Hi all--
I can't imagine how many new people are here because of the article in the current Oprah magazine, but I'm one of them. I turned 60 in September and find myself, at 5"1", just under 230 pounds. Needless to say, my cholesterol, etc. are all way too high and the doctor says I am "borderline" diabetic. I have been overweight most of my life; have not exactly yo-yo'd constantly,but have had my ups and downs--mostly ups. (Sad thing is, even when I looked decent I still thought I was too fat--that's America I guess).
The thing is, not it is not just an issue of vanity; at my age it is a real health issue and even now I have trouble getting motivated. There are so many things in my life that I have made a mess of but have been able to "clean up;" however, that is not going to be true of a heart attack or stroke. I also tend to take very slow steps to accomplish things...but I am dismayed that even "sitting on a time bomb," as one person put it, I cannot get truly, truly serious about diet and exercise.
I can report some small steps in the past few weeks, and they are steps in the right direction, but why can't I just charge full steam ahead for once in my life? I DO want to be around to see some grandchildren...and all kinds of other things.
So, what I have done is (1)kicked a mortifying but longstanding habit of downing a pint of Ben and Jerry's or other premium ice cream daily, and now substitute non-fat, no sugar added ice creams...still should be cutting down on quantity, but just this one step has drastically reduced calories, fat, cholesterol, and sugar; (2)am eating more fruits and vegetables, which were almost non-existent in my diet, except for my morning o.j.; (3) got the key to the exercise room at my apt. (but have not yet actually used it; at least I have it now, though; I had lost my original and it took me long enough to replace it.
Bottom line, I guess, is what I can use most from the people in this community is MOTIVATION!!!...since I am woefully unable to supply it myself. And, of course, I will do my best to offer all the support I can to others; that I am pretty good at!
Looking forward to working with you all (and figuring out some of the tricks of posting, etc)
MargieW

Hi MARGIE and . You have taken a wonderful first step on the long winding road to better health and fitness by coming to 3 FC. This is a wonderful place for support. You will be welcomed with a great big wherever you may decide to land on the boards.

I'm a little older than you and little heavier too . . . and I know far more about Type II Diabetes than I wish I had too. I was diagnosed well over 15 years ago and wish I had known then what I've learned now.

Just thought you would like to know that we have an active forum called 'DIETING WITH OBSTACLES' http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=14 and a sub-forum of that, called 'DIABETES SUPPORT' http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=203 . You might like to pop over and say hello . . . it can really help to chat with people who understand the difficulties you are facing on this journey.

Anyway, girl . . . you have a great moving and shaking kind of evening . . . hope to see you again soon.

Welcome to a rock solid group of dedicated and caring individuals! I have been a member of this site for years, and have not found anything as supportive, informational or consistent. Check our our forum under 'support groups' called Movers and Losers. We are a smaller group of women around your age that have been sharing together for many years now. Lots of luck in your pursuit of better health by making better choices, one at a time!

Sounds like you've already made a great start! Welcome! We're here for your motivation!!

What you will probably learn here is that those of us who are here for the long run have decided that there is no diet. This is a lifestyle change.

Poke your nose here and there in the forum and join in where you feel comfortable. We're all nice!!! Best of luck to you in your journey.

Welcome Margie! I think you will find that this is a great place to come for motivation. For myself, I'm not the biggest poster here, I don't always have the time I would like, but I surf the latest posts pretty regularly, and I do jump into the threads that I find interesting. And when I am feeling like I need a little boost, this community always has something inspirational to read. Not to mention that perusing the before and after photos is about as motivational as it can get. I'm not to the point where I am ready to post an after picture myself, but I love seeing them, and thanks to the support here, I do believe that I will post my own sooner rather than later.

Hi Margie!

Please don't beat yourself up over the idea of not charging "full steam ahead." I think your "small steps" are just the way to go! Full steam ahead implies drastic, sudden changes to me and those are usually the hardest for people to sustain over time. You're not gonna get shot out of a cannon and land at your goal weight. It's gonna take those small steps to get you where you want to be.
I started that way in the new year, altering some of my food choices...decreasing portions, substituting lower-calorie choices. I haven't totally given up things I liked, just modified...for instance, using lo-cal bread, using one slice of lo-fat swiss cheese instead of two, I've rediscovered turkey sandwiches, lol (25 cal slice, 80 cal bread, lettuce and lo-cal mayo), eating more Lean Cuisine, Healthy Choice, etc. And since I love my salty snacks, I've stopped with my cans of Pringles and gotten lower-calorie, takes-longer-to-eat pretzels and those 100-calorie packs instead. It's funny...I could go through a can of Pringles in a day but I will not eat more than 1 or 2 of those little packs (I'm particuarly fond of the Cheez Nips, lol) in a day, not even at the same time. I've also eaten more fruits and veggies. It's not everybody's menu choice, lol, but I did drop 10 pounds in January, basically doing that and exercising a little more..even if it's just 10 minute bursts a couple of times a day at this point, anything from using my exercise machine, to indoor walking to jogging inside my house to putting on some music and shaking my booty.
I think you're on the right path taking the small steps first, making the adjustments you can now and seeing what else you can do as you go along. This month I bought myself a pedometer as a sort of mini-motivator, to get myself walking more, to get that little meter's count rising, even if that includes walking/jogging through the rooms of my house. Try not to think so much about your goal weight in the distance; break it down to steps just like you're doing with the food...5 pounds, 10 pounds, even 1 pound at a time. For me, I'm trying to keep my mind focused not so much on losing 62 pounds but 10 pounds 6 times. I've done it once, now I have to do it 5 more times!

Hi all -- new here too. My screenname says it all. I'm 52 and been overweight my whole adult life. I'm getting married next week and feel like I'm the heaviest I've ever been. I've enjoyed reading posts this evening.
I hope to be around regularly and give as well as receive. Thanks in advance
for your support!

Oh, sweetie--I know it's hard, but try to stop thinking of yourself as "fatbride" and remember that you are someone's beloved bride...that you have found someone who loves you just the way you are and whom you love as well. And remember that all those beautiful wedding magazine pictures require a whole staff of hairdressers, make-up artists, photographers (and photography tricks) to achieve. Please enjoy your own wedding!!!

Thanks to all who responded wit such positive support and welcoming remarks. I'll try to check in once a day, but I must admit the site is a bit overwhelming and I'm not sure where I'll find myself next!
I do have a question: I created one of those little progress markers for the end of a post, but I do not really understand how to add it. Anyone care to send simple instructions?

Hi Margie! Welcome to 3FC!!

Don't feel overwhelmed. You need to find some time to look around and see where you feel comfortable, that's all. There are some parts of the forum that I rarely visit and that's okay--it is for EVERYONE and that is what makes it special.

Unfortunately, there are no simple instructions. Everyone is different and nothing works for everyone. You may need to do some trial and error before you find your "fit." Stay with it. You'll find what works for you soon enough.

Welcome!!
When you make a ticker you should see a box of text with [url]s around it. Copy this text and click on "User CP" up at the purple bar on the top. Click edit signature on the left, and paste this in your signature then hit save