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I joined LS back in March 2010... it wasn't until November that I really started using this site. I joined some dares and I have been tracking everything I eat and drink. It was very hard to open up my diary to the public, but I have received some great advice. And I think I have made a couple of friends along the way.

My story: I am 44 and not as active as I used to be. I am a mother of 3 boys now 20, 15, and 11. I was 125 pounds when I got pregnant with my first and was 197 when I delievered. Yep, I thought I could eat everything in sight and by the miracle of birth the weight would fly off and I would be back to 125 pounds. Well it didn't happen that way. I struggled, but I got the weight back off.

Second pregnancy... I was still heavier than I wanted but by the time I had my second boy I was a mess. Back up to 180 pounds and miserable. I did get back to work in the gym, but it has not been the same. I am now losing my motivation, comfortable in my marriage, and just not taking care of myself. Excuses, excuses... ate junk food with the boys and was just too tired to even care about diet and exercise.

I managed to get back down to 135. I was happy and 36. I got pregnant again with my 3rd boy. Yes, my boys are about 5 years apart each. :-) I did really well with my 3rd pregnancy. I was a kickboxing instructor for the Y, was eating really well, in great physical shape... I only gained 20 pounds with my 3rd... but the weight did not come off again. And I noticed my metabolism had left the building.

So here I am 11 years later and back up to 188. I do not feel good about myself and wonder why did I do this again to my body. Ugh! I have managed to get back to 182 but just can't seem to break into the 170s. I really started using LS as a support group tool in my Dare to lose weight challenge. I am having a hard time sticking to my net goals... and there are days I just want to give up.

I am not going to give up. I plan to lose 5 pounds a month. I would like to be 20 pounds lighter by May, 2011. My big goal is to be down to 135 again. I like me at that wieght and I am a size 10. I look good and feel good. I believe if I do this in mini goals of 10 pounds at a time, I will not be so frustrated when I do not see huge weight losses. I am 5'1" and the weight is just not going to fly off of me the way I would like.

This is about a lifestyle change and I have to give myself some time. I packed on 55 pounds in over 2 years and I know it is going to take time, hard work, and positive energy to get this weight off again. The healthy lifestyle change can only help with not putting it back on again.

I pray to the Lord, I can do this and he will give me the strength I need. It doesn't matter how many times I get knocked down, it only matters how many times I stand back up - Anne Geddes

Update: March 7, 2012
Well I am still here. A little lighter, a little smarter, and still determined to make this happen! My mother suffered a stroke 9/2011. My life was turned upside down. I managed to finally break through to the 170s.. got down to 173..and whammo.. stress eating, traveling to/from the hospitals in Lexingon,,, weight started to creep back on. I got up to 179 when I caught it again.

It is hard to balance a new job, home life, taking care of a loved one, but it is still no excuse to just throw a healthy lifestyle and hard work away. I have learned on this journey that it is all about choices. Even though there were times/weekends we ate nothing but take out food... the choices were mine to make! Instead of the burger, grab the grilled chicken, no cheese, no mayo..just to be safe on the calories ya know?

I have joined some more groups and I really like the love and support I have been getting. I did not realize how much it does help and how much it is missed when gone. I am back down to 173 and holding. I have a new challenge that last 2 months. My goal is 3 times a week workouts and down 12 pounds by May 1, 2012. I am going to do it this time. I have made my workouts a priority. Even if only 30 minutes of hard callistenics (sp?) or 40 min of cardio, I will stick the 3 work outs a week and I will get down 12 pounds. I learned never give up and be conscious of your choices!