Early 30's - Mom, wife looking for support to stay on track to lose 20 lbs!

 My problem is that I can't seem to stay on track. I'm married, have two childrean and go to school. My household is very demanding and I've struggled to find time for myself but I'm always taking care of everyone else. Recently, I just decided to do it once and for all and try and stay on track to lose these stubborn 22 lbs! I guess I just realized that no one else can get healthier and lose the weight for me and if I don't do it than I'll continue to be unhappy and stay overweight. Life is way too short for that!. I'm 5'2 and when I started (this time around) on Jan 6th, I weighed 137 lbs. Now I'm down to 131, which has been just over 1 lb a week. I'm thrilled about that but I really need to stay on track and need some buddies who seem to do well but then fall off the wagon completely and have to start over again. I need the motivation to keep going because this is hard and I know there's people out there who just need the same motivation to stay on track.. we can do it! We can help and support eachother to reach our goals. So if thats you, let me hear from you.

You sound very much like me, although I am older (I started my family later), . Three kids and a husband who like to eat anything going - especially cookies. I lost 12 pounds since Jan 6th, mainly from keeping myself focussed on my goal and ignoring what the others around me do. These last five days though, with eating out a few times, I've gained back a pound (only 11 down now). Today, I am determined to stay on track and lose it again and keep losing until I reach my goal. I find this website a real help, because I can track what I'm eating and what it means in terms of weight loss at the next morning weigh-in. The support groups are great, too. If we encourage each other, we can do this!

Wow, 11 lbs is great since Jan 6th, don't feel bad about eating out. It's a part of life and spending time with family. We just need to remember that when we do eat out, we need to make better decisions when ordering. I think in the past for me when it comes to dieting, it's been an all or nothing attitude and if I'm not perfect with my eating or exercise, forget it, I stop trying, but this time I've decided that I'm not perfect and if eat something bad, I just know that I have to cut something out for the rest of the day or exercise a little longer and so far its worked. I haven't really been bad, with the execption of a salt craving (chips) now and then but other than that somehow I just feel that I can do this the right way this time. Yes we can do this!

Hey there! Welcome. I am just like you. I am 32yrs old, a single mom. I work full time and am trying to lose that brutal last 15 lbs. I recently started falling off the wagon but am still exercising. I am 5'4" and now at 137 (although I just got a new scale so who knows if that's accurate. I think the key is (and I learned this when I started here) you will be much more capable of handling all of the stresses of taking care of everyone else when you are healthy and happy. Losing weight, eating right, and exercising not only makes you look better but you begin to feel amazing! You have a lot more energy and your family will thank you for it. Of course, you have to do the work but it is worth it! I am here if you need support-god knows I always am looking for someone to reach out to when I start to fail (sort of like the last few days). Good luck!

Hey hope2577,

Thanks for your comments and support, I agree that my health and happiness will be a great factor in handling everything else. Know that you're not alone and I'm here if you need support too!

Hi

I'm like you too. I'm 32 year old mum of 2 1/2 year old twins. I work part time, have a husband who has a really demanding job and find it hard to get time to exercise and do anything for me. I've just joined calorie count - I'm 5"7 and weigh 153 pounds - looking to get to under 140. It's always good to hear others in the same situation - Good luck!

I am 30, with two wonderful kids and a husband.  I want to let you know that you are not alone.  I got to the point that I was almost in depression over life itself.  I always was busy taking care of kids, husband and job, but no time for myself.  I finally talked to the hubby about how I was feeling.  Why did it take so long to tell him?  He's my best friend.  I joined a gym about 2 months ago.  I have a PT 2 times a month (all I can afford right now), just to keep me on track.  My husband has started taking the kids to the sitter in the mornings so that I can go to the gym before work.  I now pick up the kids in the afternoon.  When I get home, he usually has dinner started.  (sometimes I have to improvise my meals to keep it healthy)  I just don't know why it took me so long to open up.  I just felt obligated to take on my share of the work, and everyone elses work.  I am here to support you, if you'll return the favor when I need it.

I would say make your children a part of your workouts. Throw those babies in a  stroller and take them down the greenbelt. Get your hubby to start walking with you in the evenings. It's good family time and you get to get out other then just going out to eat, or sitting around at home. If you get your babies involved in your activities it will instill in them a healthy lifestyle as well as make make you feel guilty when you don't take them out. Yes... Guilt, but in a good way. :)

My motivation is a dog who requires massive amounts of exercise or he will chew something that I really like. That's my motivation, but I have also grown to really enjoy being out in the fresh air. I sit behind a desk and on days that I would like to pull my hair out I think the reason why I don't go completely crazy is the release of stress on my morning runs with the pooch. In addition I get my girlfriends together with their pooches on the weekends and go on long walks while talking about the week. It's become a welcome escape from my crazy life.

As far as the gym goes I kicked that added expense a while ago. Being outside is great and during the summer months it's a very early rise but still worth it.

Good luck... I guess instead of seeing it as a chore look at it as an escape that you can't live without. 

Hi,

I'm in! I'm 31, single mom of 3. I've been battling the last 10lbs for about 5 months now. I've thought about giving up and staying at the weight I am now but I really want to hit 150-I'm 5'9. It's so helpful to have friend to support you!

You ladies are great! Encouragement is just what we need to keep going with this and keep our goals in mind. I've started losing again and feeling good about it! One pound at a time - slow and steady...

It's good to know that there are so many caring people out there with the same concerns. To the single mom's out there, it's gotta be harder but it's great the your doing something for yourself, hang in there and stay positive. It's more work when you don't have someone else to help with the kids but it's so worth it. Life is hard, but I like the idea of looking at exercise as an escape that you can't live without. I love the fresh air, I'm a runner and since I started back up again, I will not stop. I love the way I feel after my runs, however, it is hard sometimes to tell myself to do it, if I'm feeling too tired, but once I warm up, forget it, I just keep going. Today, I think the air is too cold, but I'm gonna try. It snowed yesterday but didn't stick at all except for in the local mountains so it's gonna be chilly...

Hange in there ladies and stay positive, it can be done!