Welcome to the community Mary Helen...we are so glad you have joined us.  You have come to the right place to get on track and get focused.  I'm sure you will do great.  Everyone here is so encouraging, supportive and truthful.  Having weight loss buddies has been essential to my success.  Just turning to this site instead of stuffing my mouth mindlessly has been great.  It sounds like portion control will help you a lot...you still can have all the wonderful food you cook, just in much smaller amounts...that's what's great about the SF plan...you still get to eat your favorite foods. 

It is totally true that losing weight and following an exercise plan helps with depression (those endorphins are amazing) and many other things.  It has helped me have fewer migraines...which has been such a blessing.  Just hang in there, stay strong, stay focused, have a set plan and stick to it as completely as you can each day.  Take it one day at a time and you will do great.  Contact me any time by clicking on my user name. 

Blessings, Bridget

GOOD LUCK MARY! Just remember, baby steps. Slow and steady. Losing weight will help with your depression as well! Working out releases endorphins, so go for a brisk walk every now and then.  And don't forget, every day is a new day! So if you have a bad day in terms of eating, don't give up, get right back on that bull! 

Best of luck!

Dear all;

I have dieted before and lost weight but I have never hit my goal weight circumstances or finances has always been my excuse to quit diets.  I am 37 and weigh 210.  I have never weighed so much in my life.  I do suffer from depression and this isn't helping.  I have decided I am not going to yo yo anymore.  I may fall I may go backwards but if I don't reach goal weight this time I am not dieting again.  I have 5 kids and the youngest starts school on Monday.  I want them to be proud of me but mostly I want to look good again for me.  I had two event recently that told me I had to change they are both amusing in a way.  I busted out the seat in my favorite jeans as i was getting into the car after a viewing.  A distant cousin had died at the age of 86 and he had lost almost 150 pounds or he would have died sooner.  I found it ironic that I busted the seat out at this persons viewing.  A week later I was putting nair on my legs getting ready for the shower and the lid of the toilet seat broke in half.  It buckled and snapped.  Now looking at it from a distance, that is hilarious, but at the same time it is very sad.  I can't sit on the lid of my toilet without breaking it.  I need to change.  I have one huge problem,  I love good food and I can cook some good food.  It's not like I stuff myself on junkfood,  I just over eat the food, well rounded meals, that I cook.  I was raised on that southern style of cooking and my family cooks it well.  I know it sounds like alot of whining and blaming, I am just trying to be honest about my short comings.  I have the support of my family, my mom has gone on the diet with me, my husband is wonderful about it.  I hope to make some friends here.

I am celebrating Monday, my first time alone in 15 years.  Yeah!

Mary Helen