Just wanted to say "hello" to everyone out there and introduce myself. Here's my story:
I actually was 300+ pounds from age 19-25 and then lost 140 pounds with a lot of sweat and good decision making. I kept that weight off for over 7 years. I got married 2 years ago and my husband and I got pregnant immediately. Sadly, we lost our baby halfway through my pregnancy due to a rare chromosomal disorder. At the same time we were in the midst of purchasing a fixer-upper home which I turned out to not enjoy. So, I lost my baby and moved to the country (formerly a city girl) into a chaotic and neglected home all in the same month. Instead of slowing down and getting myself acclamated, I was determined to get pregnant again and we did just that....and all went well except my son was born prematurely...he is 100% fine thank God...but that was another stress. Somewhere in the middle of all this, we decided to become foster parents and we have an 11 and 12 year old (brother and sister) living with us as well. They are wonderful kids and my son is gorgeus... I am still not feeling the house but it is my husband's heart....and I am weighing 244 pounds!!!!! What????? How did this happen to me???? I am sooooo relying on food to comfort my stress. I do anything to be alone and eat. Sick and embarassing...yes, I know, but I am determined to come clean once and for all...I need help...this is the last day I want to live this way. I thought I conquered this food addiction a long time ago. I became so confident and proud of myself. Now I want to vomit when I look in the mirror. What have I done to myself?

Wow! It sounds like you went through a lot.. and all at the same time! Don't be so hard on yourself. We are all here for a reason. It doesn't matter how we got here, but that we are here now and working at fixing it! So, welcome to tbll!

kurvy: I don't think you ever really conquer the food addiction. It's like alcohol or drugs ... it's always there waiting in the wings. However, that's OK. What you need to do is accept what happened & forgive yourself. You were in a really stressful place and you coped in the way that you knew how to cope. You got through all of those horrible events and made it to the other side. What counts is where you go from here. You know how this happened (and that's not always easy to understand) and you know you have the strength to conquer your food addiction. Trust in yourself and know that you can do this. You will do this. Because you are worth it.

Well, the first step to anything is admitting the problem, and facing it head on with realistic goals. Don't be hard on yourself because we're all here for the same reason. Welcome to the group.