[mvanheck]

Hi! =) My name is Melissa Van Heck. I found this site today and though it would be a great tool to continue on my diet journey. I have been on a diet for about a year now. Last Thanksgiving I weighed about 235-240. I am currently at 177. I feel great about where I am and where I have come from but I still have some more lbs to lose. I want to be at my initial goal by Christmas which would mean losing 27 lbs in less than two months. I think it is feasible but will require a lot of hard work. This time last year I was in a size 16 and am proud to say I am able to wear a size 12 now. I was very active in high school and weighed in at about 120-130. After getting married (like many do) I started to gain weight and let it get out of control. When looking at pictures of myself a year ago I am disgusted and ashamed but I just look at it as water under the bridge. I have been on a low carb diet and can say it works!! I do cardio and weight training whether it be running, yoga, an elliptical or whatever I try to work out everyday. Any advice or helpful tips on losing the last 27 would be great! Thanks

[Onederchic]

Welcome to 3FC and good luck with your goals.

Hugs
Michelle

[D22Guzman]

Hi welcome...hope you lose those 27lbs good luck...

[petra65]

Welcome. There is an active low carb forum here that you may find useful. 27 lbs in 7 weeks when you are close to goal is awfully ambitious but good luck to you.

[leeway]

Hi Melissa!
Congrats on all your success so far - your goal is right around the corner - I know you'll be there before you know it with your great plan of low carb, exercise and determination!

Glad to have you join us! There are lots & lots of different groups and forums - I'm sure you'll find some that will keep you motivated, inspired and entertained! I'm on low carb, too - I find it very easy & effective - there's a wonderful Carb Counter forum that should be of interest to you.

There are bunches of people here with more to lose and some with less - the bottom line is that we all have to do it a day at a time. The good thing is that we'll have lots of company along the way.

I've only been here a short time myself, having NEVER been part of an online forum. What has been so eye-opening is how much it has helped me. Whenever I feel overwhelmed or defeated, I just log on and read some of the success stories, complete with their before & after photos - or read about others still dealing day to day with their challenges - and before I know it, the time has flown by and so have all the thoughts of cheating or giving up.

So welcome - you 've found the right place - join in by inspiring us and being inspired!

[mvanheck]

Thanks everyone for the support! Yea 27 lbs does seem like a lot but I have had pretty good luck with losing the weight so far. This may not be true but I feel like it has been easy for me to lose the weight quicker than some because I use to be small and was very fit and toned. I don't know if this impacts weight loss whether you were small then gained weight and try to lose or if you have always been overweight. Some feedback on this would be great from others who may have had the same experience.