Hi I'm Heather. I'm from Pennsylvania. When I started out (pre MFP) I weighed 221lbs. Even at 5'8" that lands me in the obese BMI range. I suppose I have been in denial about how much weight I have gained (which is around 100lbs over the past year). I've had a bad year, a lot of losses, including becoming unemployed, and that's not exactly helped me in the weight department. I tend to be an emotional eater, and with all of the stress I have been under I've been depressed and not moving around a whole lot (which is the worst thing you can do when you feel bad). On 12/3 I weighed myself and decided to start my journey back into the 120's range where I was a little over a year ago. I'm tired of placating myself with food, stretching out all of my clothes, and getting winded from walking up the steps. I'm ready for a change!

Hey! I'm Danie, I'm 21, and I've been overweight for as long as I can remember. It never really bothered me honestly, because I'm too awesome to let it get me down, lol. It never stopped me from living my life, and I was always active even with the extra weight - soccer, then softball, then karate (kicking @$$ and taking names!!). I have amazing friends who don't give a rats booty if I'm a size 2 or a size 22. I have a fiancee who loves me regardless of the number I get on a scale. So, like I said, I never really cared.

But I'm also a nanny to two wonderful kids, a 5 year old girl (I'll refer to her as and a 20 month old boy (He'll be D). One day, the 5 year old girl told me I was fat (she quickly followed it with "and you're so pretty!!!", but still) and it hit me like a brick wall. I went home and cried. I've been called fat before - kids in my school are cruel - but I just laughed it off. But for some reason when B said it, it really bothered me.

Since then, I decided to make some serious life changes. I'm never going to be teeny tiny, genetics won't allow that, and I can live with that. But a little bit of weight wouldn't hurt.

If anyone is interested, another MFP friend is running a 4 month challenge that starts Jan 2nd and runs through April. The goal is to lose 10% of your current weight, while also working to burn about 350 calories, 5 days a week. The name is Eggcelent Shape for Easter Challenge and if you search under Message Boards, you can let her know you would like to join.

If you send me a friend request, you can also see the link from my wall. I need some motivation and what a great way to kick off the new year.

Heather,

I know what you are up against. I lost my job of 24 yrs the end of June and I have not been able to find work. I also separated from my wife of 14 years. I have 4 young children all under the age of 13 and my 9 year old son is autistic. I am also an emotional eater.

I look in the mirror and do not ever recognize the guy looking back at me.

The best part for you is your youth. Use it, draw from it. I wish I could go back to your age and start over.

What way of eating are you using? Do you have any support at home?

We are here and we can help each other. I know it is possible.

Hi John! I have to share something with you - just because I know you will understand!

A new owner took over the gym I go to about a month ago, and he is working to make some nice changes to the gym. One of the things he did was hire a personal trainer who will show you proper use of the equipment (free) and work with you to help you develop a program to meet your individual needs (small charge). I was so excited to meet her and get something going! As I was stetching out using the pulley machine she walked up to me and asked me what I was doing - and why was I doing it? I told her about I had a severe deltoid strain and that the doctor recommended using the pulley to help stretch out the arm and shoulder each time I was at the gym. She makes this weird face and proceeds to mention that she's been watching my work outs and that if I was "planning to actually lose some weight" that I needed to get on the treadmill with an incline for at least 30-60 mins 5 days a week.

ARE YOUR KIDDING ME? I nicely start to advise that due to knee and back problems, and a complete need to get myself out of my current couch potato state first - the doctor has advised that the recumbent bike and weights are the way to go for now. Now don't get me wrong - I do some pretty good times and distances on the bike - which she might have noticed if she had bothered to ask or pay attention! But she tells me that I will never burn calories, or lose weight, riding a bike and that if I need some energy to get myself going - "to try downing 3 pixie sticks and a red bull" before getting to the gym.

I almost hit the floor. Not only am I a diabetic, but I have high blood pressure - so I watch my sugar and caffiene. She also told me that if I could walk from my car to the gym door, I shouldbe able to work out on the treadmill. I was so discouraged. I know hat I definitely need to motivate and push myself - yes thru pain and lethargy - but in a way that won't aggrevate or further injure me. I've done that before - hence the restrictions for the time being.

So I am totally with you that sometimes people don't undestand. But that just means we need to work together more to help motivate ourselves and our other MFP pals to get to a healthier weight and overall well-being!

Can you give a little more detail about being a picky eater? What do you eat? I would also like to understand what you mean about being OCD about food? In what way?

I have a daughter who has never eaten a vegetable or piece of fruit in her life. She is 11. If I try to get her to try a taste she will gag and throw up. She only eats eggo waffles, chicken nuggets, French Fries, and Kraft Mac & Cheese.

I'm wondering if you are the same way

Some advice I can offer though...

I'm a nanny, and when one of the kids doesn't like what they're eating, I turn it into something fun - you mentioned she likes Eggos, so try this:

Eggo Smiley Face! Use the Eggo as the actual face part, then give her some stuff to use as eyes, a nose, and mouth. Strawberries for eyes, blueberries for a mouth, carrot stick for a nose, etc. Or whatever she can find in the fridge as long as it's healthy. Stick it to the Eggo with a dab (VERY small amount other wise it becomes too sweet) of whipped cream.

Just an idea. There's a ton of awesome things online.

You can also have her try helping cook something simple. She's more likely to try it (and find out it tastes good) if she helped make it. A good way to do this is by chicken noodle soup. Let her help prepare the veggies and throw it in the pot.

Hello. My name is KImberly. I am 32 years old. I just found MFP about 2 weeks ago. I have been battling my weight all of my adult life. I am learning that I am a very emotional eater and I have completely let food control my life for far too long. My husband and I have been trying to conceive for approximately 4 years. We are about to start fertility treatments. I need to get healthy! I fear that I will never get pregnant or have a healthy baby if I do not take control of my own body and get this weight off. I am really fighting to stay on track and so far I have been. I am about to close week 2 and have already lost several pounds. This is just more motivation to stick with it.

The holidays are adding some difficulty. I have managed, though not easily, to avoid all of the holiday goodies that have landed their way in my office. I am just sucking it up and working through it and looking at the bigger picture. It will be so good to have other people to talk to who are going through the same things. People that are not at least 100 pounds overweight just don't understand how difficult it is to just simply move around, let alone exercise. I am ready to show them all what I can do. Who is with me?

Hi Everyone, I'm Mara -waves-

I used to be skinny, and it sometimes feels like one day I woke up & realised I was totally overweight. So here I am, I HAVE to do something about it. I have a few health conditions which affect my weight, my ability to lose weight and also my ability to exercise, but I'm going to do it, even if it takes then next 10 years.

It's lovely to have you all here for support, and it's nice to meet you all

Hi, I'm Dawn. I turned 45 yesterday and this morning the scale screamed 278 at me! Today is the day that I take control of my life and my body. There is so much that I want to do and am tired of my size and lack of being in shape hold me back. Although I found this website a year ago, I haven't used it as I should have. I'm done with excuses!

I tried to add in my ticker tracker thingy but I'm obviously not pasting the correct thing. Any suggestions?

Hello my name is Nikki. I am 32 from Montana. I am newly married and can't wait to have children with the man I have been blessed with. Unfortunately, due to my weight and my family history this has been a problem. My doctor wants me to drop a significant amount of weight. I am excited to meet some people who are in my boat with me and will soon be changing ships. :flowerforyou: If there is anything else you need to know. Just ask.

Hello everyone and greetings. Well, tomorrow is New Years Eve and we can all start on a new note, so to speak. I am in here because I am 125 pounds overweight. I work in a factory and move around alot, but when I get home ...that is it! I am 58 years old and now I need to lose weight for my health. I want to get off the blood pressure meds and I would like to start exercising once again. I did this about 13 years ago and got into great shape, however, when some emotional issues rose up in my life (just like every human on the planet) I ate for comfort. Now I am at the weight I seem to gravitate to and I WANT IT OFF ME> I have been binge eating all this holiday and need to put a stop to this insanity. OK>>>What does the "C" stand for in this group?

Hi, I'm Merlin. I've actually been working at this battle for about two years. I'm down 50 lbs in that time, but am starting to take the battle more seriously now. I have gotten into a routine at the gym that involves a lot of pool time, since I find I can make my cardio time last a lot longer in the pool, since my bum knee doesn't hurt while swimming. I have changed my dieting methods to include stricter portion control, and have limited my beloved BBQ to once every other month. That is the hardest sacrifice right there.

I am using my love of sports and auto racing as my motivation, and the day I get thin enough to fit in the car I am going to Daytona to drive one of the Richard Petty cars. I have been so big for so long that I don't even have a final goal yet. My current goal is to get down to Nascar size, then my next goal will be to get small enough to do the IndyCar ride along program. From there? I guess then will be a good time to set a final goal.

Hi everyone! I'm Jensie, 46 years old, and from Northern California. I can hardly believe that I have over a 100 lbs. to lose. I have been big all my life, but what used to be cute plumpness is quickly turning into droopy fatness! I am bigger then I have ever been and have really just have had about enough. I have tried to lose weight before, I have done WW, ATKINS, 17 Day Diet, Protein Power, etc, etc, etc.. about a year ago I did join a weight loss challenge with group of co-workers and worked my butt off and lost 37 lbs...I didn't win the challenge, but came in 2nd place! I felt amazing and to be honest...don't know why I didn't just keep on going. ...famous last words!

I have Hashimoto's disease & had my Thyroid removed Februrary 2011. To get my metabolism moving it is so important for me to get my body moving. So that is something that will be challenging to me! I really have never liked to exercise but am willing and focused on breaking through that barrier!

I have 5 children. 2 boys who are grown and out of the house. 1 college age daughter who is moving out within the next 2 months, and 2 little ones still at home - ages 4 and 9. I work full time for a telecommunications provider as a contact center supervisor. There are days I love it, and days I don't love it so much. I design & make jewelry in my 'off time' (what is that?!), and love to read.

I am determined to get as close to my weight goal this year as I can. I would love to be able to go to Disneyland with my kids and keep up with them! Last year we went and my feet and knee's were killing me! Poor kids - Mommy huffing & puffing along! Also...I recently took a trip to NY to visit my lifelong BFF who I hadn't seen 8 years, and I was so stressing the 'fitting in the plane seat' thing! I actually looked up the seat size on the Delta website and to my horror it was noted that the seat pans were 17 inches...I mean my butt has never been 17 inches!! Thankfully I had connecting seats with my daughter and she is MUCH smaller then me...so it wasn't really an issue. BUT...I plan on going back to NY again here in the next 6-8 months and how nice would it be if I could fit that seat with ease and relax the whole flight?! I would also love to be able to buy every cute piece of clothing out there that I like! Sweaters, skinny leg jeans, capris, skirts again, and BOOTS! I want some cute knee high fuzzy furry boots for next fall/winter..and not look like a bloated fat chick stuffed into cute boots looking horrible! All vain reasons to lose weight...but they are reasons!

Most importantly I want to live another 46 years! I haven't even begun to scratch the tip of my 'to do' before it's all over. ... and if I didn't mention sleep above, I will now...I want to sleep so snuggly and comfortable when I hit the sheets. I don't today, I toss, I turn, and wake up tired. Losing my weight will certainly help with that!

Well that is me! I would like to make some new friends who face the same struggles - losing 100+ pounds. My head sometimes tell me that 'its too much, it's impossible, blah, blah, blah'..and I have to fight that thought and count the small loses knowing they will add to BIG losses! Any new friends are most welcome! Cheers to 2012! :bigsmile: