyfe2012 Posts: 1,239 Member
    I completely understand where you're coming from. A coworker posted pics on facebook from a luncheon and I was so embarrassed by how big I had gotten. I lost 60 pounds, but over the last couple years, I put 30 back on. I just turned 40 last month and am irritated with myself. I am determined to take control once and for all.

    I am here to be a friend, if you'd like. As my user name implies, I am vegan. However, I am friends with people of all eating choices and I don't judge.

    Hugs to you and congrats on taking that first hard step!
  • hi there I recently turned 50 and I think I deserve it as well I too am a diabetic since I was 14 and it gets harder and harder but movivation is the key
  • Wow, was filling out my profile, and flipped back to find all this inspiration already! Bear with me, I'm new at this, and easily entertained :-) Thanks everyone. I want to give my 42 year old self a great gift this time next year. A new me.
  • lisatrish
    lisatrish Posts: 123 Member
    Congratulations on taking the first big step in you journey. The biggest thing you can do to succeed is believe in yourself. My Mantra is "You're smart, you're beautiful and you can do anything!" I don't care if anyone else believes it - I do and that is what counts. Welcome to MFP.
  • HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! I recently turned 56. You can do this!:drinker:
  • ShredEdde
    ShredEdde Posts: 21 Member
    48 here….Happy Happy 41…Good luck!
  • Hey.... Your not alone!!!! You are NOT alone!
    And I think you came to the right place!

    I too have been going to school and tied to the books... put 20lbs on like it was nothing!
    Im here to take control of this and I am determined to do it!
    My goal is to be at my comfortable weight by the end of May.

    We can do this!!! We can!!

    Im here for ya!!

    Heather
  • besaro
    besaro Posts: 1,858 Member
    happy birthday
  • Sunshine2plus2
    Sunshine2plus2 Posts: 1,492 Member
    Hello and welcome! You can do this, good luck!
  • RebeccaJ0405
    RebeccaJ0405 Posts: 10 Member
    I'm a year behind you--happy birthday! I had a similar epiphany and MFP has helped me so much. You are not alone in this! If you want a friend, add me: casajones95.
  • jeffsweightloss
    jeffsweightloss Posts: 314 Member
    Happy bday! Welcome 2 mfp. Set ur mind 2 it an believe n urself. U can do anything u want as long as u believe u can. I know u can do it. Its a marathon, not a sprint. Some days will b better than others. Good thing about that..every day is a new day. Best of luck on ur journey. My diary is always open an I log daily. Good luck with school.
  • handyrunner
    handyrunner Posts: 32,662 Member
    good luck to you..there is plenty of people who will motivate you...but your doing this for the right reasons.. you.
  • Ya'll know how to welcome a gal!!! Thanks so much, the words "you are not alone" are what I needed, and I didn't even know I needed it until I read your kind words. And thanks for all the bday wishes. The motivation here is wonderful, so ready for this journey, and can't wait to pay it forward someday! Again, thank you so much.
  • LOL, small world Jeffery, I'm originally from Greenfield Ohio. I live in Virginia now, but I'm in Chili at least 3 times a year to meet up with my good friends who I used to work with at RCI.
  • Wow, what an inspiration!
  • Curlychip
    Curlychip Posts: 292 Member
    Happy birthday! I know exactly what you mean about fb photos....
  • I am just a few years older than you. I don't think it is selfish at all to take care of your health. Taking care of your health will allow you to be there more for the people you love and will allow you to continue to do the work that's important to you. I know that feeling of looking at a photo and cringing when I realize I have not obeyed the one chin per person rule :) I used to hide from the camera too. But I have learned that feeling bad about myself leads me to be consoled by my friends Ben & Jerry. So I have decided that I'm going to embrace that person in the mirror or the photos regardless of the number of chins. This time, it's not about weight loss or what I look like. It's about making changes that will create longer lasting health. I've got a lot I need to do in this lifetime. If you don't mind, I would like to send you a friend request.
  • tx_leigh
    tx_leigh Posts: 18 Member
    Hello, welcome, and Happy Birthday!!!
  • TheEffort
    TheEffort Posts: 1,028 Member
    Welcome to MFP and Happy Birthday.

    It's a process that may seem tough at first but is very rewarding when you reach your goal.

    Best of luck to you and feel free to add me.

    :smile: