[SpoonSockSpork12]

Hello all!

I am a 22-yr old grad student that has given up on simply "trying to eat healthy" to go back to actually keeping track of my food intake. Over Christmas/New Year's I got to my heaviest ever. It's been difficult to find motivation to really keep track of points because I have never *looked* too badly with extra weight on. I'm the type that my friends would agree could lose weight, but they are all surprised when I tell them the number on the scale. I have always carried the extra weight well, and it doesn't help that my boyfriend seemed blissfully unaware of my weight until I set up a Wii Fit avatar (awkward!).

Nevertheless, I know I am not healthy, can't wear all the clothes I'd like to, and don't feel as well as I do when I'm in a good weight range. I am aiming to lose 50 pounds, and my doctor would agree that I could even lose a few more at my height.

So here I am! I last did Weight Watchers in high school with my mother, but I found that I could eat white bread and cookies and still lose weight each week. The last time I dieted, I did South Beach and felt great being forced to choose the better foods while losing even more weight. Now it's my goal to somewhat combine the two. As a grad student, my time is not my own. In addition to my regular academic classes, I teach two labs, attend conferences, do field work for weeks at a time, have weekly meetings/seminars, and conduct my own research. Some days I may be at my office from 8 am until 10 pm. I think combining South Beach foods with Weight Watchers' Points system will make it easiest to stick to a healthy eating plan in my situation.

I really enjoyed the last (SB) forum I was a part of! This is my first time on 3FC, so I'm hoping to meet some good people on here! Please let me know any advice you have.

~SSS12

P.S. I will be doing this without attending meetings. Poor graduate student = no money for weekly meetings. I do, however, have an excellent app on my phone that's a food journal with the WW Points Calculator on it!

P.P.S. Posting this in a couple areas since I'm not sure about the appropriate place. Sorry!

[HealthierLori]

Welcome, SS! I am so glad you are here! Good for you for choosing to aim for a healthier and more comfortable weight! I wish you the best of luck on your journey to better health!

I'm also trying to do it without meetings. I was wondering if you could share the name of the phone app you use? I do have an i-phone and would love an app that works well to keep track of my calories or helps me plan a day's meals.

I'm a newbie myself and I have about the same amount to lose, so I hope we can encourage each other on these message boards!

[SpoonSockSpork12]

Hi Lori! I see you are from my neck of the woods! Spent the past 8 years in NOVA before moving out to the Midwest. Unfortunately I have an Android phone so the same app will probably not be in your market. To find mine I just typed in "Weight Watchers" into the app store and it popped up; maybe Apple has a similar app!

[HealthierLori]

Thank you so much, SS! I'll look for an app! Again, welcome and I just know we both will achieve better health by the spring/summer!

[leeway]

Hi SpoonSockSpork!
Wow, you are a busy girl - sounds like you're ready to get started with a good plan - the support you need is here - we'll be here to cheer you on.

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 and inspired. Try the 20 somethings, and the weight loss support forums, they're active and very helpful - also the Success stories are a definite must for motivation. Maybe check out both the Weight Watchers and South Beach forum , too.

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 since last fall, 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 going off track or giving up. It has made all the difference in my success so far.

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

All the best - good luck with your goals,
Lee

[SpoonSockSpork12]

Hi Lee! Thank you for your kind words. Despite my schedule I've managed to fit in 20-45 minutes of cardio daily since this current semester started. Let's see if I can keep it up once the real work starts!