WELCOME Misty! :) I had the same starting weight and I have just about the same goal weight. I am still not there but I am on my way.... just so that you know it is possible!

YOU'RE MY HERO!!!!!!!! What plan have you followed? I'm still in my planning stage and hope to have everything finalized by Thursday -- any ideas would be godsend right now!

~Misty

Misty-
I have just been following a plan of eating less. I still eat pretty much what I want, but less of it. However, over time I have cut out most of the really bad junk food like McDs and chips, ice cream, ect. Occasionally I will have some bad food, but I try to keep it to a minimum. I also try to exercise but I will admit that my efforts could be improved in that area! It has taken some time to lose the weight (a little over 18mos now) but sticking power is what is key--not speed. I have to remind myself that over and over again now that I am getting closer to my goal and the weight is taking longer to budge.
My advice is to go with a forgiving low calorie plan if you are a total newb to weight loss. For me, WW is too structured and made me think about food all day long and how I could get the most bang for my buck and how many points I should save for the weekend and it ended up being waaaay too involved for me. It is easier for me to just count calories and when you get the hang of it you can generally have a good idea of how many calories you are eating in a day and just keep a running total in your head for the day.
But most importantly of all, whatever plan you decide, don't get so uptight about it that if you mess up a day here and there you get upset with yourself and say "forget about it." Every day is it's own entity, and when the good days start out numbering the bad days is when progress will ensue.
I wish you all the best success.
Let us know what plan you choose! :)

It's so funny that we all have the same goal but that we all have to have our own approach to achieving the goal. I applaud you Shrinkingchica for being able to lose 95 lbs. - that is a wonderful thing. We all have to find our own way of doing it but it still takes positive thinking, no matter what type of plan you are on.

I have to have something structured such as WW because I have to have someone else do the weighing, etc. because if I don't, I play these mind games and I keep putting it off and putting it off and it doesn't get done. I know myself so-o-o-o well. My plan has become my most important task so that I can stay focused.

Good luck alkali-feldspar - as well as the rest of us. We all have to do whatever it takes - one thing is for sure, if you don't take care of yourself, nobody else will.

DNR

Welcome Misty and Lani! Good to have you here

:welcome:

Thanks for all the welcomes and feedback guys! I'm getting "my plan" around for posting on Thursday (since I gave myself a week) and I was wondering if there is a thread where everybody does this or what? If I put this sucker out there for everybody to see, it will help me with my accountability issue. Thanks again guys!

~Misty