Hi there,
I was wondering if I could join you? I've read some of your posts and you all see so supportive and realisitc.
I live just outside of Boston. I'm 43. I've been married for15 1/2 years and have two young children (ages 6 and 3 1/2). I've been heavy all my life, despite the fact that I was very active in my teens and 20s. I was about 30lbs overweight when I graduated high school yet I was a figure skater (not a very good one -- lol) on the ice 12+ hours a week, I actually ENJOYED phys ed class and during the warmer months I'd bike ride for exercise BEFORE school.
I am now at the heaviest I've ever been, about 130 pounds overweight --- eek!!! It's just sort of crept on, a little each year. I can't blame having kids for it ... my oldest is adopted and my 2nd a biological surprise ... and 6 weeks after I had her I was 22 lbs lighter than when I became pg. eeek!! But, that's all back now.
I'm not as active as I used to be but I did a lot of walking last year ... I work in a very hilly section of town and walked hills for 45 mins to an hour most weekdays. I didn't lose any weight, but I got conditioned enough to do a 20 mile charity walk last May!!! The walking subsided when the workload got heavy and the weather lousy ... we've had lots more snow than usual this year and it's only January 4th!
I'm always seen myself as 'fat'. At 150 lbs, I was convinced I was HUGE ... now, at much more than that, emotionally, I FEEL the same (but needless to say my clothes have gotten bigger --
) And when I see photos of myself I'm shocked and not pleased with what I see. I've always been self-confident and outgoing. I've never let my weight prevent me from doing the things I want to do ... until recently. The last time I went skiing was before my oldest child arrived (about 50 lbs ago) ... now that my kids are old enough to learn to ski, I'm really afraid to. Afraid of what it will do to my knees. Afraid of what I'll look like on the mountain. This has NEVER happened to me before so it's time to get serious about weight loss!
I've done many diets over the years and the one I had the most success with was the 1970's version of Weight Watchers. It restricted carbs ... in particular it restricted STARCH to 2 slices of bread a day, no cereal, no rice, no pasta, no potatoes. So, after reading all the latest stuff, I'm trying a low carb plan and like half the world I started Jan 2. I'm doing it on my own, and right now am keeping a journal as well as a food diary. I hope that in a few weeks I'll establish a habit and be able to drop the food diary, but I find the journal helps.
AND ... I think this forum will help. It will be nice to know that somebody might actually READ what I write and it may give me the incentive I need to stick-to-it.
Sorry this is so long ... If you've made it this far, thanks for reading. I look forward to "meeting" all of you.
Thanks,