Hi there. My name is Jen, and I'm from the US. Tomorrow I'm starting my quest to lose over a hundred pounds. I've lost weight on my own before, but this time I thought an online support group might keep me more motivated, so I hope to be around here for a while.
At my absolute worst, I weighed 317 lbs. Back in 2006, I lost 50lbs completely on my own - just changing eating habits and exercising... I don't believe in following "diets" or fads, and don't believe in weight loss surgery for my particular case. I also don't believe in depriving myself of anything at all, so moderation is a big key when I do lose weight (and it worked well for me the last time).
I put on some of that weight again over the last year (because the ex and I ate out far too often, and I didn't do too hot with moderation when eating at restaurants), and at my last weigh-in, I was at 298.4 lbs.
(EDIT: I just did my official starting weigh-in, and I'm 297.4 lbs.) I'm almost exactly six feet tall, so ultimately, I'd love to be down between 160 and 180 lbs. I don't even think I weighed that as a teenager though. lol
I'm fresh out of a year-long relationship, and rather than moping around depressed, I'm taking the initiative to make some major changes in my life - weight loss being one of them. I'm not doing this because I want to be "pretty." I already love myself at any weight. I'm doing it because I want to be healthier, and I want to increase my energy throughout the day.
When I lost weight the last time, it was almost by accident. I was driving one day, passed a park, decided to go there, and began walking along a wooded path. It was addicting, and I went back every day until I was doing 4 - 6 miles per day (which I can still do... it's just a bit more of a struggle... I'm generally amazed at how much my body lets me do... they're beautiful machines, aren't they?).
I'm jumping right back into walking and some yoga (which I also used to do daily - I've realized I'm achy and not at all flexible anymore). I decided to do this after seeing a training calendar in Natural Health magazine this month to walk a marathon. While I don't actually intend to walk a marathon, it's a 5-month program, which will keep me increasing my workouts for a significant period of time. It already incorporates a cross-training day, where you can do another activity (such as yoga, or other things I enjoy like Tae Bo once in a while). So with this plan, plus a stretch, strength, or yoga session each day, 6 days a week, I know I can get back on track.
My biggest struggle is usually that I have no one to talk to about the journey, so I hope this community helps with that.
It's also a bit tough to force myself to get dressed and get out, because I work from home - it's too tempting to go right from the bed to the computer. Tomorrow I'll be kicking things off with a new pair of sneakers to help motivate me to get started on something good for myself. In the past, I used to put my workout clothes on before bed, sleep in them with the sneakers next to the bed, and then I'd have no excuse not to go out and walk first thing in the morning. I'll be trying to do that again. I know once I get into the habit, my workouts will become my "friend" again. lol And I've got the willpower to get back to that point.
I'm babbling. Sorry about that.
Wish me luck! And I hope to get to know some of you better while we share our journeys to become healthier, happier people.
Jen