[carosmith14]

Hello to ANYBODY!

I'm new to blogging/forums/etc... so bare with me! I am 21 years old, engaged and OVERWEIGHT!! Here's a bit about myself:

1. I am ridiculously unhappy with myself. I'd dare say that I am depressed. At the root of my depression is my low self-esteem because I am overweight. I want to be happy, and I know I will be if I lose this stubborn weight.

2. I love my fiance with ALL OF MY HEART, and I CANNOT wait to marry him in 9 months. Today we met with the wedding photographer and although I'm super excited for this big day, I am terrified about our wedding photos. I hate pictures..and I want to look BEAUTIFUL on this day (what bride doesn't?). Anyways, I am nervous about my wedding day for one reason: I am afraid I will look ugly walking down the isle and everybody will be thinking "look at that white balloon walking down the isle." AGAIN: I need to lose this stubborn weight!

3. When my fiance and I eventually move into our new apartment, I want him to carry me across the threshold. I have NEVER let my fiance carry me, and I ENVY those girls that can get on their man's back, have him cradle her in his arms, have him simple HOLD her...Christopher, my fiance, always tries to pick me up and I always run away I need to lose this stubborn weight so that he can pick me up !!

4. I have never told anybody how much I weigh...I am totally ashamed. I'm 21 years old, just over five feet tall, and I weight....200 pounds... I need to lose this horrible weight, and preferably before my wedding date (21 May 2011).

5. I think probably the biggest reason that I have not lost weight is that I haven't had an adequate support group. While my fiance and family love me, they don't know what it's like to be overweight and to have this complete and total unhappiness. I can workout for days and not lost a pound, and when I get overwhelmed and turn to my mom or dad for support, they say "well...work out harder." I need a support group. Hopefully I came to the right place.

So...I feel like this is all I can say right now.. WHO CAN HELP ME THROUGH THESE NEXT 9+ MONTHS!!??!! I would love for somebody to encourage/motivate me..just as I will encourage/motivate you in return.

Thank you all so, so much..and if ANY of you have any suggestions on how to START a GOOD/EFFECTIVE workout/diet/eating healthy plan, PLEASE let me know!

-Caroline

P.S. What do people have to say about the Fat Smash Diet? It looks like a good thing to try out...I think I may. Any takers with me??

[cb1]

Listen... getting to your goal weight by your wedding day is totally doable. So calm down, relax. 9 months is a lot of time! I would take a few days to research different eating plans to find out which one you think you can stick with for the long term. Incorporate exercise and healthier habits into your plan. Drink lots of water.

Don't overdo it - i.e. don't rush in and work out soooo hard and starve yourself on a (bad)extreme diet and then get burnt out, give up and gain it all back plus some. A steady plan is a successful plan...

I have been dieting for 3 weeks (calorie counting), and exercising and I have lost 7 lbs. You can figure an average weight loss per month, if you eat well and exercise, at 8-10 lbs even, especially since you are young, unless you have any health concerns (other than weight) that would prevent that. So if you are dedicated you have PLENTY of time to lose all the excess weight for your wedding.

I have found all the people on 3FC are super encouraging and full of helpful advice, so keep coming back here because I know others will be able to help also. I hope this post has been helpful. Good luck!

[briters89]

Good for you! This is the perfect place to come! I'm also 21 years old, and got married 8 months ago. I think we really have a lot in common! I know you can lose this weight by your wedding day, and you are going to look stunning. I can't wait to see all of your progress! And trust me, simply by checking in on here daily, you won't gain lots of weight. This will keep you accountable. I've never been good at losing weight, and have lost 10 pounds in less than a week. (I always lose fast my first week)

[bex]

Welcome! You are totally in the right place.
Everyone here is so lovely and full of encouragement.
If you have the money I would reccomend Weight Watchers. Find a good leader and group. I love my weekly meetings, keeps me accountable and everyone is really supportive. I am very biased though lol.

Looking forward to hearing how you're going
x

[LockItUp]

Welcome! You will find tons of support here! Definitely look into what will work for you. I do calorie counting and use a website to input calories. I love it and it works for me and also has in the past. And like cb1 said do go and over do it and kill yourself. Start with 20 mins a day then work up. You will be surprised how fast the time goes and then before you know it 10 lbs will be gone then 20 and so on!

[happyveggie]

welcome
i totally understand what you said about those girls jumping on their man's backs! lol i have always wanted to do that, and soon i will! lol and so will you!

[Chubzo]

Hey,
I'm also a bride-to-be (July 2, 2011).
I can completely and utterly understand all of your wedding desires. I have the exact same fears. I even had my fiance "test" to see if he could carry me without a heavy dress on. (Needless to say I freaked out last minute and we came crashing down.) Yet, its still a goal.

What I can say is don't worry about it THAT much. He loves you for you and that's what counts.

No one is going to think you're a balloon walking down the aisle. I use to work at Davids Bridal and believe me, there are dresses for every body shape.

So, welcome! You can do this.

[carosmith14]

AH! I'm so excited! Thank you ALL!! I posted this earlier today and kept checking every 2 minutes to see if anybody would reply..when people didn't respond within 5 minutes I got all nervous and thought this was a total flop. Then, I went to dinner and wallaaa! 5 new posts!

Thank you SO MUCH! I am so excited to get started!

[carosmith14]

Oh, and Briters89:
WE DO HAVE A LOT IN COMMON! I did some stalking and checked out your profile page and ya..we're both 21, married/engaged, overweight (and around the same size! and have the same goals) and we're both teachers! Your profile says you're a teacher and I'm currently in the middle of getting my masters in early childhood education!

Congrats on losing 10 lbs in a week! What's your secret/how'd you do it? I know I have to keep doing research to find out what works best for me, and I plan on researching and searching, but I'm inspired that you lost 10 lbs in one week. Care to share/ be motivators?

Thanks!

[Mommy in Motion]

Welcome Caroline! If you're just starting out (diet/exercise wise) the best thing to do is start small, with clearly defined goals.

For example- instead of saying "I'm going to eat healthy" (vague goal) start smaller. Track what you eat for a few days so you have a good visual of your diet. Then use that to start making small changes. They add up over time- and 9 months is a lot of time!

Good luck.

~Dagny

[briters89]

Wow good for you! My husband and I just moved to washington state, so I'm in search of a good grad school! I graduated with my ba in liberal studies in 3 years then we moved! I'm thinking I now want to go into counseling though... not sure! I have tons of options. Hey feel free to email me! Id love to chat. My email is [email protected]

[SheGos91]

Also a bride to be and totally understand where you are coming from just stay focus and don't STARVE yourself or overwork yourself I am doing the 30 day shred and seeing some good results also couch to 5k is a good workout google it for the plan. Just pace yourself and make sure you post pictures of your wedding day when you reach your goal all the best of luck if you ever need someone to talk to you im here for you. We both are about the same and wanting to lose the same for the same reason. Just stay focused lady!

[SheGos91]

Oh sorry for double posting ladies my email is [email protected]