Thanks! I'm debating between 60 minutes on the Nordic Tack and shoveling snow. Of course it will melt in two days, but it's a different type of workout than my body is used to and "they say" to keep changing it up!

"They" are absolutely right, it's good to change your workouts and your eating habits too... Snow in KY? REally? ... We had a whack of it in the last 2 days :faint: ... Some snow banks are like 8 feet tall :dizzy: ....

Throughout my childhood I was overweight, but after I left school my weight really shot up. I have spent the past year dieting, so much so it no longer really feels like a diet!I now have a 'healthy' bmi but i still feel quite bulky, i am just trying to slim down to feel more attractive (so shallow!)

Edit: P.S. I'm new here :)

Hi featherweights.

I'm actually pretty bummed at the moment after having eaten too much Easter candy. I was supposed to control myself!

Anyway, I'm a 36-year-old mom with two little ones. I'm a stay-at-home mom (so the kitchen is never far away :corn:)

In some ways, my story is a happy one, and in some ways..not so much.
I started getting chubby at about 6 years old. I remember taking ballet, tap, jazz lessons, and I remember feeling like I wasn't as cute as the other girls with their flat bellies and slim legs. I knew I was different. It's not hard to see how I got a little chubby. After I was too old for latch-key, I would go home after school and eat everything in the house until my mom got home from work late. My MO: watching Diff'rent Strokes and Facts of Life while going through box after box of Cheez-Its. My mom rarely cooked, and when she did, it was usually something like a thick, greasy, tater-tot hotdish. She would take me to McDonalds all the time, too, and order me TWO Big Macs, fries, and a Coke. It was her way of pampering me and showing me love when she couldn't really do it in the right way. It gets more complicated too, with some child molestation things that went down -- all just close calls, but too close for anything near comfort -- and I think subconscioulsly she was trying to bulk me up and de-cutify me. She cut all my long pretty hair off at the time, too. I mean, she cut it realllly short.

But, like a lot of girls, I was a lot heavier in my mind than in reality. I probably carried at most 5 pounds "too much" until about the age of 17 (also enter at that time dabblement in bulimia :no:, which still rears it ugly head occasionally). Then 5 pounds too much turned into 15 pounds too much by the end of college. Lots of beer.

Then I went to grad school and stuffed my face. I studied constantly, was constantly stressed out, and never thought I had the time to exercise.

By my late twenties, I got up to about 170, a good 30 pounds more than I wanted to be, at least. Thing is, I was young, and everything was pretty darn firm. Big, but tight.

Then I had my little ones. Gained gargantuan amounts of weight with both pregnancies. Minor ups and downs, but the upshot was, I was shopping plus-sized, and that stretched-out post-pregnancy skin couldn't hold a thing in. I just couldn't look in the mirror. Nooks and crannies all over the place. No longer bootylicious. Celluliticious. No Beyonce song for that one.

A couple of times in the past I tried Jenny Craig, but I couldn't deal with the food for long.

Then, finally, about 3 years ago, I decided I had to do it myself. I started eating less, but the hugest change was that I started exercising like a fiend. I got an elliptical machine, set up my TV and tivo right in front of it, and I go to town on it, even if I don't get a chance until 11 o'clock at night. I only let myself watch tv when I'm exercising (the best, most motivational thing being The Biggest Loser!!!) I got down to my current 135. (okay, 137 this morning). I got a bodybugg, too, which when I pair it with calorie counting, is the right formula for me. Now I just have to stop cheating on bad Easter candy. Did I really eat one of those Peeps????? Argh! I'm a 100% emotional eater. Food=love. Food=comfort.

I love love love the featherweights forum! :hug:
I feel like with some support, I can finally lose these super super annoying last few pounds. For once in my life, I want to look gooooood. I would love to get my thighs in a pair of designer jeans and like the view of the back. And I want to look good naked, too, come on, for once! Or, perhaps more important to me, for once in my life, I want to be in control of my food and my body.

--Lizzard

First, I'd like to say how great it is to find this forum since I've never participated in anything like this :)

As for my story, for almost five years now I keep gaining & losing the dreaded 15 pounds and sometimes even more. I must admit, I have resorted to unhealthy ways but it always creeps back up. Last year, I gained it all again, was completely out of shape and was constantly tired. This year I decided to really keep my new years resolution and not only lose the weight, but maintain it and live a much healthier lifestyle. So far I've lost almost half but I'm also focusing on a healthier lifestyle (including switching for much healthier foods & getting more exercise in my daily activities). I hope I can achieve this!

:welcome: Lucca, Lizzard and Emma :wave: .... You've come to the right place for support...

Who would've thought I'd be a "featherweight"?
 

Gosh, my story with my weight started back when I wasn't even a teenager (and I'm 27 now!). I was the skinny girl growing up, and could eat anything I wanted and not gain a pound.

Then we moved to a new town and puberty hit. So here I was in a new school, taller than everyone else in my class, without friends and eating to console myself. Then my period started and it was all downhill from there. I remember going into the bathroom and getting on the scale once a week, and seeing the weight go up further and further and further. I finally stopped getting on the scale and watched as my pant sizes grew from 10 to 12 to 14 to 16 and finally to 18, with an 18-20 or 2X shirt, which was the highest I ever got. My weight finally topped out at 225 that time before I started trying to lose.

Of course I didn't try the right way. I started taking an "herbal" diet supplement that made me entirely stop eating. I was literally eating one meal a day. I got down to 195 then ran out of pills and went back up.

Through the years I've stayed fairly steady at 200 until last year, when I got up to 220 or 230. I WANTED to do something about it, but didn't know how to start. Fast forward a little bit through some things, and I got married on July 4, 2007. A lady up here at work convinced me to start working out at a little fitness center in town (it's got two treadmills, a couple of recumbent bikes, an elliptical trainer and Nautilus system). I started on July 31, and as of my last weigh in was down to 170.

I'm 5 feet, 9 inches tall, with what I can only guess is a medium to large frame. I tried that test, where you loop your index finger and thumb around your wrist to find out your frame size...it said small. But I also think I have freakishly long fingers (I do...I promise!).

I've set my goal at 160, which puts me in a healthy BMI range. But I'm also finding myself wanting to go lower to provide some padding in case I gain a little back.

And of course I've hit a plateau. So the struggle continues...

:wave: and :welcome: Mindi :D

Hello ladies:wave:

My story is probably similar to most everyone elses. I was somewhat overweight growing up, but I was athletic. I graduated HS at 130-135 lbs (at 5'6") and thought I was a heifer. In college I packed on 20-25 lbs and then lost a ton due to taking Xenadrine and working long hours as a bartender while going to school full time. I graduated at my smallest ever, 125 lbs.

Soon after gradutaion I started dating a guy and was in a relationship with him for over a year. It was a pretty bad and throughout the year I packed 30 lbs back on. I was afraid to leave him, but for some reason I thought if I gained weight and he found me less attractive, then he'd leave me. There just isn't any logic in that situation. Well that didn't happen. I finally had enough and broke things off, claiming it was because of going to grad school in Boston. In reality (even though I was in grad school in Boston), I moved out of state to ensure a clean break of things.

Over the next 2-3 years I continued to gain until I reached my highest weight of 180 lbs. I bounced around between 170 and 180 for awhile and then I met my now fiance. Over the past year and a half I've managed to get my weight down to the low 160s, high 150s through not much effort. Obviously my weight problem was due to being an emotional eater and being unhappy.

Anyway, I'm rediculously happy now. FI loved me when I was 180 and he loves me now. I want to continue the good progress I've made and continue to lose weight. I'd love to get down to 130 and maintain around there, but I think 140 is an achieveable goal. But I want to be toned at that weight. I have no problem being in the mid-range of healthy weight if I'm toned and looking hot ;) I also have a wedding dress to buy for my May 22, '09 wedding. I have to order that 6 months in advance so I've got about 6 months to get down to at least my mid-range goal of 140 lbs.

Strangely enough, I've always hated my legs and hips. I don't know if I've begun to accept my shape for what it is, but this time I want to focus on getting my arms, shoulders and back in shape while slimming down all around.

My specs are 5'6" 156-158 lbs depending on which scale you go by today, medium to small build. Moderately active. I've been trying to get to the gym at least 4 times a week for 30-60 minutes of cardio and strength training. I'm hoping at some point to be able to run a mile, but right now I'm sticking to power walking at incline intervals.

I know this is the featherweight forum and compared to some others I might not have a ton to lose, but honestly, 20-30lbs is a big amount to lose for me. Being on this site puts things into perspective in terms of the battles other people face, but getting healthy (not just losing weight) is the hardest thing I think I've ever done.

:welcome: HudsonHawk :wave: .... Any amount of weight is not easy to lose... You certainly do belong with us, join us on the weekly chat thread...

Hello all!
I posted an intro back in July of last year, so after a long absence, it might be time to introduce myself again.
Alexis
24 y.o
single
teaching English in South Korea.
sw- 154
gw- 124

I'd like to lose about 30 lbs and become more toned. Sometimes I look at the women who have lost significant amounts of weight and feel like I shouldn't be complaining about 30 lbs, but it's more of a lifestyle change for me.

This is exactly how I feel.
(and I'm an emotional eater as well...)

Looking forward to giving and getting support to everyone on the journey toward better health!

~Alexis

Here's my story...
married, 2 kids, 38 yrs...living abroad.
I am an emotional eater... I never reach for something healthy when I'm nervous. I used to be slim...120lbs or so...before kids and before I quit smoking and those were also the days when eating was the last thing on my mind...Going out to bars at night and sleeping all day were my only activities... Then let's fast forward.... I am now a stay at home mom. I go out for coffee (and cake) with the ladies..no more dancing...just sitting around...and packing on the pounds!!!!
I need a lifestyle change.. That's all. I need to start loving to eat an apple just as much as I love to eat....chocolate!!!!! Really!!! Is there such a thing???

I'm not to the "loving apples" part yet....but I could use a chocolate covered apple....

Welcome!!

My story is...
I started with diet on 17th March and then I had 170lbs. Now I have 164lbs, but my ideal weight is 130 and I wont to reach it. I started 90 days diet and today is my 29th day. I forgot to say: married, don't have child jet...

hi featherweights!! I love the idea of this forum b/c I don't totally fit anywhere but could maybe call this home. I started posting w/3FC back in 2005, did great with South Beach and then some Sonoma. I have since fallen off the posting wagon but have not regained my weight. It sadly is not b/c of my diet though. It's all exercise. If I ever stopped exercising the way I eat would cause me to explode LOL.

I am 37, mom of 2 boys, I run marathons and have recently ramped up my strength training. I am 5'1" and weigh 116 today. I would love to be 110 and could probably even go to 105 healthy. I have small bones :) I started at nearly 140 though so I have definately had some success. But now I need to get the eating better. I "know" what to do but succumb to easy and cheap far too often...

Anyway hi hi hi! Looking forward to hanging here.

Well, well, well, NEWBIES everywhere, :welcome: one and all :wave: ...

I've always carried around an extra 15-20 lbs i feel. I was always the "healthy" kid, and all my friends were skinnier than me, except for 2.
In gradeschool it wasn't so bad, high school i had my normal woes but was about a size 8. College I actually lost weight my freshmen year, but over the course managed to put on about another ten lbs. I moved to California which you would think would help me be more healthy, heh. It didn't. I found myself living in LA and was pretty much at my heaviest around 177lbs. I was depressed, hated going out, had anxiety over getting ready to go out somewhere etc...it just wasn't good. i tried ATkins and actually lost about 15 lbs one summer. I was definitely more confident and at ease, but still not at my goal weight. Somehow over time though, the pounds slowly crept back up, about ten of them, so I was in the same boat.

I moved up to northern california a few years ago and things seemed to be ok. It took me about a year here to motivate myself again. I actually ran a half marathon 2 years ago, but didn't end up the skinny athlete I thought I would be. Of course, after running the marathon, I barely ran again. And this past December I found myself back at the 170 mark.

Now, I live with a vegetarian boyfriend who is very health conscious. He watches what he eats anyway, and though he is muscular and fit, he probably weighs less than me. I envy my own boyfriend's waistline!

I've fought my own self image and self esteem issues for a long time. I get panic attacks when Im in a dressing room. I cringe at the thought of going out or getting dressed up bc nothing in my closet fits. I constantly compare myself to other women, wherever I am. It doesnt help that my boyfriend is very open and honest about his thoughts on other women. It's not a bad thing, but due the crazy california life styles out here, our relationship was an "open" one the first few months we dated. I didn't really take advantage of the freedom. He did. Since then, I'm always afraid I don't live up to anyone's expectations. Even though he showers me with compliments and attention, loves me, we live together and have been monogamous with eachother for almost 2 years now, I get anxious.

Sometimes I even get angrier at thinner girls than I am. It seems so easy for them, but then again, I don't know their story. I'm uncomfortable in my own skin and sometimes get jealous if the bf even talks to a female bartender or waitress etc...no matter how attractive she is. If she's thinner, she's a threat.

I just started running again. We actually run together sometimes, although he doesnt need to lose any weight in my opinion. I don't eat poorly, but as he noticed, I eat a lot. If i have a salad, its loaded with veggies or some meat. If i have tofu, its a lot. When we go out to eat, bc he's a veg, his plate is usually smaller than me, and I get a complex. While I'm sitting at home to a dinner of soup and a hearty salad, he's eating a bowl of peas, and sometimes--that's it.

I'm hoping to just get comfortable with myself. I know I'm in a better place than many women. I have 20 lbs to lose, but feel like Ive been fighting that 20 for years. I lose 5 here, or 7, then it creeps back. I've even fasted for 6 whole days on that lemonade diet, and felt great...but it was short lived.

I need something realistic to my lifestyle. I can't NOT eat carbs forever or drink lemon water for lunch every day. I'm trying my best to eat lower carb and really bulk up on the veggies and protein. So far, I've ran for 3 days now, and taking today off. My goal is to run at least 4 x a week and then weight train for another day. My main goal is to lose the fat and fit into my pants again.

I've got old clothes that I wont throw away and put a moratorium on buying any new ones. It's something I think about everyday. I hope to start thinking in a positive way at least soon and not be so down on myself.

Whew. There. I said a lot and it feels good to get that off my chest.

:welcome: luckylettuce

Where to begin.......

I do not have the same story as most do. I was not overweight as a child and was picked on because of that. I had a nickname of toothpick growing up. My dad would call be buffalo butt. Because even though I was really thin I had a big butt.

In highschool I was very thin. I was on the verge of being anorexic until my mother threatened to put me in a hospital. In the tenth grade I met my daughter's dad. We had a good relationship for about a year. Then we were on again and off again for 3 years after that. I ended up getting pregnant after graduation. I weighed 120 when I got pregnant and weighed 181 when I delivered. She was a 10 pounder.

Two weeks after that I lost all of the weight without even trying. I was not an athletic person. Never was and never will be. I can remember after having her he would tell me how fat I was. So that knocked the self esteem down a little bit. Needless to say we broke things off when she was 2 months old.

Had a few bad relationships after that. I truly believe that is what kept the weight off. Then in 1998 I met the love of my life. I weighed 145 when I met him. Thought I looked good. Was very happy with my body and self image. Got very comfortable with him. After 6 yrs of living together we got married. He is the best guy I could have ever placed in my life.

So you get comfortable and you don't take care of yourself. So the weight just snuck up on me. I ended up at 191. I started taking diet pills and lost 50 pounds. Stop taking it because of the chest pains. So the weight came back.

Then I krept up to 199. That was enough for me. I started the calorie counting and just eating right. Started to excercise with my mom and dad at the Y. I am now down to 186. I quit smoking and it has been 2 months since I quit.

Now I am at a road block. I just can't get motivated. I can't get myself to the gym. I know it is my own self to blame.

But I will get there. That was a promise I made to myself. I refuse to be this person that sits around and feels sorry for herself and looks for her husband's opinion to make her feel better about it.

So as of today I will be motivated to reach my goal. At least I am going to try my hardest.

My story...

I'm 29 - almost 30. Today is my 7th wedding anniversary. I have 4 kids under 6, which is why I'm as heavy as I am.

I was thin in high school. Too thin - I ate constantly, but was very active. I graduated at about 110lbs. Maybe. My first semester at college I got up over 130lbs and started trying to actively stay around 130lbs. I'm comfortable anywhere between 120 and 130. I have a small frame but hide my pounds well.

When I got pregnant with #1 I put on over 60lbs and it all just fell off within 6 months. I assumed the rest would be the same. #2 I put on just 24lbs and it took nearly 2 years to lose. Lots of walking at a new job and calorie reduction. #3 I put on about 40lbs and when he was 8 months old I started the Curves diet. Lost all but 9lbs, when I got pregnant again.

I'm now at my highest non-pregnant weight. About 162. I'm 2 weeks post-partum, but my weight has not changed since I left the hospital. Considering that I'm nursing and burning tons of calories that way, it's pretty sad I've been unable to lose anything. Unfortunately, I'm a bit too sedentary and eat waaaay too much. I eat out of boredom.

Anyway - so, just starting out, lofty goal. And there has never been a place I fit in. Because I carry this weight okay, people constantly give me crap about being on a diet. That I don't need to. That I'm already too skinny. Things like that. Hoping I can fit in here and get the support I need! I started a blog and am trying to update it constantly just to hold myself accountable.

Hello everyone...

Let's see, I have always been 5-10lbs above what I would like to be as long as I can remember. I was always a chubby kid (hey, I loved to eat...what can I say:^:). My parents, at least since I was born, were very fitness-focused and went to the gym every day; I started going on-and-off when I was maybe 12/13 or so. I would go through bouts of eating healthy and exercising, but not long enough to lose any weight, so I would get discouraged and return to not really caring. I have always known the right things to do, but could never force myself to implement them. Overall, my appearance has always been the core of my low self-esteem; I was never truly depressed but have always been slightly insecure, which prevents me from going after what I want sometimes. This is the main reason why I want to finally commit myself to a lifestyle change that will improve my health and boost my confidence! :carrot:

Additionally, once I got to college, I gained more weight due to overeating in the dining hall and not hitting the gym outside of the required P.E. classes. I am finishing my second year of studies and planning to go abroad junior year, and I'll be darned if I leave the States in the sorry shape I'm in now! :exercise:

So that's my story so far - I hope to find support here in achieving my goal, and I am eager to support others as well! I think we all know how tough it is to take care of ourselves, no matter what size we are.

:smug:

Hi, My name's Rachel, and Im 16 years old. I dont know if anyone knows kilograms but I'm in Australia so I don't use pounds. I've always been a little tubby and I'm sick of it. People tell me I'm perfect weight but they're not the ones who see me under my school clothes. Our school graduation is coming up in 4 months and all I need is to lose about 7 kg. I've actually been trying to lose weight for 4 years now but lack of motivation is really the key.

I'm trying out the Fat Smash diet; at first I didn't know what foods were included as I don't have (but want) the book (I'm not allowed to buy off the net), and was only eating fruit and vegies and it was KILLING me. Now, however, it's fantastic that I now know we can have more than that!

I'm desperate to lose a little weight, but it's hard because I feel constantly, and I mean constantly tired. I'm seeing my doctor but he doesn't know why. Apparently I have a curve in my back perhaps its making me sleep uneasily. I constantly dream and wake up tired. I'm hoping a fitter body will lead to a better sleep.

Anyway enough rambling on,

It's nice to meet everyone. :)

Well, I was here before, and reached goal and then got pregnant and gained 55 lbs. Now I am struggling to get it off again. I am carrying all my weight in my belly, which is unhealthy and I hate it. I have two girls, 4 and 6 months, I live in Montreal and I am an early childhood educator. That's about it.
Dana

hey all, I am somewhat new here although I must say Im settling in :)

there is not much to my story ( I say that and then type a book ) ... I was always very thin all growing up I was "treated" for anorexia ( even though I wasn't it was my body not wanting to gain no matter what or how much I ate ) in 7th grade ... my 7th grade teacher passed me because of it despite me failing!.... I continued to be this way into high school in which time it started again with the anorexia harassment from everyone ..my bf's , my friends, my friends parents my teachers and guidance counselor .. I think the only one who knew and understood it was not soemthing I was doing was my mom ( because she fed me ! haha I ate like a horse and I LOVED mcdonalds as a teen ) what teen doesn't??? I met my husband at 16 turning 17 at which time I was around 89-95lbs ... he hated it he complained I looked sick and bony.. we ate fast food almost everyday and still nothing lol! ( although he regretted it getting a pooch himself ) . FINALLY at 18 turning 19 I got pregnant with our first son and at the age of 19 I finally hit 100lbs it was horrible I was so used to being thin ALL my life I cryed allt hrough my pregnancy untilla bout 5 months in when I just gave up and accepted that I was pregnant and gonig to be fat ! then 105 came then 135 then 150 then 175 you get the idea the lbs just FLEW On my entire pregnancy all I did was eat and sleep ( or lay in bed reading a book or mag) the WHOLE 9 months by the time I was in my last month of pregnancy I was 190 lbs !!!! 2 of me!!! I could barley walk or move or roll in bed or anything ... some kind of nerve got pinched off which it made it extremely painful to move my leg at all ... I couldn't lift my leg to put pants on or anything I was basically bed ridden ... depsite being very pregnant and the large belly ( my son wanted elbow room ) and the doctors telling me the nerve was being pinched off by the babies head .. I knew a lot of my torture was due to the weight I had gained.... my OB started sending me to a nutritionist and giving me a meal plan ( they feared my risk for gestational diabetes ) I had to switch to skim or 2 % milk switch from butter to margarine etc etc... eventually my son was born .. and I sat at around 175-180lbs at 19 years old.. I felt miserable physically and mentally and self worth or confidence I had dropped to 0 ( I always pictured me and my baby like the pictures in the baby magazines .. I would be skinny and vibrant and my baby would be the cutest baby in the world ! yeah right!!!) and to make matters worse I suffered extreme PPD which didn't help and my "pregnancy appetite" was not subsiding .. I continued to eat and do whatever I pleased and not think about anything I told myself " I need to sleep when baby sleeps" ( which was ALL the time lmao ) I wanted to be thin again and lose weight but told my self it would be IMPOSSIBLE.... well it wasn't apparently because 4 years later I was that mom I wanted to be .. my son was 4 cute as can be and I was 94lbs again!! wearing my size 4 I was loving it .... I would go though all my clothes in different sizes and amaze myself at the transformation ... but the thing is I do not know whathappened between 180-94 lbs because I never did anything I never dieted I never tryed to lose weight ... I ate all the same stuff ( fast food and junk and frozen meals ) the only thing that changed really is we started eating dinner in our apt more .. I was a mom now and a wife so I started learning how to cook dinner ( we knew we couldn't be teens anymore eating fast food everynight bummer! ) and my appetite finally subsided .. I was eating less times a day and less amounts .. and that was about it.... well about 3 months into my excitement of being skinny again I find out I am pregnant with #2 :lol: I told myself " NO WAY am I letting the first time repeat itself" I was gonna stay healthy and thin " well I really good , my doctor always said "perfect !! not to much not to little".... (I was 5 months in and 120 lbs not to shabby! ) but it wasn't because I was doing anything right.... my husband and I seperated with intent of divorce in my 6 month I was so incredibly bed strucken depressed I could not eat anything I couldn't do anything physically my family took turns staying with me and helping care for my 4 yr old while I layed in bed crying feeling sorry for myself and not eating .... I knew it was bad and I had to suck it up so I did .. when he was born I was a healthy 140 lbs (my husband and I called off the divorce and got back together in my last month of pregnancy.... ) I do NOT know what happened but those 4 days I was in the hospital following his birth I gained 35lbs!!!!!!!! and I don't know how because my husband I were extremely sick vomiting and such the entire 4 days I didn't keep any food down .... you figure water weight? I know some of it was my foot swelled like a ballon a few days after returning home but the rest of it stuck with me all this time minus about 15lbs of it ...
So I went into the hospital weighing 140 lbs and came out weighing 175 ..went in a size 10 came out 4 days later a size 18 ( not kidding I couldnt put my pants back on lol ) I got down to 160 eventually .. then we moved out of our apartment into our awesome house a year later and I got down to 150 .... I was 150 untill about 6 days ago ( for a year ) when I decided to FINALLY do soemthing about it for the 3rd time since he was born now I'm down to 143!! someday I hope to be 105 but even if I got back to 120 I would be very greatful! and that is my super long life story :dizzy:

Rachel, you will be annoyed at me for saying this but make sure you are careful as you are young to be on a diet. Please eat cheese or other calcium so you don't damage your bones! And maybe have a word with the family doctor to make sure you are dieting safely. I don't know what fat smash is but it sounds rather drastic.

Apart from that I wish you lots of luck. I wish I'd started eating sensibly and exercising at your age, then I wouldn't have to be on a diet now (I'm 25).

I'm new to 3fc, well sort of. I was here before a while ago, and just returned. Anyway, here's my story.

I was one of those lucky girls who never had to worry about my weight. I would eat and eat and never gain a pound. I was always around 110-115. Then I remember when I hit my 30's all of a sudden it was more like 120-125. When I was at 128 I remember thinking I would go crazy if the scale ever topped 130. Then I was diagnosed with candida (a yeast infection in my gut) and was put on a strict regimine of no sugar or yeast for 6 months. I lost 18 pounds and got back down to 110 (and a size 4) again. It was amazing how much different that 18 pounds made. I had my "young" body back again. But it was short lived. I was diagnosed with depression and was put on anti-depressant medications. That's when the weight started to pile on. Within a year I was up to 148! :( I took myself off the drugs and still couldn't lose the weight, which depressed me even more, so I went back on 'em. Last year I was determined to get my life (and my body) back, so I slowly weaned myself from the meds last summer/fall. But it wasn't until this spring that I finally got the motivation to do something about my weight. I was in a very stressful job and no motivation to change my eating habits or start an exercise routine. Then in March I started a new job and my weight loss efforts were kick-started. It's been 13 weeks and I've lost 13 pounds so far! I started at 144 and am currently at 131. My goal is 120, so I am over halfway there. :carrot:

I use a recumbent bike that hubby bought me for Christmas 3-4x/week for 48 minutes, then do about 15 minutes of strength training with some 5-8 lb. dumbbells and an ab slide. I also try to keep my calorie intake between 1200-1400/day. My weakness is red wine, so I have limited myself to only having some on weekends.

hi fellow featherweights!
 

hey everyone! I'm new here and I guess I count as a featherweight so I'll share my story here :)

In high school I was 130 at the absolute highest, and that weight was only brought on by the pounds associated with the bc pill and antidepressants. I played a bunch of sports and was always active, but that changed when I got to college and no longer had a coach telling me I needed to go run. I've slowly but steadily put on 20-30 lbs, and when I saw the scale hit 149 I immediately began a diet/exercise regimen because I refuse to let myself see 150 on the scale!!

I'm hoping to be in the mid 130s by the time classes start back up in August (I'm about to be a senior in college) and my final goal for now is around 127 or 128 . . .but when I get there we'll see if I want to go lower.

I've always had a very muscular build (it runs in the family. . my mom was a gymnast and her nickname in highschool was hercules. . .my dad's nickname was watermelon calves and was in the 2nd highest weight class for triathalons) so I understand that the scale will always show me a number a bit higher than some of my other vertically-challenged counterparts....but because of it I'm scared to bulk up (yes, my muscles WILL bulk up more than what I want them to do no matter what people say about women not having the make up for bulkiness. You should've seen my thighs from all the lunges I did in track for triple jumping!!). I'm going to focus on cardio with a little bit of circuit training with light weights and lots of reps.

As a college student, my biggest downfall is alcohol. It's going to be really hard for me to convince myself to go to the gym every day instead of primping with my roommates/sorority sisters for whatever bar/club they're going to that night :(

Anyway, I'm 4 lbs down and hopefully will be able to keep it up!

Overdue into
 

Hi Everyone! :wave:

I'm pretty new around here so I figured I'd hop on the wagon and tell my story. I'm just going to copy and paste my story from the my main introduction thread.

I was very thin up until the age of 19 (age 19 I was around 115 and toned and wouldhave described myself as very athletic), I lived in the U.S for the summer and gained about 20 lbs, when I went home I lost most of the weight, in Scotland we walk much more and I think we eat a little healthier. Anyway, I came back out to the U.S about five and a half years ago and somehow I gained about 70 lbs. I was unhappy with my weight but, never did anything about it until I saw myself in a picture with my boyfriend when he came home after an eight month deployment, I had bought a pretty dress and I didn't feel like I looked that great in it but, to my horror, when I seen the pictures of me in the dress from my boyfriends homecoming I was mortified and disgusted with myself, I felt like I looked like a beached whale! Enough was enough so that very next day I started to work out and completely changed my eating habits. I've lost 60 lbs and I have increased my self esteem, which I love. I'm just bummed I didn't take the leap sooner, I spent way too many years hiding in a tankini at the beach, avoiding social situations such a pool parties or trips to the lake house, covering up with my towel, feeling frustrated in fitting rooms, feeling ignored. I was so self conscious. I'm so thrilled to be almost at my goal though! It's taken me almost a year to lose the 60 lbs but, to my defense I did move across the country, change jobs and have numerous guests in town :P

I plan on training for a half marathon when I reach my weight loss goal.

I really enjoy this site! :D

Hello,
I posted this in another forum but today I discovered what 'Featherweights' meant LOL, and so here I am. I will repost my initial message. It is great to have such a wonderful support. See you all when I return from France in two weeks. That's when I plan to focus on my goals.
**intial message**

Hello everyone,
I have been surfing this site for a few months now on a somewhat regular basis. I am on holiday (teacher) and so I thought that this might be a good time to 'sign up'. I am 29 years old, and recently married last summer. In my past years I have bounced from being very fit and active to inactive and eating anything and everything. I have on the past year gained about 10-15 pounds. I have seen this happen to many of my friends and I am trying to do something about this before it gets too out of control.
I am not obese but do not feel great about myself. I know that some might feel like I really have no place here but i honestly would like to get healthy again and eat a whole lot better.
I eat a lot, I have no real boundaries with food. i can eat a full dinner and then another 2 dinners before bed.
I hope that i find the strength to get fit and healthy as weight health issues run in my family.
I am on Vacay for most of August (out of country) so it may be hard to start this now but at least if i make a choice I know that when my routine gets back in order *September) I have a plan.
Sorry for the rambling, maybe I should just make a blog lol

These stories are so great, very inspirational.

Of course, like any teen I thought I was fat. Looking back I wasn't at all and I'd give my right arm to have my 24" waist back!!

I went to Uni 10 years ago and put on weight due to poor food choices. I distinctly remember working in Pizza Hut for a couple of semesters. I had to provide my own uniform and bought a pair of UK size 10 black cords (see I told you I wasn't fat!). They fitted for oooooh about a fortnight when I had to go and buy the next size up. We were given free pizzas on shift and free pizzas to take home (my dorm loved me).

When I graduated I was porky. Then I discovered full time work and loads of spare cash. I spent my free time socialising - eating and drinking out.

So following Uni I put on another stone (14lbs). A holiday snap shocked me into losing weight and I went from 160lbs to 126 in just under a year. I was approached by a slimming magazine after visiting a stand at the Olympia Vitality Show (eyes left), but by that time I was 130lbs, however the photo shoot was amazing and I was very pleased with the results.

I am studying for another degree and working full time and more weight went on when I had a very stressful exam & coursework time in my life!

I am so determined to get back to 126lbs and on to target. I joined WW last week for the final (and last) push.

I suppose I can describe myself as a Yo-Yo dieter, but so far WW seems to have instilled some very good eating habits in me. I also have my picture to remind me that I can do it, because I HAVE!

Lou

I feel like I am talking to myself reading some of these posts.

I was always (according to my mom) a "solid" girl. I remember wanting to lose weight in the fourth grade - foreshadowing an eating disorder as a teenager.

Since my high school years my weight has fluctuated anywhere from 125 to 155 - stabilizing in the last three years to 140. I have two children, so of course there was the whole pregnancy weight, which actually came off quite easily.

Long story short, I am very muscular and, well, "solid". I hold my weight well as it is evenly distributed over my whole body. I simply don't like how I feel at this weight. I LOVE how trim, agile, and fit I feel at 125-130.

My dear supportive husband LOVES my body. He associates me weighing less with looking sickly b/c I when I was in the hospital about 5 years ago (in a coma - a story perhaps for another day), I came out a sickly 125. I want to be 125-130 pounds of MUSCLE, ladies!

I joined this forum b/c I need accountability. And I know nobody here will tell me "you don't NEED to lose weight" or, "have you thought that maybe this is where your body naturally wants to be?" (bless dear hubby's heart).

This is obviously where my body wants to be naturally - which means that I need to change my eating habits and activity levels to reset my "thermostat" to see change!

One more thing - I'd be interested in talking w/ anyone who has dealt w/ chronic yeast issues. Lil Misfit - how were you diagnosed? I suspect I have issues in this arena, too.

Thanks for listening!

Hello

I suffer form Candida Albicans (yeast overgrowth in the gut) every so often.

I have found that cutting out sugar, white pasta & rice and those things that seem to convert straight to sugar like cereals & bread.

I take a herbal Anti-Candi supplement, garlic capsules from my local health food shop.

I have discovered a useful site:
(removed as I haven't done enough posts! but it was a UK Candida website)

and I also have a book of 100 superfoods by Dr Van Straaten. Avocado is anti-fungal, anti-viral and anti-biotic. A real healing food, but quite heavy in cals & (mostly good) fats.

Good luck with your weight-loss mission. It's lovely having a man who thinks you are perfect the way you are, but it doesn't help the weightloss missions!

Lou

i'm new to the site. these stories are great and I think what I have been needing...some support and people that can relate to the self-loathing that results from being 20 lbs over weight. kind of ridiculous when I think about it...but i sure waste a lot of time thinking about being thinner, only to turn around and eat something that's bad for me.

I think this site will help me stick to a plan. I have gained 15 lbs in the past year...I should weigh around 130 and I'm now at 150! nothing fits. elastic is my friend.

louise: thanks for the good info. Did you bother actually getting a diagnosis for the candida, or is it something that you found out by experimentation? I know I have some sugar "issues", I am just not sure specifically what they are. I have certainly found that when I am on a healthy-eating spree (lots of veges, lean proteins, no refined foods) I lose any cravings for carbs or sweets. I just haven't been able to maintain it long enough that my chronic yeast infections cease to exist.

oh, and trishpix: welcome. I am new as well. Best wishes to you! I am convinced this sight will help me stay on track - 130, here we come!

wonderwoman34...thanks for responding. After checking out this site I was inspired to actually stick to my diet for 2 days! Yowza!!!

I had really developed this frame of mind that my 44 year old body wasn't going to lose weight. That my metabolism was slooooooowing down and this was just the way it was going to be. After reading several posts and success stories I decided to pull my head out of my denial and get with it. I sure how I've got it together this time.

somebody out there cheer me on!!!! I'll cheer back...

Hi all! I'm also Kelly, and I'm on the opposite end of college as Kellyfoo! I'll be graduating this December with a degree in Education and Human Sciences. Kellyfoo, college is not that scary, actually, I'm finding it even scarier thinking about leaving college than I found it going to college.

I hope it's okay that I've joined in with the Featherweights. I have about 20 lbs to lose, so I'm a little more than the 15 lb max, but I think that's okay? Feel free to kick me out if it's not :) I gained most of my weight in mid to late high school because my family moved from Kansas to ITALY (culture shock!) and my dad was in the very first group of soldiers deployed to Iraq. On top of that, my older sister left for college at the same time and I was left at home alone with my mom, we were both depressed by the situation and being so far away from home and family and things just got out of hand. Dinner became wine and cheese fests, we snacked all the time, etc. At my heaviest I was a little over 170 lbs (I stopped getting on the scale around 168 lbs).

I am currently at 148 lbs. I lost the initial weight just from moving into an apartment and having all my bills to pay. Groceries is the last on the list so when it comes time to buy those, there's not much left! I also only have 30 minutes for lunch, so I became addicted to the weight watchers smartones frozen meals. Not a bad thing to get addicted to! I'm trying to lose my last 20 lbs for my wedding on 10/09/09 but would like to lose about 10 for our engagement pictures which will be taken sometime before Christmas! Well, that's my story! Sorry for rambling, I'm trying to procrastinate doing something for work :D

Hey Everyone!

I'm Ally! I joined this site because I needed someone to talk to about my goals to being healthy! My entire family is (and probably never will be) concerned with eating healthy and healthy weights.

Anyway! I started my last year of college on Aug 25 and decided to make a change! I started at 140 lbs and slowly made it to 128.4 lbs (today). I'm hoping to get to 120. If I make it there well see!

I can't wait to meet everyone!
Ally

Hey trishpix, I'll cheer you on! My mum is a couple of years older than you and has recently lost a lot of weight by taking up running, she says she feels great. Good luck!

I thought I had posted here but can't find the post so I'll quickly recap. I've felt as though I was overweight since I was 11 or 12 - I now realise it probably didn't matter at that age and if I'd been more confident and hence active it might have dropped off. Sadly I decided I would always be fat, and ate accordingly.

I'm now 26 and through finding this site, and taking up running, I'm determined to change and become a similar size to other women my age. Because I'm tall and broadly built I will never look petite and girly. But I can reach a weight I feel happy with. I have a lovely boyfriend (although he is underweight - anyone have any tips on this? He eats lots, is healthy, and barely exercises but is 6 foot with about a 26" waist.)

Now I am trying to exercise every day - counting walking or running to work - and am eating more salads and less rubbish. The first 10lb were easy but now it's a struggle again. I want to be able to wear skinny jeans, or a bikini, and feel attractive in them. Any words of wisdom or encouragement would be much appreciated.