Hello 3fc world! One of my friends recommended this site to me as the only one that worked for her, so I figured I would try to give it a shot. As the title suggests, I am 22 and at my last weigh in (about 3 months ago) I was 350ish (yeah, I made a mental note to forget the exact number as soon as they moved me from the scale you step on and slide the weights to the electronic one). I've tried many "trend" diets in the past (atkins, south beach, sugar busters, etc) but have not found one that fits me. Its 2009, I've been out of college for a year now, I have a great job and a lot of potential...but I feel like my weight is holding me back. I finally have the time to put myself first and I really would like to make the change. However, i have NO clue as to even begin this whole "life change." I've tried talking to my Doctor, doctors in fact, and the best advice i have been given is to "walk around the block" and "join weight watchers." I would just like some more realistic suggestions for someone who is drastically overweight.

Fitness:

When I was in college, i was a lot more active than I am now. Even walking to classes was a decent work out. Plus, the free gym membership (although not always used) was nice. However, now that I am graduated, I am finding it hard to find fun, affordable, and fat-friendly work-outs. I find yoga and palates fun, but lets face it...some of the moves are just not designed for someone of my size. I like things that are constantly changing (like arobics) but I wouldn't even begin to know what classes to take or dvds to watch that would be helpful but not too stressful. I'm a bit of a gaming nerd and i find that some of my best workouts are done in my basement while playing DDR (dance dance revolution [yes, the dancing game with lots of arrows]) but I find that in order to do some of the more advanced stages, my ankles and such will burn and I am concerned that all the hard jumping and such might be damaging myself more than helping. If anyone has any workouts that they enjoy or suggestions of good tapes, dvds, classes to look into, I would GREATLY appreciate it!

Diets:

Here's the thing with diets...I LOVE FOOD! Obviously For some reason, regardless of how much I know i don't need something or know how bad something is for me...its not enough for me to NOT eat it. Darn will power and lack of it. I think my biggest problem are the starches. I swear i could live off of pasta, bread, and rice for the rest of my life! When I was doing the atkins and south beach diets I was able to cut them out for 3 months, but after only losing 7lbs (but half of my savings) I decided that white bread was worth the little bit of extra weight. Now I am seeing the error in of my ways, but I am afraid to cut too much out of my diet because of fear that I wont stick to it. The second part of the "diets" section I have is finance. I do enjoy my job, but with cost of living in the area that I am...I don't have a large budget for food and other expenses each month. What I was hoping htat you, 3fc world could help me with, is suggesting diets that are designed for people 300+ overweight that are AFFORDABLE.

I really appreciate ya'll taking the time to read this and any input you could shed on my situation would be a GREAT help! It would be nice to finally talk to and get advice from people who are or have been in my shoes. Thanks and have a great night!

XoStefXo

Hi Stef!
WELCOME to 3FC! You've come to an amazing place for friendship and encouragement. You will find loads of information and advice around here. I would love to stay up and type you a long reply but I'm exhausted at the moment and will chime in more when I can.

YOU CAN DO THIS!!! You can turn things around. You can lose weight and get healthy. YOU are in control!!!

Cliff notes version for now....

I topped out a couple years ago at 351 pounds. I yo-yo'd for a while and finally got my head on straight this year on Aug 1. I am now down to 260 pounds and going strong. I feel better than I have felt in many, many years!

For me counting calories, making healthy food choices and lots of exercise is the key. I eat 1800 calories per day and exercise 7 days a week.

Big Hugs to you! Hang out here, make yourself at home. You'll be surprised how much a support group can help!

G'night...for now.

Welcome!

I don't believe there's only one path to weight loss (and maintenance) success, but I do believe that you don't have to starve to lose weight. You do need to be willing to make changes to what you're doing now.

I lost weight counting calories -- EVERYTHING. But starting at around 300 pounds, I began by eating about 2000 calories/day. As I lost I dropped it to 1800. I lost 100 pounds in 55 weeks.

Exercise -- find something you like! But, you're right, you don't want to hurt yourself. I began by just "moving more". Then I started walking on our treadmill -- then I moved to elliptical workouts -- and I learned DDR too!

For me, the key to making lifelong changes has been "baby steps" -- incorporating changes somewhat gradually. Others want to make all the changes at once...

purpleorc -- I'm struck by the similarity in our starting and lowest weights (though, I'm back up a bit!) and also by our trajectories to both eating and exercise!

Thank you so much ladies! Like i said, this is completely new to me and it is really encouraging to know that 1) there is support out there and 2) that weight loss IS possible (something I was beginning to think was unachievable). I am going to search calorie counting sites today. Like you mentioned purple, you can find almost ANYTHING on the internet, so why not a calorie counting site? I'm also crossing my fingers that I could even download something to my cell phone or ipod to help. I read somewhere that sometimes it is hard to count calories when you get busy, so a good way to keep track is to take a picture on your camera phone of what you ate so that when you get a free second, you can review and tally. As for the whole exercise thing...I never thought of increasing my chores around the house as a way to workout, but the more I think about it, the more it makes sense (especially since I have 3 flights of stairs in my home!). What a good way to combine two chores in one! Again, thanks for all the input and if you, or anyone else reading this, has more advise...I am all ears!

XoStefXo

Hi there! I will recommend calorie counting but only because it works! I started out at 534 pounds so I know all about being "drastically overweight" I started counting calories in Jan of 2008 and have lost more than 165 pounds from then until now and still want to lose about another 90 pounds or so, everything that I have done I have put in my blog (which is in my sig if you were interested), all you need to to is mix 2 parts determination with an oz of dedication and a cup and a half of willpower, shake vigorously and bamn! you are losing weight!

Good luck with your weight loss journey.

As Ever
Me

You and I should be diet buddies. I am 23 and started a month ago at 350. I will be back on later to elaborate, but I am leaving work right now. I just wanted to post so I wouldn't forget!

I am just starting out also, I am 22 and in the professional business myself... I reached my highest at 330, I am at 305 right now and am 5'10"... I am looking forward to following the life changes with you...

I joined 3fc when I was 23.. and about 325 lbs. I lost 100 lbs in about 11 months with calorie counting. I've kind of backed off counting and am trying to focus on fiber rich foods instead (I found counting tedious after I changed jobs)

my doctor originally suggested i join WW as a way to lose the weight forever.... all the best!