5 replies to this topic

[linda123]

Hi everyone, I am newly separated (2 weeks) and am struggly to stick with the program. I have 2 teenage sons, work full time, and attend Law School partime. I have been on the program for 3mos and lost 26lbs so far (77lbs to go). My motivation was pretty good last week, but this week, I feel like giving up. The stress of everything is starting to get to me and I need help. Any motivational words would be a big help to me. I want to lose this weight once and for all and be healthy. I just can't seem to get control right now.

[sweet addict]

Keep going strong so you can create that new you. Don't let the past hold you back from taking care of yourself and from being that sexy new you for the world to meet. Good luck, I'm sorry to hear of your hardship. "This too shall pass"
Tina

[linda123]

dieter gal, thanks for the encouragement. At 44yrs old, I never thought of myself as becoming a "sexy new me". I always considered myself a "wife and mother". I think I like the sound of that. Now I can consider myself a "sexy new woman".

[Marrgaa]

Linda, the best years of my life are, I swear, when I'm single! I have three teenagers (15, 14 and 14), and once I got that man out of my life, I finally TOOK CONTROL of my life, I'm doing it MY WAY, and nothing or nobody is going to tell me different! Sure, it's hard being single with children. One of the hardest lessons I learned is that I don't have to do it alone. What I mean by this is that I have family and friends falling all over themselves wanting to contribute to my family, people who love me and adore my children. When my mom asked if there was anything she could do for me, I jokingly said I could use a cook every Wednesday (my busiest day). So now, every Wednesday, I come home to a gourmet dinner, including dessert! My mother was raised in the south, and the woman loves to COOK. And she does not mind microwaving my Jenny Craig meal and serving it to me while the kids get honeybaked ham or lasagna - she's very proud of me for it. Then some good friends of mine (the kind I consider family too) and my sister got wind of it, and they come over now too. And that's just fine, because my mom loves to cook haha! So Wednesday dinners are a cross between the Waltons and the Sopranos - we have so much fun on those nights
My sister asked what she could do, I jokingly told her my son needed a ride to school twice a week after his morning hockey practice. Now that is all taken care of
I learned that people ask, and they are serious. All I have to do is say Yes. And I've learned that people don't mind when I ask for help
God bless!

[abigail]

Linda,
First of all, I'd say you're on the right track by doing JC and by asking for help. Your plate is FULL--I've been there. Raised two kids on my own--with coparent part-time for many years.
1. TAKE IT ONE DAY AT A TIME.
2. PROGRESS NOT PERFECTION.
3. FOCUS--I had to eliminate any activity that did not fit into the following 3 areas:
self, family, work.
SO, I skipped reading the paper when my kids were young (trusted others with more time and focus would run the world for a while).
I got a 9-to-5 job and a great day care lady I could trust--who was affordable.
I got a job that paid WELL (I had a college degree--that really helped.)
I staid thin which gave me energy for my life as a single mom.
I made time for myself--on my calendar.
I participated in a church community and worshipped weekly.
I took spiritual retreats once or twice a year and vacations once a year.
I saw a counselor when times got real tough--through EAP or insurance or paid by the hour.
I learned to have fun--folk danced, dated, swam, traveled, skiied, all over time, and so on.
I went to several long-term support groups--look around, there's many 12 step and other programs out there with people just like you.
Keep work at work and home at home.
Don't date coworkers.
See the beauty each morning and thank God for life!!

[linda123]

Thanks to all for the encouragement. Regardless of what happens with my relationship, I know I will lose this weight and be glad I didn't let anything stop me.