Hi Debbi, Yeah I don't know how single mothers do it. I couldn't. I applaud you for doing what you do. My kids are grown so I don't have quite the responsibilities at home that you do. Mine is more with their sports and crazy schedules. Husbands on the other hand sometimes (unintentionally) just take for granted all that we do. I am very grateful for my husband. Life just sometimes gets in the way of our relationship. I know it shouldn't but in the real world, it does. We are trying to work on things. I have talked to him and told him what is going on inside my head. Our schedule with the kids is crazy but we are going to try and squeeze some time in to be alone for a night or two. There might be a weekend in there when we can take off.. SO things are looking up! It's nice to know that we can count on each other for support, even just to vent on this board! Take care, Lori

YES! THAT IS THE SECRET TO WEIGHT TRAINING! ONLY While you are doing aerobic or Cardio- say 40 mins- are you losing weight- that's it WITH WEIGHT TRAINING -you build MORE muscle. You burn fat TWO WAYS: 1- muscle burns fat - read that again- the more muscle- the more calories that are NEEDED, to keep them. AND the bigger - the more fat they burn! 2-you CONTINUE FAT BURNING- LONG AFTER your weight training session has been completed. Thats right- even while you are asleep or cleaning the dishes. Weight training is what gives you- that lean muscular look. Its not obtained from just gym weights- but using hand weights- or dumbells. You start with 3 and 5lb weights for your biceps and triceps- and see the dfference in your arms in a month. When you combine BOTH - AEROBIC with WEIGHTS= result is lower BMI -even though you may weigh the same as someone else. PLUS- because you are using weights- your body can handle additional complex carbs- so you can eat more food- and not gain weight. You have to fuel the furnace. Just think that your body is undermuscled- and keep lifting weights. And Don't worry that you are going to look like bodybuolders- it won't happen. They train strenuously everyday and they bulk up with steroids and their body BMI is usually under 20. Take a look at "the firm" videos- they were the first to correllate weights with aerobic activity- ad far back as the mid-1980s. I hope that helps you- and gives you some ideas. Keep up the good work- Believe you can do it- and its only a matter of when! hugs, Donna

Hey girls! I was wondering if any of you are using myspace? If so, my url is www.myspace.com/clarissa323 There are more recent pics on there, if you wanna check them out. Hope you're all doing well. My blood pressure is sky high! But I did lose 8 pounds recently. Clarissa 346/211/150... will I ever make it?

Hey Lori! It is so wierd that we all have so mu*****ommon on this forum. I started to post the other day when I saw your post on meds, but time got away and I just lurked , anyway, I too have had problems with depression since childhood, and like you, was not on any meds until later, my early 30's. I started having alot of anxiety with my first husband and after that things went downhill dealing with life in general. I have been on many different meds, but after surgery I went from Lexapro to Welbutrin as well as klonipin, I had heard it had less side affects, you think more clearly, more focused, and less sexual side effects. I have still had problems, especially the last several months with depression and spoke with my doctor on Monday. We are thinking it is because my hormones are out of whack! I am in the early stages of menopause and I was given a round of meds to make me start my cycle, that was for 10 days, and I took the last pill on Sunday, here it is Wednesday and still no period. As soon as I start my period I am being put on low dose birth control pills with no side effects like weight gain, etc. and go back to my obgyn in 3 months....I am really wanting my cycle to get going again. I am only 44 years old, only huh?, anyway early for menopause to me, and it is also effecting my sex drive, which is not good. I have lost 147 pounds now and have to really push myself to even try to want to have sex with my DH. It is not him, it is ME...he is a wonderful lover and friend and has been very patient with me but now that he is losing weight as well his sex drive is getting stronger! HELP! Anyway, just thought I would share and let you know we all sometimes think no one else feels the same way we do, but then on this wonderful board where we can share our eyes are open and we can see alot of people are worse off than us. I hope your weekend trip works out. My hubby would kill for a Harley! Take care and know we can do this together as a group of supporters! Much and blessings! Nancy

Hey Lori, I think we all know what you are going through. I am considering going to see my doctor as well. Like, you, I am having a hard time handling stress. I work all day at my job that is currently outsourcing, then pick up my three kids from daycare, feed, bathe, take care of them and then get them in bed. Meanwhile, my "significant other" works 11p-8a so he has to make sure he gets plenty of sleep so he gets out of bed around 7p-8p then leaves for work at 930p. We see him maybe an hour a day and he is no help. He gets to come home after work, fix something to eat, take a nice long bath and go to bed. No laundry, no dishes in the sink, no toys on the floor and if the kids DO leave something lying around, he spends the hour we see him yelling at them to clean their rooms. My 7 year old son actually apologizes to me for making me mad when I yell at him, which makes me feel an inch tall and then yesterday, my 3 year old asked me why I am always yelling. I don't know how much more I can take. You all are all I have as well. My family doesn't live here and they don't care for my SO anyway, so they just tell me to MAKE him help. The point is, I should be able to do it by myself. I know I am not hte only single mom of 3 out there and I don't see anyone else whining about not being able to work and take care of their family. My little girl starts Kindergarten in the fall and I want to spend as much time with them while they are little as I know they grow SO fast. But I don't want to spend all my time with them too stressed to enjoy them. I used to vent by stress eating, but I don't have that anymore, which is a GREAT thing, but I don't have any other channel now. How do you other single moms do it all???? Debbi