I am 20 years older than you and 3" shorter. I didn't lose the weight from my last child until he was TEN! (He is now 17.) I felt so miserable and lethargic. I wish I had lost the weight at your age! A hot, miserable trip to DisneyWorld made me realize what bad shape I was in.
I reached my goal weight 7 years ago and have kept the weight off. I allow myself a 3 pound fluctuation, but when it gets past that I go back to really watching what I eat. I managed to lose the weight and keep it off by making myself a promise: I promised myself that if I made it through the dieting "pain" one last time that I would NEVER allow myself to put it back on ever again. It is much more difficult to lose weight than to maintain. I don't say that to discourage you, but to encourage you! Promise yourself that this will be the LAST time that you have to do this difficult thing, and then keep the promise. Everyone in my extended family is overweight, and they constantly harass me to join them in eating whatever, but I just remind myself that I control every bite that goes into my mouth--no one else. BTW, I am the only one in my extended family whose kids are not overweight. Kids end up eating what their parents eat for the most part...
I used ediets originally, but I find that this website is just as helpful and it's FREE! 
Keep your food log and try to exercise 4 to 5 times a week including a couple of sessions with weights, but don't beat yourself up if things get in the way. I read that 80% of weight loss depends on food and only 20% is exercise. But you'll feel so much better physically and emotionally if you get to the gym. And you'll be surprised how quickly the weight will come off. Remember, the first 3 days are the most difficult! Believe me, if I can do it you can do it!
Isnt "starting over" the worst feeling in the world!!?? its like - ok, when is this really going to stick? why is something that i want more then anything in the world so hard to do?? it takes discipline & will power - even faith to get what you want and I guess I am lacking in those areas!!
Anyway - good luck and lets just do this already.
:)
Not to sound corny, but be your own cheerleader! Celebrate your own successes. Write down rewards for milestones. Make it through the first 4 days and give yourself 45 uninterrupted minutes in a bubble bath. Lose your first 5 pounds and go get a new shirt. Lose 10 and buy a new pair of cute jeans! Don't wait until you are "skinny" to reward yourself--you can always sell those hardly worn cute jeans on eBay when you shrink out of them!
I was just like you growing up--always known as "the chubby one", always on a diet. I wasn't as thin as I am now when I was in high school! (Probably why I wish I had lost this weight forever ago...) I have 3 sisters who never seemed to have a weight issue until we were well into adulthood. I think it is the curse of being under 5'4". They are all 5'4" and taller.
I did discover something about myself during my time of losing weight: the only thing I like to do as much as eat is talk! My mother and sisters plan every get-together around food. Now, I meet them wherever they want to go. I snack or eat a meal before we meet and then I drink iced tea and do ALL the talking while they eat! 
At first it made them uncomfortable, but now they know to expect it. I really enjoy spending time with them without letting it wreck my weight, health, and budget.
I am the same age and height. I have more weight than you to take off, but I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to be back to around 140 again. I remember those days.... :)
My fiance is very supportive of me working out, losing weight, and being healthy - the only problem is that he can eat and eat without gaining much weight. One of my struggles is watching my portion control when we eat together.
Do you have a target time frame so that you can set mini goals for yourself?
Mini goals appear so much more attainable than 40lbs, etc. It is great to reward yourself with non-food items. One thing that I am planning on rewarding myself with is an eyebrow wax. I know it sounds little, but I am a compulsive plucker and I am trying to reshape my brows. It has been SO hard to have them all ungroomed looking. So, when I hit 5lbs I'm getting them waxed :)
I would say that 3 weeks would be a good timeframe for a 5lb goal. As long as you watch your caloric intake and do some type of exercise, you'll make it.
I so understand. My son will be 1 year old next week and I'm still trying to shake nearly 30 lbs after my pregnancy. I'm 5'2" and linger at about 153 lbs. I weighed 125ish pre-pregancy. It is really hard to lose weight!! I have a new respect for people who have been dealing with weight issues for a long time.
I need help getting motivated with exercise too. My husband is awesome but he doesn't have a super drive to get healthier ( he could lose a few pounds, he was "pregnant" too and he ate the chocolate doughnuts to prove it!). Our diet is improved, but it's true temptation is everywhere, especially when you live with a man who like to deep fry way too many things. 
I feel like with some more support and encouragement I could do so much better.
Let's be buddies and get back in shape!!
I am 24 and preparing to become pregnant. Everyone in my family is extremely over weight. Like gastro bypass over weight. It’s not our genes it’s our habits. We love big portions, especially me. I’m always hungry (24 hours a day). I’m not a skinny girl. I never have been and never will be. But I have seen how pregnancy will effect me threw my sisters. I’m trying to loose the weight now. When I gain my 30 lbs I want to be ahead of the game. Only problem is I can’t stop eating. I work out 5 days a week and eat at least 6 meals a day.( the 6 times a day part is the ideal diet for meJ) I aim for 300-400 calories a meal. That helps me with my portion problem. My BIG problem is I would rather work out for hours than stop eating. I try to burn 400 cal a work out. But by 7:00 pm I blow it, I waste all that time working out and just brake even. I loose all control at night. And unlike you… my husband doesn’t help. I want to be your friend too.
Kell115, I feel exactly like you. Many mornings I lie in bed and think about getting up but my legs won't move. I feel so tired alot too. I know it is simply mind over matter. We must MAKE ourselves get up and move. When I do this, and get a good workout, it makes me feel soooooo much better. My confidence soars, and as long as I can make myself do it the first 4 days, I'm good after that. I will exersize with no problem. I love exerciing actually. it's just getting started that I have a hard time with. I know we can do it. If we want it bad enough we can get there. ya know, I watch The Biggest Loser every week and If those people can exersize their butts off at the size they are, I KNOW WE can do it.
I actually got a workout in last night...a whole hour! I'm thinking I might start doing evening workouts for a while. Just see how it goes. I hate getting up in the morning! I have to get up at 4:30 to get a workout in before work! That's so early! I'm not much of a morning person and since I hate waking up so much it makes me hate my workout. Last night I really enjoyed myself...reminds me of the old days!
Original Post by sphere401:
I reached my goal weight 7 years ago and have kept the weight off. I allow myself a 3 pound fluctuation, but when it gets past that I go back to really watching what I eat. I managed to lose the weight and keep it off by making myself a promise: I promised myself that if I made it through the dieting "pain" one last time that I would NEVER allow myself to put it back on ever again. It is much more difficult to lose weight than to maintain. I don't say that to discourage you, but to encourage you! Promise yourself that this will be the LAST time that you have to do this difficult thing, and then keep the promise. Everyone in my extended family is overweight, and they constantly harass me to join them in eating whatever, but I just remind myself that I control every bite that goes into my mouth--no one else. BTW, I am the only one in my extended family whose kids are not overweight. Kids end up eating what their parents eat for the most part...
This is so inspirational. I am making myself the same promise. You are right! I ate like my parents and my whole family is obese. I married a man who's family is an excellent example of active healthy lifestyle and living near them and away from my family is making it so much easier. I don't want my kids to struggle and be the fat kid and have no self esteem like I did growing up.
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