I gave up...

Nope, I'm not a giver upper. No matter what's going on, it's not greater than my health.

Medical data shows that exercising while smoking helps reduce the effects smoking has on the body and lungs. So keep exercising, even if you're having trouble quitting!

I've struggled with my weight since giving birth to my daughter 8 years ago. Before my pregnancy, I was 148lbs and a combination of sedentary lifestyle (office work, coming home then sitting down all evening) and lack of knowledge about nutrition has seen me creep up to 252 lbs in those 8 years.

Next year I will be turning 30 and I looked back over my twenties and just felt disappointment. I didn't do anything, I didn't go anywhere and I had become so very very lazy in all areas of life. I didn't want to see in my thirties looking the way I do and I felt so determined that it was different from all the other times I half attempted.

I stopped smoking in February and never looked back and on my 29th birthday in April, I took lots of photos of myself and said, that's it - let's do this. On my 30th birthday, I WILL look a hell of a lot better than I do now.

I've lost 8 lbs so far but more importantly, I'm relaxed about the changes I'm making and incorporating them as a way of life rather than feeling like I have to force myself to do this or suppressing myself not to eat that. A little of anything I fancy, eating more often but in smaller quantities - I even replaced my large dinner plates for smaller ones as my ability to judge portion sizes is woefully inadequate.

My daughter is on board and is loving seeing her mum being able to start playing tag now. We're making it a point to go to the quieter parks where I feel less exposed so that I can play football or basketball with her without fearing mocking looks off people. I'm doing 30-40mins on my Wii everyday and reaching the point where I can't wait till the next one.

I'm not sure why this time is different to all the others but this year, I just know that it's going to change and I'm going to change and even though I'm still 244 lbs atm - I can feel my body getting fitter, my skin getting clearer and my lungs working better.

I'm not sure what to say to motivate you but I hope at least by explaining my own way might perhaps give you some ideas?

One final thing I would say to you is that starting over again, even if it's from scratch is still better than doing nothing at all. If you do nothing, nothing will change - if you do something, no matter how small - it will have a positive impact on your health and your wellbeing.

Best of luck to you xx

Start by eating better just for today. You can do anything for just one day. Once you start eating better you will feel better about yourself and then everything will fall back into place. Easier said than done I know, but you can do this. You have proven it since January. Everyday is a new day, If you faulter (notice I said faulter, not fail) put it behind you. It is in the past, you can't do anything abut it now, so move forward. When I slip I say to myself 'nothing tastes as good as think feels.'
Stay positive. Look at old pictures, look at how far you have come and be proud of yourself for that.
Good luck

This is great advice!!!

Yes, this!

Nope, I'm not a giver upper. No matter what's going on, it's not greater than my health.

This exactly! I USED TO be like that but not anymore. Sometimes I get the urge to "give up" or binge or say "screw it" in the heat of the moment when I am upset or stressed out but I have learned how to fight it! I quit smoking AND started my weight loss journey at the same time. It has now been 13 months since I quit smoking and I've lost 90 pounds... AND I stopped biting my nails! lol. If I can do it, anyone can!

Get support. Go to group classes at a gym. Get a trainer. Enroll in a small group fitness program. Nothing like the active support of others who are doing the same thing and are rooting for you. It is sooooo hard to do this on one's own.

replace your habits permantley. don't think "when I lose weight I can smoke and eat what I want again"

it's been said a lot but I'll repeat it - it's a lifesyle change, not a temporary thing. just do it. look forward and don't mourn the lost of your old habits or yearn for them. move on. take each challenge with a can do attitude. see yourself accomplishing moving, stressful job, etc with the outcome you want and then put it into practice. good luck!!

I needed to hear this too. I am nearly in the same boat. Only no smoking.

I started to lose weight in 2008 after getting to 232. It took about three months, but I lost 50lbs and was looking GREAT!! Then, I got laid off and had to move out of state with my parents. I put on about 70 pounds in the 6 months when I was back at home (EEEK!!!). I returned to Florida, in 2009 I was a good 260 pounds. I dropped (and gained back) about 20 of that, but I knew that I needed to do something long-term, but I was just too lazy. Then last year I seen a picture of me when I was in Miami. I was NOT pleased! I decided that I was not going back to Miami (which is only a 3 hour drive) until I could put on a bathing suit. It’s now been 9 months and I've lost a total of 52 pounds with about 40 more to go. I expect to have them gone within the next 6 months for my birthday.

For me, it took not only knowing that I needed to do something about my weight, but also seeing myself in pictures. At my highest weight I didn't look in the mirror much. However, a photo is a photo.. it doesn't lie! Hopefully you can get the motivation you need to help you come back on your journey.