Hi everyone, I'm new here and have been taking the time to read a lot of your posts and profiles detailing how much weight you've been losing, things like achievements/frustrations, etc., and it made me want to join.
I'm 24 and have always been overweight (was born at 9 lbs!) and since I was 12 I've been suffering through the same agonizing cycle of yo-yo dieting, negative self talk, having to hear negative comments from others, eating emotionally, exercising, starting it all fresh and giving it up all together. It's such a nightmare.
I'm 5'2" and 163 pounds and would love to lose 20-30 lbs. I'm just like so many of you in that I love food! I love smelling it, making it, looking up new recipes, trying new restaurants, and I think the biggest mistake I've made in the past is telling myself I can't have any of that if I want to lose the weight. I want to do this now, and I want to do it right- slow and healthy, and I think a 1500 calorie daily plan and starting off with walking 3-4 times/week will be doable and not too difficult.
I'd love to get any tips or encouragement from anyone out there who thinks I could benefit from it, and I hope that this forum becomes a good place to share successes, frustrations, or anything in between. Hope you're all well!
Hi there! I just joined this forum too. About the walking, do you have a buddy you can walk with? Sometimes, it makes it so much easier, there is more accountability and the time goes by faster!
Welcome! I know you can do it. There are so many people here that have been successful and know the proper way to get it done, and they are awfully good at knowing just the right things to say when needed.
I began to get concerned about my weight as I approached middle age, and did not have the skills or knowledge to do it on my own. But reading about people's experiences and successes here taught me that losing weight can be done by anyone. Good luck! I am positive that you will be successful.
Last edited by gardend1va; 04-28-2012 at 04:41 PM.
Welcome! I'm back for the 3rd time. This board is sooo helpful! I was a member about a year ago and was able to lose 30 pounds with everyone's help and encouragement! I'm back again because I fell of the horse for a variety of reasons... Glad to get to know a fellow CC!
We'll encourage each other. I am also new to the forums, sometimes I think I am my own worst enemy. This time I have to succeed because anything else is unacceptable to me. We'll both succeed.
I am new to this board but not new to weight loss ... and gain lol.
It's sounds like you have the right mind-set and that's 90% of the battle, in my opinion!
Just one thing, if walking regularly is new to you, you could start out 2 days a week and then add days as you can. So many times I've seen people overdo a new exercise routine and then get frustrated and quit when they can't keep it up!
Anyhoo, good for you for taking steps to be a healthier person!
Welcome! Sounds like you've got a good plan to start! Stay focused and don't get all caught up in the day to day of this.... Remember we're all in this together!
I too have been on and off this forum a few times and I can sympathize with your weight gains, losses and negative self-talk.
On here, you will receive and give a ton of encouragement! This is a very nice place to be!
Remember, just take things a day at a time. If you fall off the horse, get back up again at the next meal, the next day, the next week or the next month, whatever it may be! Have fun and really try to enjoy this time since it is part of your life journey!
Thank you so much everyone for getting back! I'm working on doing just what you're all saying, taking things one day at a time, etc. So far so good- 2 lbs down!!
New- hoping for a boost of encouragement!!
I too have been on and off this forum a few times and I can sympathize with your weight gains, losses and negative self-talk. 
