Hello

My name is Tara and I am here looking for support on my weight loss journey. I have only been struggling with my weight for the past 4 years. Before that I never had a problem. I was always between 130-150 before that. Now I am sitting around 206 and there are many factors that come into this. I have Fibromyalgia which is a chronic pain and fatigue disorder so that has a lot to do with it. I was in a car accident around 4 years old, nothing serious, but enough to mess up my back pretty good. It caused the Fibromyalgia to flair up (it was undiagnosed then), I couldn't exercise anymore, they were trying different antidepressants and birth controls on me and that's when the weight gain started. I was depressed so I turned to food, even more so because the guy I was married to didn't like my curves. He kept trying to make me lose weight, he would call me names and be very mean to me. Instead of losing weight it made me gain weight. We have been divorced over two years and now I am with a man who love my curves, but I think because of all the medication I am on for a now diagnosed Fibromyalgia it makes things harder.

I am trying very hard to lose weight. I like being curvy, but I don't like being 206. I don't want to be an unhealthy curvy. I mean a lot of people don't even know how much I weigh, a lot of people think I weigh less, but I know it's not good for my body. My boyfriend, Rick, doesn't think I need to lose anything, but he supports my weight loss. It's nice to have good support. But I need a place to come and write about it more, especially from people who are also losing weight. Losing weight is one of the hardest things are person can do. I used to have an eating disorder, which is probably why I gained weight with my ex, he was telling me to go back to my eating disorder even though I had been in recovery. I think it made me do the opposite. I know it's not right, but still.

Well, that's a long introduction, if you read it all thank you. I hope I can find this place very helpful and encouraging. I hope I can lose all the weight I need to hear.

Tara, I joined the day after Thanksgiving and I have one regret...why the heck didn't I hear about this site a long time ago! You will find this site full of supportive people and great topics covering all sorts of angles on a healthier lifestyle.

I, too, have had struggles with weight loss. My wife has pleaded with me for the last 10+ years to do something about my weight and now I'm committed to her and our children that I will lose 50 lbs. In addition to the weight loss struggles, I have other obstacles...hypothyroidism, high cholestorol and blood pressure. All three are controlled with medication, but my goal is to lose the weight and get off these pills (if possible).

Feel free to add me as a friend and let's keep in touch and share ideas!

Cheers!
Don

hi Tara,
I think it takes lots of boldness for you to share. THANKS for your sharing, i am very proud of you that you have taken a an awesome step to a healthier you! I like to be curvy too:bigsmile:
mfp is a great site where you can get great support, info in loosing weight.
1st, set your goals & take it a step at a time. Positive thinking & confession helps.
i had the same problem, depression & i turned to eating, some called that emotional eating. i was so depressed that i slept & eat & isolated myself.
But one morning, its a miracle that I looked at myself in the mirror long enough to find the reason to change!
So i went to library & thank GOD i found a great book where i can go through daily page by page to get out of depression. From that day on, a day at a time, a step at a time, i got out of my depression & started to change my lifestyle.
Loosing weight is hard, but all of us at mfp are heading towards a healthier us every day! Some may loose weight slowly & some are shedding fast, but we are all loosing our extras together!.
By share our breakthroughs in loosing weight & help each other face challenges in mfp builds up daily.
Your current boyfriend is very sweet, 100% much better than your ex... : p : p
Exercise plus reading up more your diet, heart rate etc, will help very much.
My husband bought me a Polar Trainer watch, FT60 last month. I love it! It helps me train & know my maximum heartrate, resting heart rate & the different benefits in training at different zones based on my heart rate.
And with the back pain, always listen your body as you work out. Don't over train, when you need to rest, please rest.
I had lower left back injury & it creeps up pretty often. Sometimes, my back pain can be very demoralising, discouraging, but i've learn to be positive about it, listening to our body is really important. Many people just ignore & ended up over training their bodys, that's not right.
Read up polar watch website, it is very helpful. Without proper rest & recovery for our body after workouts is a hindrance in loosing weight too. I strongly in believing, Work hard, play harder. exercise right & eat right.
If you need any info about the polar ft60 watch, feel free to ask, i will be most willing to help.
Love
beedezra:flowerforyou:

I took the time to read your whole post and I just want to thank you for having the courage to post your story. Just know that all of that is in the past and it sounds like you have done well finding someone who will support you and loves you no matter what.

Many people on this site are very supportive and encouraging. You have come to the right place and I wish you much success with your journey.

Tara, I'm glad you found this site. You've come to the right place. Thank you for reminding us that we need healthy bodies AND healthy self-esteem to be the whole person we want to be. Good for you!