Hey, I am 5' tall and I am overweight. I have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, depression, migraines, thyroid disease, cholesteral issues. I was so proud of myself in 2003. I finally had lost 50 lbs. I felt good and actually had energy. I had 2 light strokes in august and october 2004. Thus ending my life as I once knew it. I have been sick since then. I have tried numerous ways to lose weight and I might lose 5 lbs but it comes right back. I haven't been able to exercise. I do good to exist in winter months. Hopefully as the weather warms up I will be able to get out some and get some of this weight off. I know I would feel better and it would help my health conditions. I have been told that my condition WAS IN MY HEAD too. The doctors here do not understand fibromyalgia. I hope you can get rid of some of the stress that you are having to cope with. Do you have help with your children? Are they on any medications for ADHD? Take care and God Bless You.

Tammy

Sounds like you need a "do over".  I applaud you for taking a stand with your doctors.  There's a lot of wonderful people on this site that are very supportive.  Doctors can be frustrating.  We tend to think of them as having super powers to heal us.  The fact is we know our body better then they do.  Getting them to listen is another fight.  I admire your strength and courage. Stay focused and stay strong. 

Honey,

I was YOU. I am also 4' 11" and my beginning weight was 265!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was so frustrated as well. If you had your thyroid checked, might pay you to get it checked again as it does tend to fluctuate at times.

I bought the book Winning By Losing by Jillian Michaels, you may have heard or seen her on the Biggest Loser show as one of the trainers.

At first I sat down and read the book, then I found in her Science part a formula which you can use to determine how many calories you burn in a day doing nothing at all, also known as your RMR.

Then you can calculate, based on your height, weight and age how many calories to eat to lose 1-2

pounds or more a week, and within one year I went from 265 to 120.

Check with your Dr. for your headaches. I had Pseudo Tumor Cerebri, you can look this up online. It was because of my obesity!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I had to have several spinal taps as a result.

I gained some back because I work full time now and I let my calorie count and exercise go for a few months over the holiday season and allowed some to creep, but I stopped it before it went out of control. I dropped 10 pounds in just one week going back on the plan.

It's simple, you eat 5-6 times a day and just count calories, I didn't get into the fat, carbs, protein part of it, and I didn't do her exercises either, I found that I enjoyed using an elliptical machine. I bought an inexpensive one for my home, as I can't always find time to get to a gym and the cost for that is huge.

YOU can do it. I'd be willing to help you figure the formula out and give tips if you think it would be something you are interested in

Don't despair. You are depressed and weight can do that.

Michele In Ohio 

I am so sorry to hear about your frustrations with your doctors and your struggles with obesity.  I too struggle with my weight but am finally starting to take control, no more excuses, no more i'll do it tomorrow, afterall there may not be a tomorrow.  Diets and workout plans can become frustrating and old causing you to want to give up and fall back into the rut, I purchased a wii fit and i found it to be the best thing i've ever done, the games get a little old but it's definitely great for motivational purposes and is a great way to start trying to get on track.  I'm about 5'2 maybe 5'4 ? and my heighest weight was 224lbs, but after deciding to finally take the plunge and take control of my life i am now at 210lbs with still a long way to go but am making progress.  I wish you the best of luck with your doctors and struggle with weight, i hope you find the answers you need and can make your life change :) best wishes for 2009 for you!