Hi everyone,
I stepped on the scale this morning and saw the digits for the first time, in digital red. 180. Party's over! This is really discouraging because 7 years ago I was actually a competitive bodybuilder. I had a six pack and veins on my stomach at 135 lbs. Now I'm bursting out of my size 14's with no end in sight. Two rounds of prednesone over the summer did not help. The knowledge on how to do this is already in my head - but my will power sucks. It's embarrassing because I used to be a personal trainer and know tons about exercise and nutrition. I thought maybe if I came here I could keep myself accountable. What do all of you do when your boyfriend/girlfriend eats garbage and constantly presents you with bad food? That's one of my biggest challenges. Anyway, here I am!

!!! Hey maybe we all should be asking you for tips!

One of the best things I ever did was to enlist the help of my fiance. When I told him what I was doing, I simply asked that if he was going to buy something that he keep it out of my face so I wouldn't be tempted. He's a very helpful guy, so he ended up doing even more! When we have dinner together we look together for healthier foods, adding in vegetables and lighter proteins. Besides, when I do well I have someone I can brag to forever & ever and he never gets sick of it ^^ (Or at least so he says... )

You have the knowledge. (And knowing is half the battle!) Perhaps a little challenge? Get in all your water for the week? Get in a few walks?

Or maybe you need to remember why you want to do this. Write down what it is you want to gain by losing (and not just numbers). Maybe looking at it written down in your own writing will help.

You CAN do this!!! All the best of luck to you ~

Bouddica - you learn to repeat "No thank you". Clearly, and as often as you need to. And if boyfriend/girlfriend does not get the hint, you say "I know you're offering me food because you love me, but right now, I need to focus on cutting down on treats because I want to work on being healthier. I'd appreciate it if you stopped bringing these things home for now".

We have VERY difference experiences (I was never fit before now, you've obviously been there before), but the great thing about 3FC is that we have all kinds of folks here. Given your background, you DO know what to do. So are you ready to do it? Once you make that decision, and lock it in as non-negotiable, making the changes you need to make will be easier.

Can't wait to get to know you better!

Thanks for the encouragement. I was actually considering Medifast to get rid of the guesswork and cooking, but I wonder if the calories are too low since I'm still pretty active. I do karate 2-3 days a week (intense), lift weights 2-3 days a week (moderate), and run at least once. Maybe if I did Medifast but added my own extra protein shake before bed?
Will power is the big issue. I love exercising, but I love eating too. That switch that tells me when I'm supposed to be full - it's broken. And the switch that says hungry is on all the time! Definite sugar addict.
I got poison ivy wicked bad - twice - last summer and the prednesone added 10 pounds almost instantly. I'm 36 now and it just doesn't come off as easily as it used to. I'm not recovering from my weight training workouts as easily either. A light leg day last week left me near crippled for days. Getting old sucks.
Anyhow, getting to the site has been challenging with everything, but you guys are great. I'll make the extra effort to keep checking in.