[Major]

Hi guys! I've been lurking around for quite a while, and finally decided to create an account. You all seem like such an amazing group of people; I could really use some of your enthusiasm and inspiration in my life and weight loss journey.

I'm 16, and have been fighting obesity the majority of my life.
I'm currently 295 pounds. Yikes!, I know. Not too long ago I was weighing in around the mid 300's, so this is a more reassuring change for the better.
I'm 5'7 (estimated), and suffer from severe Depression and Anxiety. Although I am not using this as a scapegoat, I can tell you that Depression and Anxiety do interfere in not only your daily life, but your weight loss.

I'm a crave, comfort and bored eater.
I did not realize I was this way until a few years ago (mainly because I never cared to notice). I also am not very physical; running 5 miles a day doesn't interest me.. although I do wish I could run a minute or two without becoming completely winded and having sore knees for the rest of the day.

Though they only meant well, to my family and friends I was always the "girl with the pretty face", but would be much more beautiful if she lost weight. I think that's one thing that hurt me the most. Not only do I bear the scars of stretch marks, but I wear some on the sleeves of my soul.

I've struggled with dieting, but I've had many sucesses as well. My family is and has been supportive throughout all of my dieting endeavors, but I always seem to find a way to slip back into bad habits.
I'll blame it on the rebel in me.

So, I've decided not to look at this as a diet. In fact, I'm not going to diet at all. My goal isn't just to lose weight, but to change my life. To gain self-confidence, self-worth, stamina, and a shipload of good friends along the way.

I look forward to learning about you all, and your dieting successes (and supporting you through your setbacks should they come along) as I hope you will for me! Although I may not be the most experienced, I hope to pass on some of my wisdom as well.

My weight has been an idling factor in my life. I let it control my past, present and future - but not anymore.

[alinnell]

You're very articulate for a 16 year old (and I should know because I have a 16 yo DD!). You know what you want. You seem to know how to attain it but seem to have difficulty keeping it.

Here are some tips: when bored, do something, anything except eat. Take a walk around the block, read a magazine, do something. Make that something last 20 minutes. The whole time you are doing that something, think about why you don't need to eat just because you are bored.

If you really want to be able to run for 1 minute without becoming completely winded and having sore knees, start by running 15 seconds. Then walk 5 minutes, then another 15 seconds. Do this for a few days and then up the running to 20-25 seconds. Start slow--a total walk/run of 15 minutes. Increase the duration of your walk/runs a few minutes each week and increase the running intervals a few seconds at the same time. Before you know it, you'll be running 5 minutes in a 30 minute walk! Believe me, it is possible--I am running 2 8 minute intervals in a 30 minute walk and I feel great (and I'm 44 and NEVER ran in my entire life).

Keep a food journal. Write down every morsel that you eat AND record how you felt while eating and after eating. Review the feelings weekly. Highlight good feelings in one color and bad feelings in another color. Avoid eating when you are having bad feelings.

I wish you luck!

[iDream]

Hello fellow Newbie! I just wanted to say congratulations for making this decision! I too suffer from depression/anxiety issues and yeah, it messes with your life in a lot of ways.

You sound wise beyond your years and you have a great future ahead of you with the positive outlook you seem to have!

You can achieve anything so long as you believe it! And I believe you believe it!

[ShyShy19]

I agree with everything Allennell said.

Hon, you are young (like me im 20) and now is the BEST time for you to take control of your life.
Don't wait any longer it will only get harder.
I've only been over weight for 2 years so I can't relate when it comes to being overweight the majority of my life but in the years I have been over weight it has changed EVERYTHING, all the sudden any self worth I had went down the toilet and I now have a severe anxiety problem, Im convinced now that the weight gain and lack of confidense in myself is what started these problems. That's why now I will lose the weight, not only for my physiacl look but for my mental health.
YOU CAN DO IT.
If I would have believed in myself a year ago, I wouldn't still be sitting on this board.
Why dont ya come on over to the Christmas challenge, we're all trying to lose between 17 and 25 lbs before christmas and we're a group of girls that are going to motivate eachother all the way.
I think it would be good for you to have someone right there with ya everyday reminding you why you're doing this and just motivating you.
I know thats what I need all the time, it's hard doing it alone.
I'm rambling so good luck, keep your chin up and get PISSED, don't let the fat keep your life anymore.

[Ladiibbug]

Hi Major! *waves*

Congrats on your weight loss to date! Feels good, doesn't it?

May I share a few things that have helped me get my weight loss underway, after years of hiding my head in the sand?

ITA with the "it's not a diet, it's a healthy lifestyle/healthly eating new leaf! This puts a more positive outlook on things from the get-go, I think.

You are years ahead of the game ... you are so smart to take control of your health at your age. I'm 51 (EEK!), and ignored weight loss until it began to affect my health.

www.fitday.com has helped me alot! Free, quick & easy, you enter each food you eat and it keeps track of calories by day, & breaks 'em down by category (fat cal's, carbs, protein). You can keep a private journal too if you wish.

As far as you not being able to run, if you've been inactive, you should probably begin with walking. Then increase that timewise and speedwise before you proceed to running. Even if at first you can only walk a block - hey, that's a GREAT start!

I've found that walking 4 x a week has lifted my spirits and given me energy I didn't know I had! So hopefully you'll find exercise and just moving more will help with your depression and anxiety. Sympathies to you ... I've experienced those challenges and it's tough.

I LOVE to eat ... and since 7/1 and finding 3FC I've discovered foods I *can* eat which are fat free or low fat, that satisfy the salt/crunch, sweet monster, and comfort food category that are actually healthy :brocolli: So surf around 3FC, post, and find what you CAN enjoy for snacks!

Like someone else mentioned, there are lots of support groups here, all will welcome you as a newbie! I'm a member of Hot & Healthy Chicks Challenge (in Misc. Groups) if you'd care to check us out!

Good luck! You are already on your way to living healthier ... for YOU!