Hello, everyone, my name is Leann. I have had issues with food and weight my entire life. I also have serious issues with low self-esteem and negative body image, always have. I can be the most optomisitc person for others in my life, but I am infamous for beating up on myself. I can't take a compliment. I hate looking in the mirror. I love shopping, but absolutely HATE clothes shopping. I love food....but just don't know when to stop. I would describe my relationship with food as a love-hate kind of fling. I have lost serious amounts of weight numerous times in my life, many different ways, some healthy, some not so healthy. I just can't manage to keep it off.

I lost 85 pounds in 2009 in preparation for my wedding day, October 17th, one of the happiest days of my life. I swore to myself that was the last time I would have to worry about losing that much weight. Two years later, I have gained back every single pound. My family and friends love me, don't want to hurt me so they tell me, "Leann, you've had so much stress".....yes that's true, but only an excuse. My husband and I have been together a little over seven years. We finally tied the knot, as I mentioned, in October 2009. We immediately wanted to try and start a family. We officially tried for a year without any luck, so we were referred to a fertility specialist in November 2010. After fertility meds, shots, ultrasounds, heart break, anger, frustration, and many other emotions.......still no baby. I found out in April of this year that it would be very hard for us to conceive. Long story short, I had surgery on June 24th to hopefully increase our chances. I had recooperated from surgery, so my husband and I went on a weekend trip to get away not far from home. My husband told me he had been having abdominal pain for about six weeks. I am a nurse, so of course, I made him go to the doctor asap......another long story short.....he was diagnosed with Colon Cancer on July 21st. We were very blessed, it wasn't as bad as they first thought. They removed all of the Cancer w/ surgery, but still recommended that he undergo chemo for six months. Needless to say, my family is right, we have definitely been under more stress than I have ever exprecienced, but I need to be healthy for my husband and hopefully our future children. Our trying for a baby has been put on hold until his chemotherapy is complete. He should receive his last treatment near the end of March 2012. So, it's time to stop the madness, and do everything I can to make 2012 the best year ever!!! I feel in my heart that losing weight and becoming a healthier, happier, more confident, positive person will help me in my efforts to have a family. My husband is by far my number one priority right now, but to take care of him I have to take care of me!

Hi everyone,

my name's Elisa and it has been 3 years that I keep gaining weight while it would be very important to me to lose it!
I love sport (hiking, biking, etc.) but I don't like to do it on my own very much anymore. I really would like to lose weight, gain more confidence and feel more at ease when around people. When I really believe in something I can be very determined and motivating. I'm sure we can support each other and succeed in our goals!

I'm Cana....40 (something) mother of 5! I'm actually looking to lose 7% body fat by 07/21/11. I know when I gain the muscle and lose the fat, I will go down in size and up on the scales. I'm starting out at 132, but figuring I will hit 140-145. I work 14 hour days (M-F) with a one hour commute each way. It leaves me very little time to exercise, but I know I must to reach my goal. I started on MFP on 01/17/11 and have lost just over 50 lbs. since then. I'm loving it, but really want to tone up! Wish me luck! :happy:

Hi I am Linda. I have been struggling wth my confidence for years. My self esteem has grown dramatically in the past few years, but I am nowhere close to confident. I am finally to the point to were I think I am a good person and that I have something to offer others, but I am nothing close to attractive. Being fat makes it really hard for me to have relationships. When you aren't comfortable with yourself it is really hard to be with someone. I know weight and size aren't everything but damn it would be nice to feel good when I look in the mirror or take pictures.

Hi I'm Ali.

I have always struggled with confidence and esteem, even when I'm doing well I'm a worrier - what if, what if....... I find open agression and hostility really difficult to deal with, embarassing as well as intimidating. Cos I'm naturally pretty easy going too i often seem timid to other people (actually much more feeble than i really am - in my own quiet not-in-your-face-way I can be pretty steely if it's important to me and it surprises brash people I know when they realise).

I just wish i could fight off the urge to keep apologising for existing. I feel quite pathetic putting that but I'm not going to hit delete!

I have always been very self conscious about my skin - had mild acne from my teens on face and back. Weirdly it is the back that bothers me more. I'm real pale so alweays felt it showed badly no matter what anyone else said (usually that it wasn't that bad) in fact strangers would regularly tell me I had lovely skin !!! - just good at makeup I thought! I started to put on weight after i hit 30 and life got really busy. Then two kids in quick succession plus a promotion at work into a really stressful place at the same time meant I really put on the weight. I am nearly back to where i want to be now physically. Lots of lovely people have told me how great I look and how well and glowing etc etc. I do feel much healthier and happier overall but I still want to fade into the background and see a dork when I look in the mirror!

I have two wee boys Stevie and Logan (4 and 2) who love me unconditionally and I adore them with all my heart.

Ali

UGH. (Prepare to see me use that word, or rather... sound effect, a lot.)
HI MY NAME IS... Irrelevant. I shall not be named. Voldemort, or "wallflower" will do.

In high school I was going through puberty and that whole mess. Ugh.
So apparently influenced by celebrities and high fashion models,
I prescribed myself a heavy dose of low-self esteem.
2 months ago I realized eating a whole pack of oreos and drinking pop won't get me anywhere.
I've made "New Year's Resolutions" for the most of my life. Ugh.
And never went through with it.

2012 will be the last unhealthy year of my life. I will see my ultimate goal weight.
And also, try to reduce my use of "Ugh".

Hi, my name is Cheryl. I'm not really good at these intro things but here it goes. I work in a nursing home and I'm the step-mom to three great kids who have been through a lot. My favorite exercise is running but I'm trying to broaden my range and also to tone up. I've always been self conscious of my body, even when I was skinny I thought I was chunky. I want to feel comfortable in my running clothes instead of feeling like I look like the blob. Growing up I was always the skinny kid that got picked on and then puberty hit and it really did a number on me mentally, even though I was never really fat. After I turned 26 I slowly started to gain weight and about a year after I quit smoking I really gained weight. I think I used running as an excuse to eat more. I'm at my highest ever weight and am very uncomfortable with it. Anyway, it's nice to meet you all and I look forward to being a part of this group. Feel free to friend me if you'd like, I don't turn away anyone. I also have celiac disease and an intolerance to soy and animal fats so it makes my diet a bit more challenging.

My name is Jackie and I'm new to this site. I'm looking to loose the 30-40 pounds I put on during my last episode of depression... I've been struggling with this since summer, I have never really tried to loose weight before then. I'm looking for friends, too!!