Hello everyone. I'm a bit discouraged starting this weight loss journey all over again. I know I'm only 21 but i've tried to lose weight countless numbers of times and never followed through every single time. I'd do it for maybe a week or two but then that was it. I really want to lose this weight once and for all so badly an I see everyone so successful and I feel like I'm less than everyone else. It sucks to feel this way but I feel stuck at this weight my whole life. I see other people making massive changes and I feel that won't ever happen to me. Logically I know I CAN do it and I know its possible. I just feel like all faith in myself has been wasted from half-assed past efforts Any advice? thank you so much

Well, to be perfectly honest, the only one who can really make this time different is 'lil ol' you

But, I can tell you you can do it. I know before I got a grip and actually joined 3FC, I spent some time lurking, reading posts about things that were working for other people and rolling my eyes thinking to myself "how nice for them, but that won't work for me" Imagine my surprise when I stopped moping around and actually gave some of their suggestions a try - and they WORKED!

You do have to truly make a commitment to a different way of eating than whatever it is that's gotten you here; and you have to pick something that you can see yourself doing long term. Doesn't mean you have to do it all at once - maybe approach this like you would if you were doing a project for school or work - do some research before you leap into a plan. Have some contingencies and be prepared to make changes if you find something isn't working. If you try something that doesn't work, you didn't fail, you just had a learning experience. I've had many a learning experience since I got started

Don't be afraid to ask questions here - There are some things that are fairly widly agreed on but everyone has different body chemistry, metabolic rates, etc. so you'll usually get several answers from different points of view so you can weigh them and see what seems to make the most sense to you.

Good Luck!!

I have absolutely been where you are at now! In fact it wasn't that long ago, I just started my journey last month.

To start with you have to get your head right, ie you have to change the way you think. My only health issue is that I am over weight, but I like to do some very physical stuff which my weight makes hard on me. It became clear to me that all roads lead back to my weight. So I decided to make my life easier I was going to have to lose weight.

I tell myself every day that:

"I want to lose weight"
"I am 100% committed to losing weight"
"I am exited to start this journey!"

I decided that there was no expense that I could spare, and no distance far enough. I'm talking my health here, and what is more important to me than that?

I use to say:
"I need to lose weight"
"I have to lose weight"

^For me these two thoughts were the killer of any ambition I had.

From there since I have decided this is something I *want* to do, and not something I *have* to do and this has made all the difference for me.

Good Luck!

Hey i am 21 too! We can do it! Look at your past attempts and see where you went wrong. Maybe you tried to do too much at once? That was my problem in the past. Now I am making one change a week and its working, rather than just trying to exercise more, cut out junk, drink more water etc all in one go

I've been dieting, gaining, losing, whatever you want to call it for about 40 years. Last year I finally got it right. What was different this time?

You have to accept, in your head, that you are making permanent lifestyle changes that will result in better health physically, mentally and emotionally.

You're 21 years old. This can be the start of a life for you where you are strong, fit, and healthy. I think it's so great that you want to do this now!

Look for anything healthy that works for you. Change whatever isn't working after a couple of months. Try new stuff (I hired a personal trainer for 8 sessions and was amazed at the difference strength training made to my 51 year old body in such a short time).

There is a ton of info on this site and many, many friendly people who can answer questions, give you a shoulder or a hug, and offer suggestions. You already have a couple of good ones in this thread.

You will never feel that you are alone and can't cope as long as you have 3FC. Go for it girl!

Dagmar

I think it really helps to get yourself out of the mindset that you yo yo about. Look at this as a life change...the beginning of a healthy you. Realize that its to achievable, and that you Can do it

Iconised Ghost is right. I've attempted to lose weight many times in the past. By looking at all of the things I did wrong, I have a better handle with my dieting than I've ever had.

I am going to echo some of what others have said, plus add a few thoughts of my own.

FIRST...accept who you are right now at the weight you are at the size you are RIGHT NOW. Just a few weeks before I started this journey I said to myself...Stop hating yourself and they way you look. I listed off my good qualities and really decided I was a good person, the extra weight just made a BIG good person.

Second...know that the changes you will be making MUST last a lifetime if you want to not only lose the wieght but keep it off. I don't know anyone who has said, "Yep I am gonna work my butt off and lose all this weight, but if I gain it back it is ok." But many times I have heard people say...."OH I can't weight until I am off this stupid diet and can eat what I want." Even I said that. Actually there is NO DIFFERENCE in the two statements. So pick a plan you can live with the rest of your life. Which will rule out most fad diets.

Third...Add exercise!!! It speeds the metabolism, boosts your energy, tones your body. BUT...again do what you can commit to doing the rest of your life.

Fourth...Keep your plan clear and realistic. Get exercise is pretty vague. Exercise for 2 hours a day every day is unrealistic. Life happens and you gotta live it. You don't wanna set yourself up to get burned out r the exercise becomes a burden. Something like I will exercise 45 minutes 5 days a week is much more doable and allows flexibility.

Fifth...Believe in yourself!!! You can do this!! We are here to help, support and encourage you!!

Wow thank you guys so much. Reading everyones comments and all the enthusiasm is so inspiring and helps me to understand how this is mostly a state of mind I want to change. Not only do I have to make my body healthy but my mind as well

I don't know anyone who has said, "Yep I am gonna work my butt off and lose all this weight, but if I gain it back it is ok." But many times I have heard people say...."Oh I can't wait until I am off this stupid diet and can eat what I want." Even I said that. Actually there is NO DIFFERENCE in the two statements.

I'm taking this out of Kate's statement above and highlighting it because it's so fantastic it deserves special mention!!

Read and re-read!!

Actually, I'm one of those people. I can't stay on a diet for more than 3.5 weeks. MAX!... When I figured out that wasnt going to change, I did my diet and when I felt like I was going to break, I stopped dieting. But I mantained the healthy habits I had learned. I've done this 3 or 4 times in a timeframe of 4 years, I think. Have lost almost 40lbs and have NEVER dieted for more than 4 weeks running.
So there you go, even if you dont manage to stay on a diet for months, you can always do as much as you feel capable of and then go into maintance mode and then, when you feel comfortable again, diet. It has worked for me!best of luck finding something that works for you!
-Lo

Welcome and good luck! You are wise to get started now, while you are young. It only gets harder as you get older. I , like many others have started over many times. You can be a successful dieter and make this your last diet. But remember it is not a diet but a lifestyle change.It is worth it when you reach goal you will feel so great and look great, too.