This thread will be for everyone to introduce themselves....post a little, or a lot! It's a sticky, so it will always be right at the top of the Forum.

Looking forward to meeting you!

i love this forum!!! i really love this forum!!! im jeffsprincess as most of you know. i have battled with an eating disorder for most of my life and i am finally beginning to overcome it. i think we need a forum like this on pto! we can all learn from eachother! this is wonderful ladies! keep up the good work!

Thanks for starting this, now maybe I'll have the will power and inspiration to lose some weight.

I have been "heavy" all of my life. I'm 5'4" and back in high school 20 years ago I was 160, and back then I thought I was "fat". I had my daughter when I was 21 I gained over 50 pounds with her. I lost some of the weight but not all of it. Then in '94 I joined Nutri System, I lostabout 30 lbs. before I found out I was pregnant with my son. Then last year I weigh the most I ever had 240! I was depressed and really hated myself. I joined LA Weight loss, well needless to say I got discouraged and stopped that program. Now I'm about 220. I don't want to go back to 240.

Ever since I was a teenager I have tried almost every diet and magic diet pill out there. I just need the will power and I know I can do it. I am an emotional eatter too. I know what I have to do to get the weight off. I just need the will power and encouragement to do so. Maybe this new forum here at PTO, will help.

Sam's girl

I have always been a big girl,taller then my classmates and just "big boned" but I never really had a problem with weight as in being overweight until my mid 20's.I was always pretty skinny for a 5'10 female but in my 20's I started packing on the pounds and reached my heaviest ever as you will see from my pictures I posted.When I was happy with myself and body I weighed about 60 pounds less then I do now! I don't think I'll get back to my lowest and I'm really not trying too but I would love to loose about 30 pounds and fit into a 13 again!! I doubt I'll ever be back to my perfect size 9 but a 13 would rock:)
I dieted last year and lost about 40 pounds but I have let them creep back up on me,I have gained back almost 20 of what I lost.For me a big part is depression I think and just my love of food.Food makes me feel good when I am happy or sad! I have a constant battle in my mind of wanting to loose to feel better about myself vs' not caring and just wanting to eat! I really am not happy with myself but I also lack motivation right now to do anything about it.I need to try though and this forum will help a lot!

First of all, I also want to welcome everyone to the newest addition to PTO forums... Dieting & Health. My name is PJ, I am the Georgia Forum Leader and I will be assisting Susan here! We are both very excited about what this forum can do for PTO members. As we all deal with the daily trials of life, I believe the situations many of us continue to face each day make us forget that we have to take care of ourselves, too. As a child, my grandfather always told me “P - you have to take care of yourself, because when it gets down to it, no one else in this world is going to.” I’m a firm believer. We are all beautiful creatures...let’s help support each other to take care of these bodies we have to live in while we are here on earth!

My story, don’t worry it won’t be as long as Susan’s....just kidding, Susan, love ya!

I want everyone to realize that this forum is not just for people who need to lose weight, but for anyone who wants to take care of themselves, eat healthy, learn to exercise and talk about many of the other physical challenges we face as humans.

Seven months ago I gave birth to my second child. I was bound and determined to have lost all my “baby weight” and be back in shape when my fiancé was released from prison June 17, 2004. Hey, can’t hurt to try, right? But it didn’t happen. With so few hours in the days, working a full-time job, taking care of 2 children, a house, etc., I couldn’t figure out why I just couldn’t lose the last 20 pounds of weight from my pregnancy. Stress? Maybe. Eating habits? Maybe. All I knew was this: I had to change my ways. I need to exercise, eat healthy and drink more water, without a doubt.

Three years ago my first marriage went down the drain. I had struggled through so much pain in that marriage, trying to stick it out for my son because I thought that was what I was supposed to do. I was cheated on, lied to, stolen from, mentally and physically abused... my own husband. I took him back, over and over and over again. Finally, a friend of mine gave me the courage to realize I had to move on. I will never forget the day... Sept. 25, 2001, I made him leave for the last time.

When I did... the depression kicked in. Depression was a big part of my life all through high school. At that time, I was working at a Dairy Queen and it goes without saying, I gained a good bit of weight then. I stopped working at the DQ, started seeing a counselor and got my head together just in time to barely get that diploma, but I did it. This time, the depression took a big toll on me. I started drinking heavily and as if that weren’t bad enough, stopped eating. My ex-husband had shattered every positive thought I ever had about myself. The break up was horrible and his screaming, degrading calls at all hours of the night and day only continued to lower my self image as each day went by.

Moving right along.... through the holidays the drinking only got worse....parties, going out with friends, heck, I was single now, I was going to have fun, right? Wrong.

March 2002... here I stood on the scale at the doctor’s office...5'9" and 118 lbs. I thought I looked good. In fact, I thought I needed to lose “just a few more pounds”. I couldn’t swallow, my glands swollen to the size of an orange and couldn’t keep my eyes open if my life depended on it. I had Mono and Tonsilitis, my doctor informed me, but this was not her main concern. She told me that she noticed symptoms of Anorexia and that she thought I needed medical help. She asked me when the last time I ate was and as I sat there and tried to think of when it was, tears started rolling down my cheeks. I hadn’t ate in over 2 weeks. And even when I did eat last, it was bread, some carrots and washed down with a Rum and Coke. Just enough that I could go on. I was taking diet pills, Metabolife and Ripped Fuel. Back before Ephedra was banned. I was slowly killing my body. I refused treatment for Anorexia, took my prescriptions for my Mono and went home. My son stayed with his father and I went to stay with my mother. I slept for over 2 weeks straight and ate nothing. I stayed in the spare room and only came out to use the bathroom or briefly talk to my mom. I was loving it! Now I had a reason not to eat or at least an excuse so no on could say anything.

The Mono went away and I returned to work. I was still only eating the bare minimum and then I saw myself in the mirror one day getting ready for work and still thought I was fat. If I did eat after that, I started making myself throw up. Continued with the diet pills and sat at work each day, literally shaking.

May 8, 2002..... out with a friend at a party, we were not able to drive ourselves home and we had to call someone to come get us. This is the day I met the man of my dreams...then I had no idea. He came and got us home safely, and a friendship developed. We started hanging out and things progressed from there. In that process, he expressed he feelings our how beautiful he thought I was, but that he was really worried because he saw I didn’t eat. This man saved my life. We started living together shortly afterwards and I would go home to have lunch with him everyday, we would eat dinner together and sit and watch movies, eat popcorn, ice cream, you name it.

Back to now... I am extremely hard on myself still about my weight. Right now, I hate my physical appearance. I desperately need to tone up and continue to eat healthy. I’ve been eating one meal a day for over 3 months now and I am affraid to fall back into Anorexia and I don’t want my fiancé to have to deal with that again. I want to “look good” for my fiancé, even though he tells me I look fine and he loves me, I want my clothes to fit... I want to feel good about myself.

I guess this intro is all over the place. But what I am trying to share is that we all have our own battles. Maybe some of us are overweight, some need to learn to eat healthy or exercise, battle an eating disorder or whatever. The common ground we have.... we need to take care of ourselves, together.

Patience...wow!

Your story is unique, yet very similar to what I've heard from other women, both here at PTO, and in my personal life.

It's so easy to fall into poor eating habits, whether it be undereating or overeating, choosing the wrong foods, skipping meals, etc. When you know you're predisposed to those issues, it's like a constant vigil...always having to be on guard for the disorder to "take over".

I commend you for wanting to take control of your health, and be the best "you" for your family...when we don't take care of ourselves, they have a lot at stake as well.

I'm proud to have you along in the birth of this new home of ours, and can't wait to see what tomorrow brings!

Peace and light,
Susan

Im not lookin to shed a lot of pounds but here is my story, Its more towards the healthy part of the forum than the diet part.

Im 5'3'' and 128 (132 last week!) I was a full time smoker and drank nothing but soda and ate fast food all the time. (I'm only 21 in oct)

Anyway my main goal was to quit smokin and go back down to 115-120 (just to get toned up, not lose massive weight) And pick up better eating habits.

Last week I joined a gym. While i was working out I had such short breaths I knew quitting smokin now was a good time. Well I did it I havent had a cigarette since (and Im currently whitening my teeth cause my teeth aren't the whitest arround from smoking And as for eating for lunch i bought myselve several smart ones from weight watchers, and veggies with dip. I go to the gym at least 4 times a week for an hour each time, and i drink nothing but water or juice throughout the day.

This is my intro, nothing great, just tryin to be healthier that way I don't run into problems in the future

I'm Lisa and I've dealt with eating disorders since I was 14. At 18 I weighed 89 pounds and thought I was fat. While pregnant, I picked up 10 pounds and was told by his father that I was fat. This only encouraged me to put something down my throat more often. I got to the point that I can vomit at will now. After my divorce I went to food for comfort and blew up to 250. I then started to abuse laxatives, water pills, and anything else that would make me speed up. I lost 100 pounds in 4 months and ended up in the hospital. These habits are so hard to break for me. Even now after I eat, I have to fight the urge to head for the bathroom.
I'm 5,4 and am at 190. Although I can hide my weight well, I know it's there. I know I need to eat better, when I do eat, and to increase my exercise time. If I have some support, it would make it all the more easier for me.

Well, I've been "big" for as long as I can remember (with a good ole' ghetto booty...) :D I have tried alot of different diets (weight watchers, Slim Fast...back in the day...and some other ones). None of them worked...when I DID lose...it came right back. Well, back in 2000 I started staving myself (not intentionally)...I was living with this roommate that (to put it nicely) liked to wake up in the middle of the night and "clean out the fridge". Therefore...I had nothing to eat. I lived off of ramen noodles (we would 1/2 a pack of them....and I only ate once a day)...and water (and occasionally kool-aid and tea). Well, I did lose alot of weight...but, I looked just sick as could be. My eyes were sunk back in my head...my skin looked horrible...you can just imagine. It was all because I wasn't gettin' the nutrients I needed. My then boyfriend kept talkin' about how awful I looked so...he would go to subway and buy a footlong sub...and sit there and TRY to make me eat the whole thing. HA...that wasn't working. I had went so long without eating...I would eat like 3 or 4 bites off of it...and I wanted to throw up. So...I moved out from that place and moved back home with my parents...my mom cooks all the time so...guess what? Selena blew right back up...but, I looked alot healthier...ya know? Since then...I have lost/gained continuesly. When I started working last year...I would eat once a day (at night before I went to work)...I was moving around all night at work (exercise) and ate stackers like they were candy (bad move...I know). But...I went from a size 22 to a size 16...in a matter of months. Then...I got pregnant. Gained weight back...but, I miscarried at 5 1/2 months. So...that added stress made me wanna eat that much more. Right now...I'm at my highest weight ever (around 235) :( I started having problems with my ovaries again so...I went to my gyno and found out I have PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) which doesn't allow you to lose weight...and when you do lose it...you gain it right back. My body produces to much insulin (which we all know isn't good). So, my doctor has put me on some meds...and gave me a diet to follow (and exercise)...so, hopefully this will work for me. I think with my doctor's plans...and the love/support from my PTO family...I can do this!!! :D
I can't say enough how HAPPY I am that we have this forum on PTO...IMO...it makes a great, great place...even better! Thanks, David...and whoever else had a hand in making this forum happen!!!

huggs,
Selena

Thank you PJ for sharing! :)

great intro!

PJ WOW, WHAT A STORY. I CAN ALMOST RELATE TO EVERYTHING THAT YOU SAID. MY HEART GOES OUT TO YOU CAUSE I HAVE BEEN THERE. I WAS NOT EVEN 5'5 AND MY LOWEST WEIGHT WAS 77LBS. THAT WAS MY ALL TIME LOWEST. I REMEMBER LOOKING IN THE MIRROR AND LOOKING AT A FAT DISGUSTING PERSON. AND EVEYTIME SOMEONE WOULD STARE AT ME, I THOUGHT IT WAS BECAUSE I WAS FAT. I DIDNT REALIZE THAT THEY WERE LOOKING AT ME CAUSE I LOOKED LIKE I WAS ALMOST DEAD. WHEN I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL, I REMEMBER MY PARENTS FIGHTING OUTSIDE MY ROOM. THEY HAVE BEEN DIVORCED SINCE I WAS 5 AND EVERYTIME THEY WERE AROUND EACHOTHER THEY WOULD GO AT IT. YOU KNOW, THEY WERE TRYING TO PUT THE BLAME ON EACHOTHER FOR WHY I WAS THERE. THE DOCTOR EVEN HAD TO SAY TO THEM, YOUR DAUGHTER HAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND IF WE DONT DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS SHE IS GOING TO DIE. ALL WHILE I WAS SCREAMING IN THE HOSPITAL TRYING TO RIP MY IV'S OUT. I WAS SCARED THAT THE IV'S WERE GOING TO MAKE ME FATTER. THANK GOD, I OVERCAME MY ANOREXIA, BUT NOW IM TRYING TO OVERCOME MY BULIMIA. THE SCARRIEST THING IS THAT I DONT WANT TO EAT SO I WONT THROW UP! MOST PEOPLE DONT REALIZE THAT MANY RECOVERING BULIMICS, SLIP INTO ANOREXIA. THAT HAS BEEN MY FEAR, BUT I TAKE IT ONE DAY AT A TIME. THATS ALL WE CAN DO. YOU WENT THROUGH SO MUCH AND LOOK HOW FAR YOU HAVE COME!!! YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL!!! I DONT KNOW IF WE WILL EVER BE HAPPY WITH OUR BODIES THOUGH. I DONT KNOW IF WE WILL EVER LOOK INTO THE MIRROR AND SEE WHAT EVERYONE ELSE SEES. PJ. WHAT ABOUT EATING REALLY SMALL 3 TIMES A DAY??? WHEN I FIRST STARTED TO STOP THROWING UP, MY BODY COULDNT HANDLE ANYTHING. IT WAS SO USED TO NOT HAVING ANYTHING IN IT THAT ANYTHING I ATE WOULD MAKE ME SICK. FOR THE FIRST WEEK I WAS ONLY ABLE TO EAT LETTUCE. NOW I CAN EAT FRUIT AND A VEGGIE BURGER, BUT NO BREAD. I EAT SALAD, BUT VERY SMALL. TRY EATING A BANANNA FOR BREAKFAST. THEY MAKE THESE REALLY GOOD MEAL REPLACEMENT BARS. THEY ARE BY POWER BAR BUT THE LINE IS HARVEST BARS. I SWEAR BY TOFFEE CHOCOLATE CHIP. THEY ARE SO GOOD AND ARE LOADED WITH SOY AND FIBER. ITS LIGHT AND ISNT HEAVY. YOU DONT WANT TO FALL BACK, YOU HAVE COME SO FAR!!!! YOUR STORY HAS INSPIRED ME! HANG IN THERE GIRL!

Selena, please tell me what are stackers?
cmom

C mom ~ "Stackers" are diet pills.....it's a brand.

I'm Jennifer, I've been heavy all my life except from 1996-2001. I had lost all of my weight and was happy at a size 12. Met hubby, gained all plus some back by munching in the car during my long drives to see him and stopping at fast food joints. Anyway, I just had gastric bypass surgery on June 8th of this year and so far, 15 weeks later, I have lost 74 pounds. I just joined a gym about a month ago to help firm some of the flab up before I have a lot hanging. I hope to be able to have the extra skin around my stomach removed after I get down to where I want to be. It hasn't been an easy road, you have good days and bad days after the surgery. But I have no regrets for having the surgery done, other than not having it done sooner.

Thanks for starting this, now maybe I'll have the will power and inspiration to lose some weight.

I have been "heavy" all of my life. I'm 5'4" and back in high school 20 years ago I was 160, and back then I thought I was "fat". I had my daughter when I was 21 I gained over 50 pounds with her. I lost some of the weight but not all of it. Then in '94 I joined Nutri System, I lostabout 30 lbs. before I found out I was pregnant with my son. Then last year I weigh the most I ever had 240! I was depressed and really hated myself. I joined LA Weight loss, well needless to say I got discouraged and stopped that program. Now I'm about 220. I don't want to go back to 240.

Ever since I was a teenager I have tried almost every diet and magic diet pill out there. I just need the will power and I know I can do it. I am an emotional eatter too. I know what I have to do to get the weight off. I just need the will power and encouragement to do so. Maybe this new forum here at PTO, will help.

Sam's girl
i dont believe im been member of pto for a year now and just found this forum. i had my quertly check up last thursday and have gained another 3 lbs.which wouldnt be so bad except its on to of the40 ive gained in past year. my story i was always a tiny girl 5ft 2 in never weighed over 100 except during pregancy. was a smoker all my adult life and worked in physically demanding jobs but about 4 years ago i started having health problems so quit smoking and got a desk job. hence the weight gain . 2 years ago i had a stroke which left me disabled so i nolonger work for first time in dult life.i now weigh 169 lbs. the biggest iveeverbeen. i go to gym at least 3 days a week. and eat healthy foods my problem is portion size.could use some girlfriends to chat with some buddies for suport.so glad i found this section of pto at this time. when most needed. i really want to get my weight down to 125to130. time i feel i felt mybestand looked my best.well thats my story .i will be back on this section for support. and looking for tips on weight lose i know what to do but seem to have no displine when it comes to food.just having otheres to talk to willl help.i think.thanks for listening

As a young child and a teenager, I was always slender and muscular. I was a gymnast and a cheerleader in highschool and I graduated at 113 pounds. I never thought anything about what I ate as I was always active and it never caught up with me then. Ohhhhh...to my dismay...it would eventually do so....

I stayed pretty slender in college and then I was married at age 22. I had 3 children with my ex and eventually found myself to be "comfortable" at 135-140 by age 28. I figured I was getting older and I had c-sections so it would be impossible to go any lower. Well...after a rocky road with that guy, I left him at age 30 and moved here to Phoenix in 1994 weighing in at 165. Although I felt like a new person, with a new life, I knew I had to do something so I lost 36 pounds and felt like a million dollars. I worked 2 jobs and had the 3 kids to keep me busy. I lingered back and forth between 135 and 150 for the next several years.

In September of 2000, I met my hubby and weighed in at 148. I was comfortable. Much to my surprise, new hubby LOVES to cook!!! Ohhhhh boyyyyy....here we go......a person to cook, for a person who can EAT!! Over the next 3 years, weight fluctuated from 145 to 170.

I was working for a good company, didn't care much for my supervisor-which ultimately led to my leaving, so I was unemplyed in July of 2003. Now I could stay home all day and eat whatever I wanted...ummmmm....NOT a good idea...

By July of 2004 I had gotten to about 175 and was depressed. Hubby was arrested and I was lost....so...I ATE!! After all the "hoopla" of getting him home, and getting things straight, I had gained another 20 pounds!!! Good GRIEF!! So, at last count, I am 193.2 pounds and I REFUSE to get any bigger. I thought..."oh myyy....I weigh almost 200...where the heck did that come from?"

I am 5'4" and have a medium bone structure. I have muscle that will never go away because of the years of gymnastics. ( I still to this day hold the female leg-press record for my high school at 760 pounds...yep...ladies...these legs are "lethal weapons"...now if only I could slide my stomach to the side so I could lift them....sheesh!!)

At any rate, my goal is to lose the 60 pounds that I am carrying for someone else by next May...not a hard goal to accomplish. I know I can do it...I just need to be pushed. I've become lazy and I tend to leave my motivation on my pillow each and every morning!! So with that in mind...I ask for your help. I have read your stories and I want to be a part of this whole shabang!!

irish...I will send you the photos for posting..thanks for offereing to do that for me. I truly appreciate it!!

Here's to us, ladies.....let the journey begin!!

Cheryl

I'm Ronnie. I have been slightly overweight my entire life; but my weight never really became a problem until after the births of my 2 daughters, which was 13 & 15 years ago! I gained 80 pounds with my first pregnancy, but only lost 20 of those pounds after her birth. Then 9 months later I was pregnant again and gained 40 more pounds with this pregnancy and lost NONE!!! I had carried this weight around for 14 years before I decided that it was time to make a change. Actually my doctor told me it was time to make a change. I was having heart palpitations that were scaring me to death. I did not want to die, so off to Weight Watchers I went. I had always had a family membership to the YMCA, but had never used it; but I started to then. I am about 18 months into my new healthier lifestyle. I have lost 100+ pounds and still have quite a few left to go to reach my goal; but I continue on. I think this is a great forum here on PTO. We need support and encouragement to help us reach our goals!

I have battled with an eating disorder since I was 16. It started as me just wanting to lose a little weight. I weighed about 145 and was 5'7. It all started because the girls in my school were asking if I was pregnant. I was like no I'm not. So, that's when I decided to lose weight. In about a year, I was down to 103!!! My mom took me to the doctor and he told me if I lost anymore weight that I was going straight to the hospital. I got up to about 109 then found out I was pregnant. I'm still rather small...5'8 115, but I have to make myself eat sometimes. It is something that I battle with to this day. (btw, I am 26 now)

Trisha, this Forum is not only for people who want to "lose" weight...it is for anyone who struggles with weight/health related issues, be it weighing too much or too little, or eating disorders. Everyone is welcome here ;) I'm glad you posted an intro!

Ronnie, I've been following your story since this Forum opened, and I am very impressed with it. Losing over 100 lbs. is an incredible accomplishment, and you should be very proud of your new outlook, girl! Fantastic!

Hi, I'm Lani! I'm 5'3 and weigh 130 pounds. The most I ever weighed was 140. My goal is to mainly change my eating habits, become more physically active and to hopefully loose 15 - 20 pounds. I've always been thin (110 - 115 lbs.) even after I had my son. It wasn't until this year that I started to gain a lot of weight. :eek: It all started when my fiancé was incarcerated this January. I'm an emotional eater. I go to the gym 3 - 5 days a week but I think the reason I'm not losing any weight is because of my eating habits. On Monday, I start the south beach diet...

Hi there ladies, my name is James, I am 6' and weigh 230, I have always been the big kid in school. not always the tallest but almost always the heaviest....I rember my mothers dismay when i was a kid trying to find me pants that fit...Well i am sure as most people who have been heavier for most of your lives i have also yo-yo dieted, the most i have ever weighed was 256 and the lowest was 183 when i was just graduated from school and was working out every day running 5-8 miles a day. Well I have given up trying to lose weight as mesure ment of pounds. Now i just have goals as getting back to being able to run 4-5 miles a day and not pass out from being winded too much, and being able to be flexable again, you know tuching the floor instead of just the upward pointed toes with bent knees :D . I know that if i can maintain these few things I know that I wont have to worry about what other people think of my body becouse i know i will be happy with who I am.

Hello my name is Kim and I am over weight!!
*crowd- Hi kim Welcome!* lol just kidding...

But I am over weight, I need to lose around 15 lbs. That is the hardest!! My story begins long ago (6 years) at the age of 15;
I was always a normal teen never big but not too small... then I became pregnant, and woo hoo the weight came I gained 100lbs in just 7 months of pregnancy. I had a really bad pregnancy and almost died:mad: but the weight stayed and we recovered! I tried to lose weight over and over but to no avail....

*Fast forward > 4 years My ex went to jail and I was bored and lonely and my twins were young still so I worked out everyday 2 hours a day non stop... I lost the weight but was obsessed with exercising (agree there could be worse things to be addicted too). Then we called it quits and I met someone new, we got caught up in that new love stage and only wanted to spend time together. Slowly my workouts went from 7 days to 2 days then 2 hours and now are at zip....

The weight creeped back but now I am ready to lose again. We are still together and very much in love but over the I have to spend every waking hour with you phase (but not by far! lol)
The problem being I am now working two jobs (60+ hours a week), have twins that are 5 and 3 animals = no time for much... I never really dieted before besides the switching sodas and drinking lots of water that I still do now so I am stuck!! Since monday I have worked out when I can ie. jogging while walking the dogs, stretching, and crunches while watching the Swan! Now I am on this 1200 calorie a day kick we will see how that works!! Well, good luck to all and I hope we all acheive are goals what ever they may be!! Thanks for reading and if you have some advice or questions PM me!! Kim:p

Hi my name is Sherry and I'm from Bumpass VA and yes you read that right.

My battle with the bulge started many moons ago. Believe it or not I was not the fat kid in class. I had a nice figure, okay awesome figure. I won legs contest at bars etc. Then, I got married and had two kids and divorced,and well lets just say, "legs? What legs?" Seriously, I'm the heavist I've ever been. I haven't dieted in so long that I just don't know where to begin. I need to loose a lot like 80 lbs. If I didn't have kids I would apply to be on the biggest Loser. I'm serious. Then I'm afraid if Ioose too much will I have all that flab? What's worst fat or flab, I'm unsure. I love myself regardless and have a great family. My honey tells me all the time that he loves me just the way I am. He met me this way and says it doesn't bother him. I guess that's why I love him so much.

I know that for my health I need to loose weight, I was gestational diabetic with my youngest son and can become diabetic the older I get. Since I'm no spring chicken I need to be concerned. I have thought about Trimspa etc but help... I don't know where to start.

thanks for listening,
Sherry

Well, i am so happy that i found this forum !!! :D

Here's my little story...

I'm 28 and i've been a big girl all my life. I always had big bones so i could never weight 130 pounds. I'm 5'7. I started putting on weight at the age of 7 years old. When i finished high school i weighed 244 pounds. The next year i went to nutri-system and lost 70 pounds. I felt great but i still saw myself as fat. I wanted to weight 130 pounds like my friends. I now have accepted that i will NEVER weight 130 pounds and that's fine by me. Then nutri-system closed and was on my own. I started to enjoy my new me a little too much and started going out to clubs like crazy and drinking. Then the weight started coming on again. I gained all the weight back + much more. In 1999 i hit 325 pounds. I was depressed and disgust with myself.

Then i started walking for 20 minutes everyday and without dieting i had lost 20 pounds in a matter of 3 months. I stayed at 305 for a little while. Then i started making new friends and going out more and the weight just started coming off. When i got a new job as a receptionnist in 2001 at a health center i was 285 pounds. Then the following year i got down to 244 pounds. I exercised and ate mostly a vegetarian diet. Now, i stayed there a little while and this year i started putting the weight back on. I went trought a burn out and depression so i turned to food for comfort. I now weight 268 pounds. Mentally everything's back to normal, but i still struggle to get started to lose at least 80 pounds.

So, i'm happy to have found this forum !!!
Mellie:D

Hi
when i danced, i was trained in ballet. i was very thin. i wore a size four. then when i was 16 i got hit by a truck and haven't been able to dance. so i went up to a bout a size seven and that was farily healthy, i was riding horses by then so i was still active. i know that i looked unhealthy when i was a size four. i am 5'7. anyway over the last cuople of years i have been so involved in trying to help my ex that i kinda lost everything else and gave up riding to move and help him thruoh rehab. over that time i gained more weight and am wearing a size 10, which to me feels too big. i would like to be a size eight or so. i have started riding again and have been eating healthier so i am losing wieght and now that it is winter i am going to the gym.

My weight has always been an issue for me ever since I was little. My mom worked 2 jobs and was never home to make dinner so I ate any thing I wanted. Cookies, cake you name it and I ate it. I always got teased for being the "fat girl" in grade and school and the first 2 years of high school.I was a home body never had much friends and liked to sit in front of the T.V. My summer break going into Junior year I started working and the only job I could find at the time was 25 min away walking distance. I wasn't home to eat and walked to work every day and home. I was looking and feeling good for the first time in my life. I drank a glass of orange juice for breakfast got on the bus to school and didn't eat lunch, maybe something to drink. Started snaking on fat free candies and soon as I walked in the door was right back out again for work.Started wearing a size 14/16 which was the biggest deal for me. Stopped eating fast food alot and started eating more healthy cuz guys were coming at me now and I loved the attention I got. Maintained my weight my last 2 years of high school, met and fell in love with my soul mate. We had a rough begining cuz he lived with someone at the time we met. He let me know that it was okay to enjoy a dinner that wasn't healthy[Fast Food] and I loved that I didn't have to put on an act around him, that I was able to not feel guilty bout what I ate. I still maintained my weight. Then 3 years into our relationship I got pregnant and he got in trouble, sent to boot camp and came home 2 months before our first son was born. He wasn't there to see me eat everything I wanted cuz I used the {well the baby has to eat] excuse! Needless to say my maintaining was out the window. Before pregnant I was 180, I gained 65lbs. After I had the baby, lost some of the weight but not all of it. We went thru some more rough times, got pregnant again before our oldest was 1. Had that baby, lost some of the weight, I gained about 45-50 lbs. 4 years went by hadn't lost the weight from the pregnancy's. Got pregnant in 2002, gained less weight had a 10lb baby, which is now 2 and the weight from all 3 is still around my waist. I've tried slim fast, trimspa, ect. I work nights, take care of our 3 boys and don't have much time or money to go to gym. Sometimes I find my self eating cuz I'm bored or upset. I want to lose this weight more than anything, I'm at my heaviest 250t,5'9. I know my man wants me just the way I am but know that he'd perfer me to lose some of the weight. I feel like I'm just rambling on, anywho that's my intro. Any comments or suggestions are welcomed.

I eat when I'm bored too. That's why I gained a lot of weight after meeting my husband. I would get bored sitting in the hotel rooms, bored during the 6 hour drive, etc. Even after having gastric bypass surgery I still find myself snacking when I'm bored. Of course I can't snack like I used to but the HABIT is still there. Update on my surgery, I'm now down 100 pounds since June! Yay! I just have to stop the BAD HABITS before they get out of hand.

hello ladies my name is cassie and ive been bigged bone for a long time and about 2 yrs ago i lost 70 lbs in 6 months i had sumone who always called me fat and all that stuuff that came with it and now im not with him anymore i found my husband he doesnt do that to me but i want to be back the way i was before i got pregnant so i got to lose like 50 lbs cant wait i want to look good for myself plus for my husband too

Well i have been thin most of my life. Right until i turned 21 and mved up north. i got really sick and was in the hospital alot i had bronchitis. The doctor gave me steroid shots and i blew up that a blowfish. I went from 103 to 140 and i am only 4ft 11 so you know i looked like roly poly. I had a high self esteem and i loved me for me but then my family came in to play and all it was about was how big i was and how could i allow myself to look the way i was. I started to every so often to eat and just throw it up and it made me feel so much better like i was losing instant weight when i actually wasnt. i was doing it quite often but no one in my family knew about it. I met my husband i was 130 and he loved me for me and made me feel happy. i got pregnant and i lost weight cuz i couldnt hold nothing down. So i ws in the hospital most of the time for that also him going to prison didnt help either. i get it constantly from my mom (whom i live with) about my weight and when my family sees me they see me they get on my case about my stomach. When i had my daughter i had a c-section and i still hve that pouch. My cousin recently had a baby and she is so thin already and that is all i hear about how mines is almost 2 and look at me like a fat cow. my self esteem is like a roller coaster sometimes i look at myself as so beautiful but when they are done i look at myself like how could i have ever thought that.
My husband told me that if i am losing the weight cuz of him i need to stop for he loves me the way i am and after all it was his child that caused me to get a belly but if i want to lose it he will support me as long as i promise that i dont make myself throw up. i dont do that as much anymore i only do every couple of mths.
I currently weight 111 but my stomach still has that hump..

I cant do situps cuz of a horrible car wreck that i was in. so after about 2 situps i am in horrific pain. i do crunches but someone says that wont help.

Sorry for so long.

I have always been big boned. However, I've always been physically active (well, from tee-ball through high school). When I was in 8th grade, my best friend almost died of anorexia. She, thankfully, is alive and well today, but she fights with her disease every meal. It really had a big effect on me. She hid it from me and I felt guilty when I finally found out what was wrong with her; I hadn't noticed for years.

I don't know I am qualified to write this intro, but I am very insecure about my weight. I have big breats, and big bones- and would absoluetely love to lose 25 pounds. I cannot take diet pills- I have a minor heart complication. This is going to sound so sob-story, but when I was in middle school my first crush made horrible comments about my weight. I remember exactly what he use to say

"Lose 20 pounds and then speak." "You are too fat and blubbery to be seen with." "I hope there are a lot of blind guys at the high school so you will finally get a boyfriend."

I set my standards very low for myself and stayed with a guy who used me for many things for 2 years just because he didn't say anything bad about the way I look.
Now, I eat when I'm upset, and regret it. I have never been anorexic or bulimic (though I have tried to make myself throw up years ago). I just am trying to change. Eating healthy on a college campus isn't easy, but it is my goal. I also am trying to go to the gym more. I just want to feel better about myself.

Cawilla you are beautiful and to that guy from your past what a loser. He probably had his own issues and just felt better to pick on you. You are in college and are doing great things with your life .. What ever goals you set for youself i just know that you can more than conquer them for you are the strength that holds so many things together. Now just use that strength to focus on your personal goals and everything will work out fine.
if you ever need someone to talk to feel free to pm me
Jillian

Yes, food (especially eating lots of it) and I go WAAAAAAY BACK! I was always taught to clear my plate; if I didn't I would get beaten by the elders, meaning my parents, aunts, uncles, etc. Or they would force feed me the food. Then I was placed into foster homes between the ages of 8-13 and found that there were people out there who could actually cook good food. I ate and ate and ate then, but I was also active outdoors, playing with the neighborhood kids and I was taking hula and Tahitian dance classes about 4 times a week. So even though I ate like a pig, I kept the weight off.

Fast forward to adulthood, with massive weight gains and losses. I've been on Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, Slim Fast, Nutralife, Herbalife, Atkins. I'd lose so much weight, then gain it back and more. My physicians tell me that the reason why I gain the weight back is because I'm trying to "pad" myself so that guys don't notice me. If I'm fat and ugly, they'll leave me alone. Because if a guy paid any attention to me, then I'd have to risk opening up and getting hurt, which I knew would always happen.

But now I'm in my early 40's, and losing weight isn't as easy as it was when I was in my 20's. I have to work very hard at it now, every single day. I have to watch what I eat. I had to give up ciggies. And I finally got into an exercise routine, which I hated because I always thought that I was too lazy to do so.

I'm so glad that I was invited to come to this forum by a member who frequents one of the forums that I "work" in. And I'm so ready to lose this weight. I have a shrink to work with when I get to the point where I start to panic about not being comfortable about being healthy and slimmer. For me, it's a very scary concept to lose 30 pounds...I feel like I have to surround myself with fat to protect me. But I'm hoping with the help of my shrink and all of you that I can get over this fear.

May all of you brave souls (whether you're trying to lose or gain weight) be blessed and reach the goals that you desire. And wish me luck too.

P.S. 1st pic taken last March, 2nd pic taken last November and 3rd pic just taken tonight (3/31/05).

Hey gang!
I've been overweight for most of my adult/teen life. It has varied by how much I was overweight, but I was never at a healthy weight.
My low point was 255 pounds, at 5'9"...most people didn't believe how much I weighed because I'm fairly tall.
As of now, I've lost 52 lbs.
I'm doing the Atkins diet, but I'm not as strict as the plan says...though I may become more strict because I've hit the dreaded PLATEAU and I hate it! I was working out 5 days a week, but I've stopped for now. I may try a Pilates tape at the end of the month.
When I started the diet, I wore a size 26. Now I can fit into size 16 or 18 depending on the label.
Also, since my dearest is a very talented artist, he is doing a nude portrait of
me with a healthy body. I'll be able to use it to visualize what my body may look like.
I'm glad I finally jumped into this forum!:D

Hey Ladies,

I can't believe I just found this forum but am so happy I did. I have been up and down on the scale since college but never really stabilized. I have from a size 8 to a 14 in my closet. At my largest I've been 193 and at my smallest if I remember correctly it was 160 (or at least when I started caring)

I am a fast food/eat out junkie. Love to eat and drive and crave food on the go. It's the hardest thing to overcome. I am a true emotional eater and love to do it ALONE. But, I am getting active. I have been kickboxing and got a personal trainer so that helps big time.

My ex boyfriend used to always tell me he had never dated anyone as big as me and would always watch what I ate and comment. I think that's when I started eating alone and on the go in the car and stuff.

But here I am at about 180 right now and trying to get to 150 and want to do it the right way! Slow and steady so it will never come back!

I wanted to say welcome to all who have recently joined this forum. I'm so happy that I found it and so happy that all of you found it too!!! :)

I have been overweight all my adult life. My weight pretty much stayed stable until about 4 years ago. I went to the doctor, and she told me I weighed 217 pounds. This was by far the biggest I had ever been.

I think it was due to all the stress of raising three kids, boyfriend being incarcerated, going to school, and doing everything on my own and never taking time out for "me."

Unfortunately, since then I have gained a few pounds still. I go on periods where I exercise, but the weight never really came off.

I have started walking, and it is my goal to walk for an hour each night. I also would like to start working out. I love lifting weights.

But my goal is to be down to 150 pounds. I would be so happy with that weight. It is just a matter of saying no to sweets and more to exercise and healthy living.

Glad I found this forum. I really need the support. :)

Hi! My name is Kat. I joined PTO because my bf Jason in El Reno FCI and I was just looking for someone out there who was in my situation too. Seems like we ladies have alot in common. I am 29 going on 30 and have battled my weight since childhood. I am 5'4" and now weigh 207. I weighed 216 3 weeks ago. I am on the Weight Watcher plan. I LOVE it. It's the only thing I've found that I don't have to starve to be on. Best of luck to all of you ladies.....see ya on the PTO.

I'm so glad to find this forum! I'm a 39-year old mom of 2 daughters that has been overweight all of my life. But recently I have been really opening my eyes to how unhealthy I am becoming and not very physically appealing (to myself!) and how it has affected my self-esteem. I weigh 295 lbs and I'm 5'7". I need to lose a lot of weight but for now I'll shoot for 30-40 lbs. I've been seperated from my husband for the last 5 years (who is in jail right now, he'll be in there for a year) but we've never stopped loving each other, it's just that we can't live together. (We fight too much!) But I miss him terribly sometimes and a part of me would be thrilled for him to find a smaller version of me waiting for him at the gates when he gets out :blush: . He's never complained about my weight but he's slim and in shape so I would be embarassed for him to be seen with me at clubs, etc. It's hard to think about the slim, beautiful ladies catching my husband's eye and him coming home to big rolie-polie me. (Well, I'm working on that part of my self-esteem in therapy :( ).
Anyway, I'm slowly finding a little chunk of will power that wants to exercise and wants to stop overeating. I want to dig further, find more strength, more willpower....I'm actually scared to lose weight, it's been a suit of armor for me for so long. But I can see the slim version in me, finally, under the layers of fat. I can see her in there.

Hi. I am glad to find this forum. My name is Taylor and I struggled majorly with eating disorders since I was 12...I am now 37 and for the past 4 years, it seemed I had overcome the whole viscious cycle- and was able to maintain a weight that I was happy with. I'm 5'9" and have weighed 135 for a long time, and if I gained, I would just restrict. Anyway. I quit smoking on August 1st, and low and behold, I have gained about 10 pounds...and I'm out of control, slipping into depression, and see that I still or again have major issues and just wanted to seek support or see if anyone has had similar experiences...I have been delivered from many things by the grace of God, but feel kinda lost at the moment...

Hi and Welcome! I hope that you find some support here.

I have always struggled with my weight since the teenage years. I have never smoked though but I know that to free yourself from any addiction is a struggle. Stay focused on the goals and end results and just take one day at a time and you'll get there.

We are always here for you!

Hi my story isnt as intense as alot of yours I was built in my mind really nice in high school then I got preganant with my first son and packed on 80 + pounds and his father wasnt the best guy in the world and pretty much said lose the weight or me (I lost him) well Ive never been one to have will power because when I was younger I walked everywhere like 5 miles a day so the thought of actually working out the thought is beyond me! anyways my first son passed away and I went down hill really quick and found the joys of cocaine yep I lost all the weight and my looks and my friends and everything else so that ended that then I had my second son a few years later and didnt gain a thing until I met my husband then it was big dinners, bread at every meal and yep every pound came back well he's gone so I guess Ive already lost 220lbs lol! but now its time to make me happy and my bf now loves every inch of me but I dont so it's time and I hope to find some support here and people to kick me in the butt and keep me moving! well there it is! that's my story.:)

Welcome bitterdestiny! You will find lots of support here. We are all fighting the everyday battle to live and eat healthier. Check out the support group thread http://www.prisontalk.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1470579&postcount=77 and touch base with us. We are always there!

We will reach our goals!!!

Hello!

I'm so glad I found this forum. My husband is in federal prison in florida.

Since his arrest in the summer of 2004 I have gained a lot of weight. Right now I am about 165 (I'm 5'1"). I would like to lose this weight before he comes home which is almost a year away, so I have time. So far I have started going to a gym and working out (Curves) which has helped, both physically and mentally. I am going to start the Zone diet because I did some research and I believe this will be the best diet for me. Other diets I have tried are Atkins, Weight Watchers, and counting calories, none of which worked. So, I will let you know how being in the "Zone" works!

Also, I would like to start running in the evenings after work and classes. I might need some motivation to do this, so if there is anyone who can help motivate me I would appreciate it!

The other forums I usually post to are husbands/boyfriends, federal, here to hear you. I love PTO!!

Welcome Indyabrams!!! Sorry for the delay in responding to you. I guess with the holidays, we have all been so busy. Your current weight is my goal weight! My highest weight ever was 327. I am now teetering around 240. I intend to get this last 65 pounds off of my body in 2006!!!

Also check out the support thread here. We try to check in daily and keep each other motivated. http://www.prisontalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=133752&page=30

Keep in touch with us! We can do this!!!

hi i am 5ft 10 also and i have been a size 9 all my life . i got on this birth control shot called depo vera and gained 50 lbs and i am sooo depressed and unhappy with myself.i have always been thin through out my life so this is new to me but this is hard to deal with.I have no motvation and i keep packing on the pounds and cry everday now.no matter how hard i try to control it this is getting to take a toll on me. I just wanted to say thanks for sharing your story somehow it made me feel like i am not alone

Hello and welcome! You are not alone! We are all struggling and fighting this battle everyday. It is our everyday struggle; but we can't give up or give in.

Getting our minds ready to make a change is the first step in chaning our behavior. Your being here says that you have not given up. We all have our good days and our not-so-good days but we have to keep fighting.

We are always here so please check in with us.



hi i am 5ft 10 also and i have been a size 9 all my life . i got on this birth control shot called depo vera and gained 50 lbs and i am sooo depressed and unhappy with myself.i have always been thin through out my life so this is new to me but this is hard to deal with.I have no motvation and i keep packing on the pounds and cry everday now.no matter how hard i try to control it this is getting to take a toll on me. I just wanted to say thanks for sharing your story somehow it made me feel like i am not alone

hi my name is tiffany and i'm trying to lose weight my doc put me on 1200calories diet i think i'm gonna die my high is 307 i have a long ways to go but i know i can do it this is the first time i seen this forum i think it's great i get support but not like i do here so i gain 90lbs with my first son and 70 with my next then lost a few then had another child packed on another 45 lost some gain it back had my last son april he will be one but i gain 60 lbs lost 10 whoop-t-doo then gain another 45 with all the stress so i can't stand looking at myself in the mirror so i'm doing something bout it so this is my year i was just wondering how many of you how much you lost in one year i know every body is diffrent but just curious i also have a question in the end does your skin go back to normal god i hope so well anyways every body who is doing the weight lose you guys are my role modles if you can i can take care and god bless 06 is my year and 07 my baby will be home :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Hi Tiffany and Welcome!!!

In the first year that I seriously tackled my weight, I lost 75 pounds. I exercised doing cardio and weight lifting so my skin shrunk as I shrunk. I still have about 50 pounds to lose. I believe that I will have some loose skin on my legs that I may consider having removed by a plastic surgeon once I have reached my goal. I will try to tone as much that I can on my own first though.

I hope this helps.


hi my name is tiffany and i'm trying to lose weight my doc put me on 1200calories diet i think i'm gonna die my high is 307 i have a long ways to go but i know i can do it this is the first time i seen this forum i think it's great i get support but not like i do here so i gain 90lbs with my first son and 70 with my next then lost a few then had another child packed on another 45 lost some gain it back had my last son april he will be one but i gain 60 lbs lost 10 whoop-t-doo then gain another 45 with all the stress so i can't stand looking at myself in the mirror so i'm doing something bout it so this is my year i was just wondering how many of you how much you lost in one year i know every body is diffrent but just curious i also have a question in the end does your skin go back to normal god i hope so well anyways every body who is doing the weight lose you guys are my role modles if you can i can take care and god bless 06 is my year and 07 my baby will be home :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Hi Everyone,

My name is Tia and I'm fat!!! I'm fat and this has got to go! I've gained about 70 pounds since prison popped into my life. I'm now at a whopping 197 pounds. I DON'T WANT TO MEET 200!!! It took me about 3 years to pack it on. I'm miserable on every level because of it. I feel like I'm lugging around 3 small children!! LOL!

I've read all the posts and we all have an eating disorder of some type. We eat too much or eat too little. We feed our emotions and not our bodies. We throw it up or cram it down, but we all have the exact same goal... WE WANT TO CHANGE!! That's the bond that's going to hold us together as we take our journey to a healthier self!

I went to the Wal-mart and brought an inexpensive, easy to read and operate digital scale for 19 bucks. The lines were so close on my old scale I couldn't hardly read it. The numbers on the new one are big and bold. I can actually see them!

This is pretty much the only special purchase I'm going to spend for this diet. Everything I do will be free. Right now, I don't have the extra buckies to spend for special equipment or joining a gym. If you do though, that's fantastic!

I'm starting to walk 15 minutes a day. That doesn't sound like much but it's harder than I thought!! I just walk away from my house for 7 1/2 minutes, then I turn around and come home. Boom, 15 minutes is done just like that. The hardest thing about it really is getting up and out the door! Yall know what I'm talking about! LOL I'm also starting to drink my dreaded water. Ugh, but these two things alone will help get the ball rolling.

Baby steps. This is overwhelming so it's best to do it in baby steps. I'm breaking my 70 unwanted pounds into 5 pound goals. Baby steps!

I'm joining WaitN in the Stats thread of this forum and posting all my particulars so my PTO family can see my progress. If you want to join us, please feel free! Remember, you're not behind, you're just starting so jump right in whenever you're ready! You can do this!! Oh yes you can. You're stronger than you think.

Remember... drink your water! Nothing tastes as good as thin!

I'm motivated and ready to kick butt!
Tia

Hi Everyone Right Now I Am So Unhappy About My Appearance I Have Gone Up And Down Since I Had My First Baby Now I Have 3 I Am 5 Foot 4 And I Weigh 185 Pounds I Absolutely Hate It I Have Had Self Esteem Problems For A Long Time And Now I Just Feel Horrible I Really Dont Have A Actual Goal I Just Want To Be Happy With Me Any Ideas On Where To Start All Advice Will Be Appreciated Thanks =)

Welcome Tia and FlacosGG!!!

Tia - Sounds like you are off to a great start! Keep it up!:thumbsup:

FlacosGG - Just thinking about making changes is the best place to start. We have to be mindful of our behavior in order to change it. Perhaps you need to start slow. Maybe altering one unhealthy eating habit and incorporating a good healthy habit such as drinking more water or a 10 minute walk during the day. Each day brings us a new opportunity to start over. Just take it one day at time. We didn't gain all of our weight overnight and we won't lose it all ovrnight. Just don't give up!:thumbsup:

Hello I am starting weight support and quit smoking. My to bad habbits. I am looking foward to getting to know all of you and to kick these habits. Thanks for being here.

Sorry for the delayed Welcome! Glad you are here! There are support threads for losing weight and quitting smoking. We are here for you!

Well, I'm only 5'3, and I have always been thin my whole life. But I had a baby in August of last year, and am still carrying around this extra baby weight. I have been really depressed lately because of it, and with my fiancee being gone. I just want it to go away...I guess I'll have to work on that.

I’ve always been a "chunky" girl, but after a disabling injury and medication that is notorious for adding weight I found myself in the ranks of the super obese (it almost sounds like a good thing with the "super" part).
Anyway I am on a diet, but guess you could say I am cheating. I had gastric bypass surgery in February, but still have to keep up with a diet to keep the weight coming off. I started the process of loosing September of last year and so far I’ve take off 74lbs, but it is just a drop in the lard bucket.:o
In and Out french fries are still my biggest weakness. When I pass, and I can smell them in the fryer…it is just cruel I tells ya!:blah:

Welcome! I know how depressing life may be right now but I find that when I exercise I feel better. Even taking a walk everyday makes my mood improve. Concentrate on taking small steps and they will add up to great results! Hang in there! You can do it!

Well, I'm only 5'3, and I have always been thin my whole life. But I had a baby in August of last year, and am still carrying around this extra baby weight. I have been really depressed lately because of it, and with my fiancee being gone. I just want it to go away...I guess I'll have to work on that.

Welcome! 74 pounds is nothing to sneeze at! Try to take it one day at a time. You'll get there! My weakness is ice cream but I have managed to find some lower fat alternatives that taste good; maybe you can find a fry to substitute.


I’ve always been a "chunky" girl, but after a disabling injury and medication that is notorious for adding weight I found myself in the ranks of the super obese (it almost sounds like a good thing with the "super" part).
Anyway I am on a diet, but guess you could say I am cheating. I had gastric bypass surgery in February, but still have to keep up with a diet to keep the weight coming off. I started the process of loosing September of last year and so far I’ve take off 74lbs, but it is just a drop in the lard bucket.:o
In and Out french fries are still my biggest weakness. When I pass, and I can smell them in the fryer…it is just cruel I tells ya!:blah:

I an 5'3" tall and weigh almost 40 pounds more than a short person should weigh. I have gained about 20 pounds since my son went to FMC in Lexington 1 yr. 4 months ago. I have never been so heartbroken. I took antidepressants for a time, but feared that they were what was putting the weight on me. I was wrong. After getting off them, I am still gaining. I have to stop this train from running over me. I think this forum will help. I am beginning tomorrow. I read somewhere that if one wants to weigh 135 pounds, as I do, you should multiply that desired weight by 10 (12 for a man). That means I can eat 1,350 calories a day. I am going to try that method by using the WW point system. I will need your help. I am not a very good dieter and as you all know, all of us have insurmountable stress in our lives because of a loved one's imprisonment. I hope this helps or I will have to buy all new clothes. I am popping at the seams in everything I put on. I will report on how I do tomorrow. I will read all of your posts, too, and see if I can help someone myself.

Welcome!

I an 5'3" tall and weigh almost 40 pounds more than a short person should weigh. I have gained about 20 pounds since my son went to FMC in Lexington 1 yr. 4 months ago. I have never been so heartbroken. I took antidepressants for a time, but feared that they were what was putting the weight on me. I was wrong. After getting off them, I am still gaining. I have to stop this train from running over me. I think this forum will help. I am beginning tomorrow. I read somewhere that if one wants to weigh 135 pounds, as I do, you should multiply that desired weight by 10 (12 for a man). That means I can eat 1,350 calories a day. I am going to try that method by using the WW point system. I will need your help. I am not a very good dieter and as you all know, all of us have insurmountable stress in our lives because of a loved one's imprisonment. I hope this helps or I will have to buy all new clothes. I am popping at the seams in everything I put on. I will report on how I do tomorrow. I will read all of your posts, too, and see if I can help someone myself.

Hello to everyone,my name is Rhonda.Im a parole out of S.B,Ca. and also have my fiance in R.J.Donovan.We have 9 children together and today makes 14y. together.He was deported in 01 after doing his time because they say he is a violant offender:blah:Needless to say he was right back within 7 days from getting to ElSalvador.Last month he got busted.They are giving him 10m for the violation(coming back) and are gonna try to deport him again.He's been in L.A. all his life! All his family is here, what can I do? We are trying to find a way to get married, but with me being a parole I cant get any cooperation. Any suggestions?????????????:rolleyes:

Hi, I'm new. I'm from California, my son is in the fire camp at Konocti, release date 11/12/06. It's been a LONG, hard haul!:rolleyes:

HELLO and welcome to PTO CA Forum, we hope we can assist you in any way you my need.

Terri

;) Ok well here it goes. I have been with my husband for 16 years. We have two daughters and have been in and out of the prison system for many years. The first time he did a 9 month term in fire camp, the next time was a 7 (served 5)year term and the third time was a 10 (serve 8)year term. Before that he was in and out of jail so many times I caould not count the number of times he was arrested. Now here we go again he got a 6 year term with 80% and 594 days credit. So he will do a 3 years and some change. I live in Pomona and right now he is in Lancaster. He just go sent there and is hoping to go to San Diego. I have read the info on PTO many times but never joined. So Hello to everyone. :thumbsup:
rox

Hi and welcome to PTO, know that here you are NEVER alone as we are here for you 24/7 - 365 ...

Granted we aren't close enough to hold you when the tears come falling down but we are here to support you, listen to your fears, cheers, stories and anything else you want to give us.

WE ARE FAMILY, FRIENDS here at PTO and you just joined the biggest family on the net!! Welcome!

Hi, my name is Barbara and my son is incarcerated at Mule Creek State Prison in California. He is coming up for parole and his county of parole is not his last residence and I don't know how to get that changed. Any help would be very much appreciated.:confused:

OK so here is my weight story. I was skinny all thru high school. Im only 4'11" so until i hit 22 i was only 98 pounds, i couldnt get over that 100 mark no matter how hard i tried and part of it was a big chest. I was a 36 then.
Then i got a good paying job and my fridge got the bonus of it. I gained and gained. When i got pregnant in 2002, i weighed 165. I got gestional diabetes, luckily or i would have PACKED IT ON..they put me on a strict 1200 calorie diet and u can imagine when ur pregnant and have the smallest amount of food on ur plate ur ready to die! well, i made it all the way to 9 months without really cheating..maybe 3 times I splurged on a DIET ROOTBEER FLOAT and some chili cheese fries. I was 165 (STILL) when i had my son, my whole body just got skinny and I was allllll baby! i was 135 when i left the hospital and my chest was now 44DD so technically im sure i weighed less than that!!! HA HA
now my son is 3 and im back to 157. I got some diet pills from my sister (phentermine 37.5mg) and i only take 1/2 so i wont act like a tweeker. its been about 3 months and as of today I am 142. I dont change my eating habits and i drink nothing but water or diet soda. I lost 5 in the first few days. im going for 135, i want to have another baby but i figure maybe if i lose the weight first, i wont be diabetic again.......3 insulin shots a day and 4 finger pokes with a man who is scared of needles.....just try to give urself a shot on ur side when u are 9 months pregnant...im lucky I could SEE my side! but im hopeful. Im lazy so exercise is out of the question. chasing my son is about all i do. but there is hope for us all. and remember ladies, we have MORE BOUNCE TO THE OUNCE!

My (user)name is lija, I am 26, NYer been living in Cali for last 10... My man got locked up a couple months back. Still not sure where exactly, looking like it might be Lancaster. Its his second bid, first strike, first bid was before I met him (but being I grew up around, um, individuals likely to do time, didn't matter). Caught something like 28mo, should have 3 down. Mostly just trying to figure this (insert bad word if you like) system now that I got somebody in there I care enough about. Any help appreciated, especially now that his mother feels compelled to try all of a sudden to make me look bad. ??!!?? Is this common? She loved me til he didn't come home one night and wow. Now it's my fault and I wasn't even there!!

Sorry for the rant. It's just frustrating, being I don't have much support out here.

Hello to all the members of PTO...you guys are wonderful, so friendly and eager to help with information...my husband is in CSP Solano in Vacaville CA. He will be home in June 2007. We miss him so very much. Just wanted to say Thank you to all the ladies out there and God Bless...

This website is so helpful to me , I have found out more information here then from anywhere. Well here goes. Hi my name is brenda , My ex-husband ( not legally divorced) has been in and out of the California Prison system since 2000. Being released on parole and violating . This time Mike has been at Wasco Prison, Wasco Ca since Febuary 2006. He was due out August 13, 2006 but we got news that instead of being released hes going to Avenal California. Mike and I have 6 children ( 2 of the six he raised as his own) they are five boys and one girl. 19,17,15,14,10 are the boys and my daughter is 12. The oldest boys have really grown apart from their dad because of his incarcaration. We seperated after he went back the 2nd time. I have found someone else , and Mike understood why i couldnt wait anymore.
I also have someone in a Oregon Prison , My 17 year old son his biological father is in Pendleton Oregon Prison. Where he has spent the last 8 years his release date is next October 2007. We went to visit Pat in July 2006 it was the first time Clayton(17 yr old) had seen his dad since he was 3 monthes old the visit went great. Well anyways nice meeting everyone and good luck with your loved ones Brenda Corey

I am in Ky looking for old info on sister who was inmate in a calif.prison around 20 years ago,reason for needing info,trying to run down sisters daughter who was adopted while sister was in prison,sister has passed away so cannot provide any info,important medicial info needs to be related to daughter,also would like to see if she wants to know about birth Mothers family.would be thankful for any help.Do not know what prison or exact dates.

hey i arlene im 25yrs old and my only brother was arrested on june 13,06, my bro's name is pablo, he's 22yrs old he was sentenced to 1 yr at descanso detention facility he was convicted of residential burglary , this is my bro;s first time in jail . i am having a real difficult time dealing with himbeing gone i feel so guilty, u see we had a very rough past my mom is a drug addict and she left us when i was 16yr i have 4 sister and my bro i raisedthem on my own since then and i swear i tried my best but i feel like such a failure

This thread will be for everyone to introduce themselves....post a little, or a lot! It's a sticky, so it will always be right at the top of the Forum.

Looking forward to meeting you!
hey whats up its me crazy bubbles.
i need so help here i dont know how to be able to write a inmate?:confused:

hey whats up its me crazy bubbles.
i need so help here i dont know how to be able to write a inmate?:confused:


Hi Crazy Bubbles. First of all, which prison do you plan on writing to?

Hi Crazy Bubbles. First of all, which prison do you plan on writing to?
WELL IM NOT SURE YET?
BECAUSE I DONT KNOW HOW TO EVEN SEE THERE PROFILE?
CAN YOU HELP ME PLEASE?:)

WELL IM NOT SURE YET?
BECAUSE I DONT KNOW HOW TO EVEN SEE THERE PROFILE?
CAN YOU HELP ME PLEASE?:)

Ok, I'm going to go ahead and assume that you are looking for a pen-pal. There are a variety of pen-pal ads posted on PTO. They are listed in order from states A-Z.

Here is a link to Pen-Pal Talk - http://www.prisontalk.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=297

Here is a link to just one of the many Pen-Pal Ad Forums - http://www.prisontalk.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=399

:new: HI all, and thanks for the wonderful welcome letter. I am very new to forums and have already made my first blunder (posting a response b4 completely reading the entire thread) :o trust me there are many more where that came from. anyhoo...

I am married (22 years) have 4 children (3 daughters: 26, 14, 12, 1 son, 31), and 3 grandkiddies (8, 6, 2 yikes:eek: ). I am here because my brother is doing time at CCC-Susanville. He is halfway through a 6 year term. I received a letter from him to let me know he has been told he has liver disease (drug use), as well as a bulging disk in his spine. He is in pretty bad shape and we are praying for him, but it really helps to have this place where so many of you have the same questions & concerns I have. It gives tangible evidence that our family is not alone :grouphug:

Be Blessed!
Nokwesi

Hi all! I'm :new: to PTO, have a loved one :love: at ISP and look forward to meeting you! :)
I have to admit that I'm a little confused though: is this thread for introductions or about sharing Eating Disorder stories? :confused:
Anyway - I hope that somebody will tell me where to post what - thanks! ;)
Blessings to all of you!
:grouphug:, united

Hi my name is Pam (Robert's Girl), I am really glad I found and remembered this forum. I'd hoped I'd never have to utilize your support services, but here I am. Thank God for you guys. My husband, Robert, was just sentenced to 2 years in a CA state prison. I've had to relocate to Idaho with my daughter, because I just can't afford CA living. He knows where we are, but I'm not sure whether he'll be able to parole here. Thank you guys for being here for me and all the others that need support.

Sincerely,
ca_inmate_lvr
a.k.a.
Robert's Girl

I am new to here I have a son in prison
unhappymom2

Hello Everyone Well Im Sort Of New Here. Thats Because I Registered A Long Time Ago And Never Really Checked It Out Untill My Babys Dad Got Busted . Hes In Centinela And Is To Serve 8years Of An 11 Year Term So Ill Be Here For A Long Time.lookin Forward To Meeting All Of Guys......

Hello everyone i'm sort of new to all this. I like to read everyones advice/ comments about their experiences. My man is at Soledad Satae Prison. He dosen't get out until Dec of 2007. I just wanted to know how the visits work. This will be my first time visit. Do you have to make appt for contact visits? Hoping to hear from someone soon......

Remanding 11/03...FPC Lompoc. Just want to introduce myself and get some information about the Federal Prison system as the BOP website is no help at all. A Commissay list would be great!

Hello everyone,

I'm from Sacramento, CA and my man is currently in Tracy (DVI). He went in on September 18, 2006 and was transferred to Tracy October 16th. He's expected to transfer to Folsom Ranch this week. I can't wait because that means we're on our way to visits, phone calls, marriage, and family visits. His release date is June 6, 2009 and I'm riding the ENTIRE thing out with him just like most of you.

Thank you for allowing me to introduce myself and I look forward to getting to know you over the next couple of years.

:o :o Hey Everybody

I am so glad that I found prison talk I have been through this a few times but this one is the hardest My husband has to do 4 yrs and 10 months This is nice to be able to chat with others that are going through the same issues I am. I just moved from LA:( now I am living in San Jacinto with my mother n law I miss him so. He is serving is time In Iron Wood State Prison only a couple hours away from me. Now I am just waiting to be cleared to go visit they wanted a letter from my probation officer seeing if I was in compliance of my probation. So not to much longer til I can go visit him.:o
Sincerely
EMiller:cool:

I've been posting for a few days already, but I can't remember if I ever introduce myself. My guy is awaiting trial, on Federal charges. He was arrested for posession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He is facing 15-to life. I have really gotten a lot of help from this site and I thank you. So many days I feel like:angry: . Talking helps.

High everyone my name is ismael, I am here because I have 2 brothers and 2 cousins in the system. 3 of them have life and one should be getting out soon. I have 2 in susanville, 1 in Pelican Bay, and 1 in Jamestown. This summer I will be going on tour to visit everyone so I am trying to learn all I can about the visiting process. Thank you for all of your help and I hope to become friends with all of you. GOD Bless. Big IZ

hay all, im new to prison talk. i love this site, soooo much good info. im am a 26 year old mother of one from so cal. my husband was sentenced to 2 yrs 8 months after fighting a 3 strike case for over a year. it was the toughest time of my life. i thought i was loseing him forever. thankfully we had a great lawyer that we found through research. i love all the support here after all not alot feel what we go through. and there arent many resources, when you call the prison its hard to even get through to a live person. all we can do is make daddy as comfy as possible with love and support untill he comes home. I LOVE YOU DADDY!!!

Hi there! There is a forum set up that is dedicated to Soledad (technically called Correctional Training Facility, or CTF) and Salinas Valley--both prisons are on the same property. Here is a link to that forum, where you will find lots of information on visiting and everything else:

http://prisontalk.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=647

Hello everyone i'm sort of new to all this. I like to read everyones advice/ comments about their experiences. My man is at Soledad Satae Prison. He dosen't get out until Dec of 2007. I just wanted to know how the visits work. This will be my first time visit. Do you have to make appt for contact visits? Hoping to hear from someone soon......

wassup everybody
my name is jahmela, and i am young and in love with my baby. last month, i damn near went insane from missing him so much, but now that i found this site, i know that i'm not alone. this site is a great resource tool, and i would recommened it to anyone dealing with the prison system. my baby got sentenced to 3 years in june, got credit for time served witch cut it down to 2 years and some change, and then got 50% off of that for good behavior...whew!! for the time being i'm just goin ta school, stackin, and preparing myself and him, for his release mid next year. so thank you to the staff members for putting together this website and to the many members who participate in keeping this website going. mAnY BlEsSiNgS To EvErYoNe!

I've finally found a place to get into contact with other former offenders and get information concerning our plight! I just got out 2 and half months ago after serving a 5 year sentence in TDCJ (texas). I'm new to Cali and I don't really now how things work out here. I'm really struggling to find a career that I can get into without my record being held against me. Also, I don't have any friends out here:( , especially friends who've been where I have been. Also, I left my girlfriend in TDCJ. She might have to do a few more years and I need to know how to help her in any way I can. If anyone has any suggestions or knows where I can look to find careers that are available to former offenders PLEASE let me know. I start school in January and I'm having a hard time choosing a major that I can actually use. Also, if anyone has any questions or problems with TDCJ, especially the female farms, I know my way around there pretty well.

Hello everyone. Please forgive me if I am not posting correctly. I am right next door to computer illiterate, but I'm trying. I hope that I am posting to the group in California. If not, maybe someone could help me find my way. I also am not sure how to start or send a new message - so any help I can get would be greatly appreciated. Enough of this - I guess I should introduce myself.

My name is Karen and I live in Missouri. In July of this year I began corresponding with an inmate housed in the SHU of Pelican Bay State Prison. I am certainly a "newbie" when it comes to understanding prison politics, rules, etc. When I joined this group last night (11/16/06), I did so because I had not received a letter from my friend in over a week(which is very unlike him), and I was concerned that prison officials were tampering with or delaying mail on purpose. I thought this group might have information about any current problems happening at PB. My worries, however, might have been a little premature. Today, I received a letter (post marked 11/8/06), so the mail might just be a bit slow.

Thanks for letting me join your group. It will undoubtedly take me hours, days or weeks to figure out how this system works, so please be patient with me. It is nice to know that there is a support group like this in place for friends/family/loved ones of those who are incarcerated that we care so much about. Peace to all of you.

Karen

Hi everyone, my name is Alicia. I live in San Luis Obispo, CA. My Boyfriend just took a deal for 6 years in prison here. He doesn't actually get sentenced til Dec 1, so that means he's here in county for the time being, but I'm just trying to get a start on all this. We've been together for almost 2 years. I know he'll be there for almost 4 years since he has to do 80%, which is going to be the hardest 4 years for both of us. So far you guys have been so much help in so many ways. I've already been able to five him a heads up about visiting, mail, packages and phone calls so he's a little bit ahead. We're just not sure what level he'll be or where he's going to end up when he mainlines. I'm glad I was able to find prison talk so that I won't feel so alone about all of this and maybe find someone who's man is in there with mine and carpool or something.

He's already nervous that I'm gonna leave him while he's in, but I'm not going anywhere!!!! If anyone has any suggestions on how to make him feel better about that let me know. We've had our share of issues already, but we've always come out ahead, together and much stronger! thanks to everyone ahead of time...

I'm Yvonne, better known as nae. I'm am Very new to this, but decided it was a pretty good site after looking over it. I'm actually very shy and very curious. I'm going to school to become a court reporter because of my infatuation with the courts and criminal justice system due to my fiance's conviction. umm. thats pretty much it

Hello Everyone! I'm Jackie and I live in Las Vegas my soon to be husband Tony was just transfered to CIM chino from the county jail for a parole violation last I heard he is going to be doing 8 months. I have decided to wait for him. Last year this time he did 10 months and i choose not to wait which was a mistake anyway we are back together and I know I want to wait for him and be with him. I will be visiting him as much as I can this time. I'm sure I will have plenty of questions in the coming weeks for now I just have one. Does anyone know how it will be till he can contact me and how soon can i visit? I mean two questions. Thanks

Last time I visited PTO was August 2004, Marvin came home September 2004. He was doing very well, his parole officer recommended him to be discharged from parole after 1 year. Then he got arrested last month for possession. Since he is a 2nd striker, judge detained him with a bail of $500,000.00. He is in Men's Central Jail in L.A. and will go to court on 11/29. We're praying that he will not do a lot of time. It's always nice to know that you can always come back and get support from PTO. Thank you for always being here for us. :)

I am not sure that this will even reach out to anyone as I have no idea what I am doing. I found pto surfing the web for information. I have not posted anything so I hope this works. My name is tracy and my brother is still incarcerated in Shasta County Jail waiting for transport to Susanville for 2 years. I am ignorant to the rules and regulations like what you can send, what you can't send. The difference between a family visit and a regular visit. How much money they need and what they can buy. Just the same old things that we all asked i suppose at one time or another. I heard that the prison takes 1/2 of any money you send. Is that true? I don't know if he is going to stay in high desert or not. I don't even know how to find out. I will keep reading all I can read on this site and by the time he is out, perhaps I can help someone else. Thank you very much Tracy

:wave: Hi, my name is Michelle AKA: Lil Fraz by my baby:heart: I am in Sacramento Calif. My Fiancee and I were forceably seperated in 2004 when he was remanded back to custody, the same morning we were on our way to Mexico to be married. We may be seperated in body until 2010, but never to be seperated in sprit. He is at California Rehabilitation Center in Norco Cali. I travel the 950 mile round trip to see him about every 3 months. Our plan is to be married in March 2007. A day I feel can't get here fast enough! I am new to this site and very happy it is here. I am also looking forward to getting to know ya"all. Thank You for being here.

Hi, I just discovered these forums and look forward to learning much. Through the compassionate correspondance program at my liberal church, I have just begun writing letters to a woman on California's Death Row at Chowchilla. I hope to be a friend to her and help her as I can.

Hello,
Im a newbie to the forums. I have a dear friend in Corcoran 2. Im learning alot and I'm please there are websites like these.

Hey All

i have been around few a minute now andnot too sure if I have officiallyb introduced myself. My loved one is housed in the C yard of CSATF (Corcoran2), he is not scheduled for release until 2014, it is a long road until we can make it to our destination, but there is something so special, I can't help but wait for him:thumbsup:

i was a nurse for cdc in central ca. for 10 years; the last 2 spent as director of nursing. i tried hard to buck the system and advocate for my patients. i saw horrible abuse and sadistic neglect that led to me having a nervous breakdown. i suffer from panic attacks and severe ptsd from what i witnessed. i am currentl in a treatment center for my illnesses. it has completely ruined my life. i have been living in treament centers for 4months now, and my doctors estimate at least another month or 2. the department completely abandoned me when i left- i received phone calls from officers and medical staff threatening my family& i. i would like to hear from inmates & family members and be able to offer insight or information. i would also like to volunteer to assist any advocacy groups to hel effect change- i witnessed first hand what goes on, and have lost my ability to live a normal life as a result. would love to hear from anyone & offer help where i can. god bless. regards, mary:angry: :confused: :eek:

MY NAME IS GLORIA AND MY SOON TO BE HUBBY HAS 20 MORE MONTHS HE IS CURRENTLY IN DVI WE HAVE BEEN IN EACH OTHERS LIVE FOR ABOUT 11 YEARS I LOVE HIM WITH ALL MY HEART IN JAN 07 OUR SON WILL BE BORN AND THE END OF 08 HIS DADDY WILL BE HOME.:thumbsup:

Hi, I'm Missa.

I live in SoCal and my daughter's father is currently incarcerated in Menard State Prison (Illinois) for the next 38 years. I am not really new to the boards as I was a lurker for quite awhile but, just started posting a few days ago. I look forward to getting to know others!

Hi all. I am new to this and hope I'm doing it right. Oh well....

We (my family) have a very close family friend(practically a member of our own) who is incarcerated at Lancaster State Prison in CA.

I am looking to find out any recent info on the prison itself and how to navigate the system. It has been a very long time since I have dealt with a jail or prison and I want to know enough to be able to be a help to our friend from the outside.
I think it's wonderful to have a site like this. Having a support net and people who can understand where you are coming from is so important. So, thank you to those of you who launched this and may God be with each and every one and give strength to make it through.

Hi ! I just wanted to thank all of you who run and post here on this site. My best friend from high school (we have been friends for over 28 years) has just been sent to prison at Avenal in CA. It is all so overwhelming for everyone concerned. I have so many questions, and I have found many answers here so far. I just wanted to express my thanks. I look forward gaining knowledge here to help him and help me learn about the system and how it works (or does not work from what I have read in some of the posts :().

~Lisamara :)

Hello everyone,

I am from Central California and my girl is at V.S.P.W. in Chowchilla. She's served 3 years with 2 more to go. I've recently been learning the ropes of visiting. I think I've got it down now!

I appreciate all the information, advice, and kind words that I have recieved since I joined.

thanks

Hi everyone, I'm from Southern California. My fiancee has been in NKSP since 11-16-06. I miss him sooooo much. He's in CE 91, anyone have a guy there?

Hi ladies...Im from So. Cali, living in Riverside County. My husband is in Solano State Prison in Vacaville CA. He will be home in June 2007.:p

Member Name: Silent619
Since : Jan.11, 2007





S FONT<U/>] LUCADIA HANDWRITING FONT[QUOTE][/QUoOTE]HAVE THINGS REALLY CHANGED THAT MUCH IN THE PAST FEW YEARS? </U>BURGUNDY FONT - OR AM I JUST STUCK ON STUPID?burgundy font>

From carepackages to phone calls per month! its a trip! I remember having to call n practically beg them to <B/><Italic/>restrict</Italic> collect calls, When I put 50 bux on his books n they actually got the whole 50 bux, not 22 n some change! :idea:Anyone going up there this Saturday for a visit? Want a co-pilot...maybe just some company?? I was planned a to drive up there for saturday but my cars outta commission till I get it fixed. Soooo, (lol) if anyone going from S.D. area interested...
:D

I guess this is a re-introduction. I had joined a few years ago but this intro thread wasn't here at the time. I haven't been on the site in about 2 years but my husband has just gone back into the system. He is still in county waiting trial. Anyway, I'm from Southern CA with a husband at OC Main and i'm not sure where's he's going to end up this time.

Hiya guys, this is my introduction I suppose..Im Megan and Im obviously new to this lol. Anywho nice to meet u all...

Hiya, this is m'intro

Hi everyone I am in southern CALI as well Los angeles county (SGV) my boyfriend is up North right now in r/c at dvi but most likely going back to Sac, New Folsom. TOO far to visit!

Hello...I am also new to the Forumn. Just started visiting a friend in the PBSP SHU. Ever since my last visit all I want to do is bring as much happiness to his life as possible. He is not only in the SHU but in a plexi-glass cell because he has not been able to behave himself. He takes full responsibility for his actions which I admire. He is 43 and has NEVER been outside of a jail or prison since the age of 16. PEOPLE DO CHANGE AND GROW, especially when we get older!! I hope to meet some people in this forum who not only understand this but want to enrich the lives of those inside. Life does not need to end behind bars, we need to support these men in a way that they have yet to experience..unconditional and accepting, not of their past actions, but of who they are today, and what they want to do about living life in the future.

Hi all,

Well I've been lurking around for a little while:p and I figured since I find so much info and so many friendly people on here I should join the crowd:cool:
Here is a little about me: My name is Jennifer and my fiance is at SVSP, this is his 4th transfer since '03 so we've kinda been up and down the state. We have a 3 year old daughter together and her & I just recently moved to Oregon. Now we are really missing him:(
We have a little over 2 years to go, then hopefully, if all goes as planned, he will parole here to Oregon.
I plan on visiting him a few times a year, so it would be great to get to know some of you who visit there!

Im new to this but ready to stand by my man...currently in soledad, will be posting a carpool add in that thread soon, so anyone from the Frisco, Bay Area loooking to carpool hit me up!!

We've been writing a friend of ours, and amid all the gloom and doom of his sentencing we dug up this site. Maybe this e-mail like atmosphere will lift:cool: some of the sad faces I must deal with, it rubs off, and we hope that everyone who reads this has a silver lining somewhere. Our best to you all. I must gather up the troops and we are all rung out from the day. I will go check the snail mail, watch the redhead smoke, and be happy that we got this far. More later ta RS

Hi,
My name's Beth and I'm a single mom of 3. My boyfriend is at Wasco. I love this chat website. I finally don't feel so disconnected. I look forward every night to going on here and finding out information for my honey. He has asked me to check into something about Arnold Schwartzenegger and cutting prison time. He's asked me twice now. Has anyone heard about that? Also he was moved to the Gym building. I don't know what that means - is he still in receiving or whatever they call it?

Thanks again for all your information.

hi everyone, i live in the san gabriel valley, and have been a member since2002 have friend incarcerated in michigan, but of all the crazyn things just heard from a friend down in imperial, who i've known awhile. anyway, figured it was time to say hi to my california neighbors! nice to meet you all. great info here!

This thread will be for everyone to introduce themselves....post a little, or a lot! It's a sticky, so it will always be right at the top of the Forum.

Looking forward to meeting you!

My son is at Tehachapi State Prison. Arrived yesterday, 2/18/07 in reception. He's doing 2 years with half. I have 100 questions! Any help you can give me regarding winding through the system to reach him, I need all the pointers of how to do it. Also, what about my letters to him, how to put $ on his books, when I can send him books to read, how long reception is at this point; I hear it varies. What happens in reception, how do they get help if they need it in there, what other inmates experience on the yard, what inmates' reactions are to being cooped up 23 hours a day. Obviously, I'm new at this. Any help will be so appreciated. Thanks! Peacefulwarrior :confused:

This thread will be for everyone to introduce themselves....post a little, or a lot! It's a sticky, so it will always be right at the top of the Forum.

Looking forward to meeting you!my name is april.Im a single mom of 3 kids 11,9,and 6.My husband is in corcoran state prison.He has about 6 months left. Ive been feeling alittle alone.Glad to meet people doing the same thing being mom and dad.Need friends

I"m kinda sorta new... been viewing for along time, decided I better join as I'm about to have questions of my own. I have a very good friend in Pelican Bay..He was moved to the SHU a few months back and seems to have really built up a wall around himself. He's doing Life and I don't know why he got put in SHU and I won't dare ask, but I know he was in ASU for a while about a year ago and then moved back to the gym. I have no Idea what to possibly say or do for him but he seems to have just totally given up on everything.

I'm pretty familiar with the system since my cousin is doing life and has been in for 10 years now. He is in ISP, but my man is now also doing time and he is in NKSP. He is currently in B block reception. He was sentenced to 16 months and did 2 already in county. now it's just counting down the rest.

Hello Everyone,
I so appreciate that this site is here. It feels like such a lonely situation to be in and I think it will help to connect with people here. My brother who is Bi-Polar and had been estranged from my family almost 20 years had a psychotic break and killed his best friend. The year before this happened he had been writing me letters and now I am one of only a few people in his life on the outside that care about what is going to happen to him. It has been extremely difficult for him to access the mental health care that he needs. The LA County Jail seems downright abusive. They actually took him completely off of his meds for over three weeks. He was hullicinating and he still suicidal and obviously has the potential to be homocidal. No one there really seems to care.... He is now finally on medication but not at the level he was at before he was arrested. He has a heart condition and was scheduled to have surgery before this happened. Now he's refusing because he just wants to die. The whole thing has been very stressful for me and some others in our family as well. But mostly for me it seems... I'm the "too sensitive" one in the family. It's a crazy family we are from... and I really don't want to be involved with them and at the same time hope to be supportive to my brother. Thanks for listening.

Hello.. unfortunately I am having to post again about My Husband going back. Parole Violations.... I dont know how long he will get hes only been in for about a week now. Thanks everyone for your love and support, I am trying to stay strong no matter what we face.:)

Hi. My name is Teresa, and you people are the best. You are just so understanding, compassionate. I have a penpal in Solano. I met him sort of by accident. I have only written to him once. But. What strikes me is how much he is on my mind. I talk to his family online. I guess the bottom line is care for each other. Do what you can to help out. Bless you all, and your loved ones. Peace. Teresa

Hello to all the ladies and gents. My name is Tara AKA JEREMYSBABYGIRL, or Jeremys stupid kid as he so lovingly calls me. :D . I am 28 years old and a working mother of 4 kids. Jeremy and I met a year ago. He is an amazing man with a sorted past the he just can't seem to escape. He just went back to Chino a few weeks ago and is waiting to be moved to god only knows where. This is the second time he has gone in since I have known him, for parole violations. His 7th or 8th term, I can't remember which. I stumbled upon this forum, purely by accident and fell in love with it. Everyone here seems to be so nice and helpful to one another, which I just loved. I look forward to getting acquainted with all of you.:thumbsup: Any one can feel free to email me at any time at personal email removed per pto guidelines. I would love to chat with people in the same situation as me. No one I know can relate to the feelings and thoughts going through my head at this time, as they haven't ever loved someone locked up.

Thanks for being here,

Tara/ JEREMYSBABYGIRL.
:grouphug:

Hello to everyone here on the boards. Just joined yesterday, my name is KimbraLee aka 'Wisewoman'. Until last year, I never knew much about prison and had never even known someone who'd been in. In the spring, I decided to have a pool put in my backyard and hired a well-known pool builder to do the job. As it turns out, my pool project manager had been in prison in the past, gotten out and was doing a great job of making a life for himself and his girlfriend and son. I had a lot of admiration for that, and we became friends. He spent a lot of time in my yard because he said that he absolutely loved the way me and my family (I am a single mom of 5 kids) accepted him and never judged him or treated him with any disrespect, even knowing his past. As we got to be closer friends and the pool project neared the end, he knew that I was going to need a lot of landscaping, sprinklers, etc. done and asked me if I would be willing to give some of his friends the work so that they could also make an 'honest' living as they got out of prison. I told him of course, and that as long as they gave me a day's labor, I'd give them a day's pay. Over the next 4 months, I met and became friends with five more ex-convicts - shared my house with them (during the days, of course), cooked for them, worked on re-building their belief in themselves, helped them get to their court dates, etc. They all became close with my family - and in a very appropriate way, my kids and I all got an education on what prison is really like and learned about our real criminal justice system. The guys always had nothing but respect for us, took responsibility for their choices, were honest with us - and I always treated them as though they could be trusted ... so, guess what? They were always trustworthy around my home and my famliy. :thumbsup:

One of the guys who worked for me and I got to be better friends than the others. He was a little different than the rest of the 'pack'! I met his entire family and threw him a huge birthday party (still says it was the best day of his life!) in my new backyard. Then, at the end of the summer, in September of last year, he let the wrong guy borrow his car. This other man ended up assaulting a lady and stealing her purse and then coming back to where Chris was staying. He got followed by the cops and they arrested both of them for the crime. I worked closely with the investigator on the case. We finally got the other guy to plead guilty to his crime and he was given community service (first offense in California) - Did they drop the charges on Chris? No. Chris was offered a deal (for the same exact crime) of 9 years!!!!!!!!!! He continued to maintain his innocence - we fought with the DA long enough to get the deal down to 2 years and a strike with 85% - and he finally signed in February (facing 16 yrs. if he had been found guilty at trial). During the entire time he was in county jail I visited him twice a week - my older girls went too - we wrote letters - became the best of friends and finally realized in January that we were in Love! He's now in receiving in NKSP - haven't seen or talked to him in about 6 weeks - miss him like crazy. When he comes home, he is moving in with me and we will eventually take his 3 boys ages 6, 5 and 4 back from his Mom, and between us, with 8 kids in all - we will be a family.

I'm a believer that everything happens for a reason. I never asked for this journey - but I have asked many times for a wonderful, sharp, loyal man who I could be best friends with first and partners with forever - Chris is the one! So if this is the price we had to pay - look at the gifts!!! Wow, I am one blessed girl and I wouldn't trade him for the world!!!:p

Thanks in advance for the friendship, warmth, information and support I know I will find here. You are an amazing group of people - I nosed around this site for months before finally deciding to join and it makes my heart warm to watch people be held in compassion and lifted up by others on this site. I can only hope I get a chance to do the same for someone while I'm here...

So honored to be part of this family!

Kim

Hello My name is Shawn. I was raised in Mexico. When I came to the USA I have been called by my first name but I prefer Shawn. I came here because my husband who I married 10 years ago, is a Disabled American Veteran and was suffering severe Post traumatic Stress disorder and was undergoing treatment when a crime he was accused of popped up 11 years later which he had no knowledge of and was arrested. I have been stuck in America. Having to leave my family and working to get my husband home.Because of my husbands illness he is an EOP which I am trying to understand how the prison system works and was sent to Mule Creek. I am not going to go into detail what took place. I have repeated it so many times to so many attorney who say they listen, take my money and then I wait with false promises and no return phone calls. They have the money so now they have no time and keep postponing working on his case. Any ways I promise to tell my story when I am more rested.

I hope to find help , knowledge and a support system to fill my days and help me through this.

This site is new to me and kinda confusing, but I think I will get the hang of it. Not quite sure where to post thread about help with a ride to baseline cc in jamestown ca. I haven't seen my man in a month and a half and I have no car. I would be willing to help with gas if there is anyone in the general surrounding area of stockton who could help.




Thank you Tammara

My name is Tammara and I'm also new to this sight. My friend just got out of Pelican Bay and (the shu). Just let your friend know that you are here for him and you will always be. Just keep writing him.I"m kinda sorta new... been viewing for along time, decided I better join as I'm about to have questions of my own. I have a very good friend in Pelican Bay..He was moved to the SHU a few months back and seems to have really built up a wall around himself. He's doing Life and I don't know why he got put in SHU and I won't dare ask, but I know he was in ASU for a while about a year ago and then moved back to the gym. I have no Idea what to possibly say or do for him but he seems to have just totally given up on everything.

Hello ladies,

My name is Tania and my Man is currently incarcerated in Calipatria Sate Prison in California he has been there for the last 5 yrs and will soon be home in less than 1 yr.