[AutumnHarvest]

Welcome!

[joylove26]

Welcome Jen, sounds like you're in the right mindset. You sound very motivated. I know you can do it so you won't need luck but I'll wish you luck anyhow. Just in case it helps...lol.

[barbygirl43]

You have found a wonderful place for support. It sounds like you have a great plan for yourself.

[pamatga]

Another !!!

Thanks for sharing with us your plans. You will really love it. It is hard to not want to spend the whole day here most of the time. That has become my new "weakness". I go from forum to forum.

Keep it up! You can do it!!

[Jen2008]

Well so far so good. The first four days' workouts are done. Not a lot, but usually once I get through the first week or two, it's become a habit, and it's not a struggle anymore. Tomorrow's just a 20 minute walk, Friday's my rest day, and then I do a 3-mile walk on Saturday. If I get myself out to do that, I'll be just fine.

I did buy my new sneakers yesterday, so I'm thrilled. It was odd walking today, because I'm so used to my old ones, but these ones are great for all of the hills in my area (one of my biggest problems with the old ones was that my feet would slide forward going down the steep hills, and I'd always hurt my poor little piggies). I got ones with a bit more of a point to them, so even if the steepness forces me to slide forward, I'm not hitting the wide front like with the old ones.

I haven't started tracking what I'm eating yet. I'll probably wait until I have two weeks of workouts under my belt. I know if I try to make too many changes at once to my schedule, I'll rebel. I want the workouts to be a habit first. I did buy a food diary - normally I make my own, but really liked the way this one was setup. Just happened across it in a bookstore yesterday when I went to the mall for the sneakers.

The best thing so far is that I'm already seeing myself behave a bit more and picking up on energy. The trick seems to be working out mid-morning to early afternoon. I feel so good afterwards that I don't want to touch anything "bad" for me, without actually limiting myself. Today, I can't seem to stop dancing around. lol And I'm doing a late lunch of veggies (potatoes, carrots, and mushrooms) with lots and lots of water.

Thanks again for the warm welcome and support. This is such a friendly community!

[Jen2008]

I just thought I'd drop by and post an update since I haven't been here in a while. Tomorrow will be a month from my first post here, and as of this morning, my current weight is 290.2 lbs (from a starting weight of 297.4 lbs). It's not a big difference, but at the same time, 7 lbs isn't something to sneeze at.

I hadn't updated earlier b/c I was having a lot of water weight fluctuations while trying to drink more water and drink less diet sodas. My body's finally stabilized on that front, so I'm more confident in the numbers.

I didn't stick with the distance training program. I actually found it rather dull, and if I get bored too easily, I quit. So instead I'm just trying to make myself do something physical for 30-50 minutes per day... despite my boredom with the old walking routine, so far I'm pretty much just walking. Go figure. lol I guess I like this better b/c I don't have to choose my routes based on distance... I can go wherever I want, see what I want, and not have a problem coming in at my target range (often even a little higher).

I never started using my food journal. I've found that over the last two weeks, I've been eating less naturally b/c of other distractions (work, family, the workouts, and a new man in my life - yay for that!). I figure it's best not to mess with a good thing for now... I'm actually waiting to eat until I physically feel hungry, and that's unusual for me, but seems to be working. I'll keep the food diary around if I find myself struggling and needing to get back on track.

I hope everyone else is doing well so far this Spring.

[fiberlover]

Jen - 7 pounds in a month is great!

[Gela]

That's great Jen! Keep it up. 7 pounds is a very healthy loss. I've increased my walks and feel so energetic.

[valpal23]

welcome Jen! It sounds like you are really in the right place mentally to make this work. When I started I had over 100 pounds to lose but I stuck with changes I could maintain forever.. not deprevation. That thinking will get you far! Just find a sub-forum that you like and jump in

[Tai]

Hi Jen! Welcome and congrats on your positive attitude and motivation. I'm sure you'll do great.

I'm new as well and really like this group. I've learned so much from reading posts and blogs.

[Hopefulpinkangel]

That's great Jen! 7 lbs is awesome! Keep it up!!

[Trazey34]

HI and a great big welcome!! We have similar philosophies, I'm not a 'diet follower' and once I start feeling deprived at all, well look out heheheh But by doing pretty much what you said, I've managed to drop 65 lbs., pretty painlessly.

I hope you like it around here, and post often - it's amazing how much support and comfort you can find in an online community. It's one more thing I'm doing differently and I think it contributes to my success.

If I can offer one piece of advice it's not to look at it as a journey to lose 100 lbs, that sounds wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy too hard for anyone to do! that's impossible!!! what IS possible is losing 10% of the weight I have to lose...10 times! hehehehe 10 pound chunks just seem much more do-able and achievable and not scary at all

welcome and hope to hear lots from you!
Tracey

[pintobean]

Welcome Jen! This place is amazing. Lots of support and ideas as everyone mentioned above.

As for the shoes...you might want to try zappos.com site. My husband wears wide shoes and he has trouble finding shoes in stores. He only wears New Balances as they fit him better. This place is amazing as it carries a huge variety of shoes and shipping is free both ways and the customer service is very nice. We don't buy sneakers in stores anymore.

[Sandi]

[PaulaM]

Hi Jen! Welcome!