Newbie/needs MAJOR help with will power (thanks!!) ;)
 

HEY EVERYONE!!! my name is Liz. Earlier 2day i registered as an official member on 3fatchicks.com, but i have been a frequent visitor to the website for a few years, as I have felt it is a very useful website for nutritional information and diet support. The fast food nutrition calculator is probably my favorite tool on this website. (yet, in a way my least...if u know what i mean;) ;) ) Additionally, reading some of the success stories are TRUELY inspirational for me. That is why I am here. My dieting habits seem to last about 2 weeks, and then I go back to my usual ways of eating excessive amounts of unhealthy (but AMAZING tasting:) ) food. I feel as though there are many people here who are both excellent givers and recievers of very helpful information/advice about weight loss or weight maintenance. I DEFINATELY need help with both. I am a freshman in college, and I am yet another victim of the "freshman 15" so to say. I would not consider myself fat, but my diet habits have DEFINATELY changed for the worse, and i would like to reverse the process, for health reasons in the future. It is not only 15 pounds that I have gained, but last december, I was actually 30 pounds lighter. Yes, i gained 30 pounds in one year. (YIKES). But it is because I let myself eat whatever I want, whenever I wanted it. Going into my sophomore in high school, I actually lost a successful 25 lbs on Weight Watchers, and I maintained that weight for 2 years!!! I will let you know though, losing weight certainly was the most challenging thing that I have ever done. Teenagers eat. That's just what they do. Going out with my friends and getting a salad while they enjoyed milkshakes or cakes was ROUGH. But once I realized my body was slimming down, I felt SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO good about myself. I felt good about myself, and my self esteem was the highest that it ever was. I felt in control of my life (if that makes any sense), and I was proud of what I was accomplishing. I remember the day (November 1st 2003 to be exact lol) when I stepped on the scale and my weight was actually 2.5 lbs below my goal weight!!! It was such a fulfilling feeling. I just felt so accomplished. Maintenence on weight watchers also was working for me too!!! I found that I could eat watever I want from Friday night through Sunday if I kept track of my points on Monday through Friday. (In other words, have my few treats, then burn them off during the week:carrot: ) It was an excellent system. Then holiday season '05 rolled around, and I spun out of control for some reason. I think it was the stress of college applications, and the harder academics in school. Ok, I'll admit, I had some teenage "boy drama" as well. so naturally, I turned to food. :( I couldn't get back on my healthy habits. Although I have tried about 2 or 3 times throughout this year, I could only seem to do WW for 9 days at the most. So my question is "WHERE DID MY WILL POWER GO!!??" I know I have it in me to lose weight. I've done it before, and I want to do it again. Clearly though, I need some help this time, and that is why I am here. I feel that there are some really great people in this community who can provide love and support for me on my 2007 new year's resolution. I have gained all of the ugly weight back and more, and I am now heavier than I have ever been. I lack the confidence that I once had and loved. It is a feeling I hope EVERYONE in this forum can experience!!! :D :D :D and a feeling I would LOVE to once again have with you all as well.

Welcome. I feel your pain on the Freshman 15 (I'm a second year in the UK). I've managed to get all my first year weight off (phew!) though so it is very possible. I know somebody who put on 28lbs during in Freshman year so you're not the only one to go over. I also know what you mean with stress eating. UCAS applications for uni cost me some weight damage too. :(

Thank you so much for responding!!! ;) yes, it is SO frustrating gaining weight. Trying to do weight watchers at school is REALLY hard because the dining hall options are so limited. Everything seems to be made with a pile of butter or other ingredients that are a waste of points. As i said in my first post, i did it for 9 days and i got so bored with what i was eating that i gave up. It was better doing it at home when i was a sophomore because I at least had the availability of my own oven and stove, which i do not have at school. :'( Not having a car to make grocery store runs to buy fresh fruit is frustrating too. I hope once 2007 rolls around though I can find more ways to still be healthy but have more variety!! YIKES ;)