Hi, everyone! My name is Lori Nelson.

Hi, ladies. My name is Lori and I am so excited for this new journey. I have a lot of hard work ahead of me but this time I am ready to make the changes that I need. I have struggled all my life with my weight. When I was 17 my mom died and after that I turned to food to comfort myself. I have loss weight and gained it back a couple of times in the last 15 years. After I had my last baby I never lost my pregnancy weight plus I gained about 30 pounds. That has been 5 years now! So here I am extremely overweight and ready to change! I started about 8 weeks ago walking and tracking everything I eat. I have lost about 15 pounds. I really am excited to have this support group. My family is a huge support to me but it always helps to have lots of people cheering you on! I know each one of us can do this and I am ready to go!

Kami Reynolds

Hi Everybody, my name is Kami Reynolds. I was added by Kelli Shimek last week because of my life changing post on FB.

This was my post: OK my FB friends, I am literally nauseated and scared to death to do this, but am getting desperate. I need to loose the weight of one whole person and am in desperate need of help. I am tired of of it holding me back from being who I really am, and from doing the things I really want to do. I don't have a lot of money and can't do it on my own. Where do I start? What can I do?

I seriously cried for 2 hours because it was so emotional for me, but never imagined the amazing response I would get. So many people believed in me and were rooting for me and were excited to see a change in me. I was getting messages from people I didn't even know telling me their stories, inviting me to support groups, trying to sell me pills etc.

I have been obese for as long as I can remember. I was teased mercilessly all through school and have always despised what I saw in the mirror. Food is my comfort. I eat when I'm sad, bored, happy, for get togethers, just because it's time, or just because I didn't care.

I tried everything under the sun but would always loose drive a couple weeks into it. I never had the will power to keep it going.

This time just feels different. I am doing this more for me this time, because I am sincerely ready for this change in my life, to look better, feel better, be better!

I started this change almost 2 weeks ago. I have lost 10 pounds by merely tracking my calories, drinking more water and exercising more. I feel a change happening a little bit at a time as I continue down this path. I have an amazing husband who is right by my side and 4 fantasatic kids that I love with all my heart! With friends and family supporting me, and so many people cheering me on wanting me to succeed, I will not fail!

Late to the Party :)

Hello ladies, sorry I am late to the party but better late than never huh? I wanted to write a little post to introduce myself. I am Kate Desmond. I am the mother of 5 wonderful children, my oldest will be 12 in August and my youngest just turned 1 last week. Here they are on Alexandria's blessing day (Can't figure out how to crop here so just pretend my Jared doesn't have his hand in his pants ;):

I have been married to my wonderful husband Dave for 13 years. Here we are (this was taken in July 2010 post weight loss):

We have lived in Bear River for a little over 4 years which is the longest we have lived anywhere since we have been married. We have moved a total of 13 times. We decided with this last move that we really need to settle down and let our kids make some real friends. Moving is hard but staying is too I have found. I think I might have some nomadic blood in my body :).

Ok, on to my weight loss/health journey. I had a late miscarriage (13 weeks) between my 4th and 5th children back in September of 2009. I was at a really low point in my life for not only the obvious reason but because I just didn't have very good self esteem. Growing up I felt like I could do anything I put my mind to but once I started having kids I didn't feel pretty anymore and being a parent is a much harder job than I ever thought it would be. I was just plain depressed and felt like a failure. I was at my heaviest after that miscarriage including when I was 9 months pregnant with my other kids and I just couldn't see how I was going to be able to take the weight off. Usually when I nurse I lose my baby weight but without a baby to nurse that just wasn't going to happen. My husband and I decided to take at least a year before trying for another baby to give my body a chance to heal from my D&C and for my mind to heal from this very hard loss. I decided in early November of that year to start trying to lose weight. Yes, I started BEFORE the holidays. And guess what? I lost weight instead of gaining it between November and January! My secret was that I followed the weight watchers system on my own (ie I never went to a center and just used the materials my SIL had from when she was a member). I also started exercising on a regular basis. I went to a Zumba class once a week and then did Biggest Loser for the Wii at home. Also, remember those pesky holidays? I gave myself the day off from counting points only on the actual holiday itself. That doesn't mean that I pigged out (ok lets be honest sometimes I fell off the wagon and pigged out) it just means I didn't stress out too much about what I was eating but did try to make mostly good choices. Long story short, I was able to lose 33 pounds before I got pregnant with my little girl and had a much healthier pregnancy. In fact I only gained 23 of those pounds back and was back to my pre-pregnancy weight within 3 months of giving birth to my baby.

Now, why am I here? Because this is how I look now:

I am proof that the number on the scale doesn't mean a thing! Even though the number on the scale is close (I have gained back about 5 lbs in the last 6 months, stupid hormones!) to what it was pre-pregancy my body is different. I had my 3rd c-section. My clothes don't fit right and I am positive that a lot of the muscle I built before has been replaced by fat. Mostly, I want to feel as good as I did before I got pregnant, there really isn't a better feeling than being able to keep up with your kids. I have fallen out of some of my good habits. I personally have a very hard time drinking water. I know that I need to and it isn't that I drink other stuff it is just that I forget to drink anything. I am sure that I am dehydrated 90% of the time. I read somewhere that when you start to feel thirsty you are already dehydrated so don't wait until you feel thirsty ladies! I also need some motivation from you guys. I am struggling right now because I have been through this all before and I know just how hard it is. I know that I CAN DO IT though and

YOU CAN TOO!

Hi I'm Toni Christensen

Hello,

My name's Toni and I just turned 49. I'm Kelli's mom (and proud of it). So my goal is to establish some better habits for a healthier me. I have Fibromyalgia and I know that there are some things that will make my life easier if I will just do them. These things are getting more hours of sleep each night, drinking more water, and avoiding the sugars that can make inflammation problems worse. Over exercising can also cause problems, but so can not exercising at all. I'm going to try to go on walks with my family and friends and to stretch and improve my flexibility. I think I will start to consistently track my sleep hours and water intake and also any minutes of moving my body. I will appreciate the support and encouragement from the SHE-Ras. It will help to motivate me to be a good girl and do what I know I should be doing. We are smart women and can make good choices in our lives. When we are healthy and happy we can lift and serve those around us. We can do anything we set our minds and hearts to.

Lisa

Hi, my name is Lisa. I am just starting on my new lifestyle journey. My weight gain started after high school and I haven't really don't to much about it. It has come on slowly and after I had my daughter I gained some more. I have told myself that I would never reach a certain weight. Thankfully I haven't but I did come within 10 pounds. I knew right then and there that I needed to do something differently. My goal is to lose 30+ lbs. It is hard to cook great healthy meals cause my husband needs the carbs for work. (He has lost 70 lbs. in 5 yrs.) and carbs are so yummy, I also have a huge sweet tooth. I have started to add more veggies to our meals. I am going to plant a garden this year too. Cause there is nothing like fresh fruits and veggies :) I have also started to drink more water. My other goal is to exercise more. I need to get off of my butt. I have started to go to a Zumba class and it is GREAT!!!! (I know that she will be doing it at Deweyville's Town Hall soon and only charge $2.50-$3.00 a class if anyone is interested. I will know more details later.) Since it is getting warmer outside, bike rides are on the horizon too. I know that being on here is going to help me stay motivated. Wish me luck!!

Hello, I'm Brittney!

Hi! My name is Brittney.
My weight has been up and down a ton over the past 8 years. I like to blame some of it on medications and a lot of it on motivation.
I was very active in high school and could eat pretty much anything I wanted without any issues. Once I moved to college that all changed. That's when I first started putting on weight. It was very gradual, so I could barely tell.
One day it hit me it was an issue when I weighed almost as much as my husband and I was about 30 lbs heavier than I was in high school. I'm a lot shorter than him and really shouldn't be near his weight. At the time I was going through some life issues where I just didn't have any self-esteem so I wasn't motivated to make a change. I didn't like myself, but it just helped me with my self-pity party.
Eventually, I decided I wasn't going to wallow in self-pity any more. I was going to change and nobody could get in my way. It also helped that I had a big vacation booked in a few months and I wanted to look better for the pictures than I'd looked in years.
I started to do the Couch to 5k program. It really helped me get motivated and get going. I was also counting all my calories. The pounds came right off! And they kept coming off.
I was so motivated especially since I was seeing dramatic results. My clothes were fitting and I just felt happier all around.
I met my goal weight for our vacation, but I decided to keep going and see where it took me. After a few more months I was able to hit what would have been my "dream weight". I felt so good because not only did I look much better, but I was able to set and achieve a goal!
In the end, I think I lost about 30 lbs total and lost several pant sizes.
Now I am trying to maintain my weight. I really enjoy eating healthy foods, but a have a TERRIBLE sweet tooth, especially at night. I do my Zumba every morning. (Although I really tried to like running I just couldn't do it. Not for me.) I LOVE doing Zumba and it helps so much to do something that I don't dread every day.
I tend to eat more and lose self-control when I have a lot of stress in my life. My weight has fluctuated, but I'm committed to never let it get back to where it was when I was my heaviest. Being healthy is not something you do for a few months, I believe it really is a lifestyle. My lifestyle is very different from before. I actually enjoy being active and feel yucky when I'm not.
I'm excited to be part of this group and to hear YOUR success stories!
Before:




After: (a few months ago)

Linds

My name is Linds 

I originally hail from the grand town of Tremonton. As soon as I graduated from high school in 2004 I ventured down to Salt Lake where I am currently living with my husband of almost 7 years.  I am also raising our aquatic turtle. He's a big commitment. (:

I have always struggled with my weight. My senior year of high school my family went through a drastic health change. We all did the South Beach diet and we lost a significant amount. After that I moved away and for 6 months I lived.....and without consequences. When I got married the pounds crept on and I gained a solid 40 pounds. Over the years I have succeeded in yo yo dieting. Every summer I look good. By the beginning of the year I am back to the same weight. Every year I tell myself that I am not going to go back to my old self. It is emotionally and physically exhausting. I promise though....this is it. Heaven help me! This has to be it!

Lately I have been exercising. I have discovered that I love to run outside. But it has come with a new frustration. My calves look great....but my butt and gut are stubborn. I have signed up at a gym and I hope between the two types of exercise and some healthy eating I can get it off for good.

Goals: Lose 30 pounds. Keep it off. Be a healthier me so I can produce a healthy lil linds in the future. 

I am excited to read all your stories and to get some added help from others. YAY for all of us!

hey! I am Nicole

Hi my name is Nicole Cantu. I guess we are all doing introductions. I am 20 years old and, I am a hair dresser, I get to play with people's hair all day so its a pretty good job :) umm I live at my parents house right now until i get my feet under me. I am the oldest so i was/am the guinea pig child lol but its good.

That is me on the right on March 10th.

So when i was in high school i was in Colorguard, i ran around and danced everyday so i never had to worry about working out. Then when i moved down to Saint George to go to school i gained 40 lbs. I ate out everyday and did absolutely no exercise, so obviously i was bound to gain weight. That was a year ago and i have been living at home since. I have lost around 10 lbs since then but that is just cause my mom won't let me eat out lol I still struggle with exercising so i hope that being a part of this group will help motivate me and kick me in the butt. I love being part of a team and reaching for a goal, so this should be good for me :)
I would love to lose weight and tone up and become proud of my body and myself. Lets go team SHE-Ra!

Sondra! :)

Hi my name is Sondra Nelson I am 37 years old. I have Three Children Marisa 13 Vanessa 10 and Derek 6. I work at the Elc in corrine and I work night a kents market. I started my weight loss journey in Nov of 2011. After I had gone to the doctor for a health screening. And he said things where good but that I might want to consider losing about 20lbs in the next to month ( That was Nov to Jan). That is right during the holidays. So I decided that I would join the result gym inTremonton and see how things go, Well I did not make the 20lbs but I did lose 17lbs. And then the chance came that the gym was having a biggest loser contest, so I found a partner and we joined in. They gave us certain thing that we were to try to do for two week and then we need to turn it in, So the first week was to right everything down that you ate. So I signed up for a program called myfitnesspal.com and type in everything that I ate and all my water and exercise. So I realized that if I had to write it down then I was not going to eat it or that I was going to eat less of it, or I need to work it off. So we are now down to the last two week and I have lost 49lbs since Nov and 32lbs since the contest started. I don't really think that is what I have lost but it is what I have gained and that I have changed my life for the better. I hope I can now make it a life changing thing and keep it up, and show other that is possible to do if you set your mind to it!

Hi!

Hi, everyone! For those of you who don't know me, my name is Tara Peterson. I started my weight loss journey seriously on March 10, 2011. I remember clearly what prompted me to start losing weight, and getting healthy. I was paying bills one Saturday morning, and had my 3 year old in tow. She was on my hip, and my shirt was a little tight. After baby, things change, right? That pooch has never gone away. Anyway, the lady that was taking my payment looked at me, and said, "Oh, congratulations! When are you due? It's so special to have little ones so close in age!" That was it. I was done. Since that time, I have lost 57 pounds. That's more than my (now) almost 4 year old!


A little back story:

I have always been big. I have never had the opportunity or experience to be a regular size. My motto, I guess, is go big or go home. I've never had the chance to wear a 2-piece swimsuit. Never had the opportunity to feel comfortable in my own skin. I graduated from high school in 2005. Right after high school, I moved over to Logan, and started going to Utah State. I started working at Convergys, met my (ex) husband, and slowly started killing myself with food. Got married, put on more weight. Got pregnant, put on more weight. Had a baby, split from ex, put on more weight. Nursed for 14 months, put on more weight. Stopped nursing, lost 10 pounds, put on more weight. Etc. After it was all said and done, I was 73 pounds heavier than I had been in high school. I started and stopped many times over the next three years. That day in March, though, stands out in my mind because I was done feeling fat, done feeling unattractive, done getting asked if I was pregnant when I'm pretty sure I'm still a single mom with no prospects. Ugh. So, in a word, DONE.

The next step was for me to join Weight Watchers. I cannot stay enough good things about this program. It has been a life-changing journey for me. Sometimes I do great, sometimes not so much. But each day is a new day, a new opportunity to change your life. The pounds slowly come off, and each time I get on that scale, and it reflects a loss, I am reminded why I am doing this. I am doing this for me. I am doing this for Emma. I am doing this for my family, my health, and MY benefit. I am doing this so I can be there for Emma. I am doing this so I can run and not be weary, and walk and not faint. I am doing this so I can play with my daughter. There will be people out there who are not supportive of them. Screw them. Don't let other people tell you you can't do it. You can. If I can do it, you can do it! Dig deep, find your center, and remember what motivates you.

Here's a before and after of me so far on my journey:

So, anyway. There's my story. I'm here to keep you all motivated, to help us all become SHE! :)

Ta-ta for now!

Tara

Hi, I'm Kelli

I suppose I can introduce myself. I think you all know me, but some at differing levels.

My name is Kelli. I am 26 years old. I have two children: my little boy Dallin (3 1/2 yo) and my little girl Lilly (1 1/2 yo)

I have been married for just over five years. Phil Shimek is an amazing husband and father. He does so much for us.

I am a stay-at-home mommy, most of the time. I do work part-time at a local library. Mainly I only have one day a week that I work, but I am occasionally called in to substitute for people. I'm also a Pampered Chef consultant, but I've really kind of slowed down on that. Long story short, I am usually home with my kids every day and by myself with them from 6:30 in the morning to 6 or 7 at night (on average).

My weight-loss journey (this time) started when Hubby and I started thinking that we are going to want to try to add to our family in the near future. My last pregnancy was pretty rough. I had really bad problems with a pinched sciatic nerve as well as lots of back problems the whole time. To prevent that I know I need to lose weight. When talking with my doctor we decided that my initial goal should be to lose around 30 pounds. It would get me in a better spot for my body to handle a pregnancy. I have currently lost 10 pounds and will keep working on it. I want to get my body used to working out so that I can still do it after I'm pregnant too.

This is probably my most recent picture. It was taken on March 10, 2012 at my brother's wedding reception. I'll think about trying to find a full body picture and I will work on getting some taken for our process here too.

So far I have been focused a lot on what I've been eating. I'm starting to struggle with it a little. I've got a sweet tooth and I just need to get over it. I've really been getting into biking on my stationary bike. My biggest thing is needing to schedule my life a little more efficiently so that I can get exercise in every day. I need to pick a time (it will probably need to be in the morning before kids wake up) and then go with it.

Anyway, that's me. :)