I am 41 and 223 lbs (5'6") and facing many of the same problems you are - except I'm 9 years later getting started. Everyone in my immediate family has been overweight at some time - even my extended family aunts, uncles and grandparents. I don't have a single person in my family that has been a normal weight for most of their life. Now I am facing some medical problems of my own and I want to stop them before they get too bad. About 14 years ago I lost down to 160 ( which is the least I ever weighed as an adult) then had 3 kids, a miscarriage and developed hypothyroidism. I had been working out since last December but not watching what I was eating so I only lost about 8 pounds. Since then, I have started back working full-time (I was part-time) and am having trouble fitting the exercise in between work and kids. I would love to have buddy to encourage me through this battle. I am so afraid this is my last chance with my 40s staring me in the face and a sedentary job.

This doesn't have to be our destiny. Let's take control and change it!

tracesboys

Thanks for the encouragement.  I am looking forward to be full of energy again, especially to run after my two little girls.  My mom has many of those conditions you described and I do not want to end up on all kinds of medication to control those same issues.  Good luck to you and hopefully we'll both get to where we are headed!

Hey!

Just wanted to give you some encouragement!  I inherited all the 'fun' genes too.  Most everyone in my family is obese and pretty much everyone on my dad's side is as well.  We have all the garbage that goes hand in hand with obesity as well: diabetes, acid reflux, anxiety, heart problems. You name it!  I was headed down the same road as well.  With my last baby, I weighed 260 lbs at delivery.  That's a lot for anybody, even me at my 5'8" frame.  Recently, my dad, who is very heavy, was diagnosed with pre-diabetes.  It's supposed to be easily controlled, if not cured, by diet and exercise alone.  But I see how difficult it is for him to change his habits and lifestyle at 51 years of age.  He's had nearly a lifetime with these habits.  I'm 26 years 'young' and decided that now is the time to change my course!  So I'm not only here to shed my extra 60 lbs, I'm here to get healthy and learn to fuel my body properly and treat it with respect. I'm here for myself and my husband and my kids.  I know that if I can change myself, I can affect the health of my entire family.  I started 7 weeks ago at 215 and now I'm 203.  It hasn't been super fast, but it's a huge step in the right direction.  So yes! You can fight fate and your genes and take control of your weight, your health, and your lifestyle!  Go for it!!!!

~Rachelle

I am 32 years young, 5'2" and 225 lbs.  I look at my future, and wonder if I am destined to be like my mother.  She is in her 50s now, is only 5'1" and I have no idea how much she weighs, but I know she wears 4x clothing.  I do not want to end up that way, and I'm pretty much half way there already.  I've been heavy most of my life (since puberty I guess).  I lost about 50 pounds two and a half years ago, but put it all back on when things got crazy at work.  I've climbed the corporate later since then and I'm in a better daily routine and schedule which means I have fewer excuses for not eating right and exercising.  I've done it once already, so I know I can do it again, but I'm having a super hard time motivating myself this go round and keeping it off once I get there will be a whole new challenge to deal with later.   My husband is going to try the slim fast diet also, but sometimes you just can't vent to a man even if it is your husband, so I'm looking for a buddy or two to talk to and keep the motivation going between us.

I just wonder if I'm destined to be this way, or can I really fight fate and take control of my weight?  Anyone else in these shoes?!?

~ Fighting Fate.