New and looking for support
 

I have been looking around the site and even made a few posts, but I thought I would just jump in and get started making connnections. Here's a little bit about me: I have been struggling with my weight since very early adolescence. We never had a scale in my house so I was never sure of my weight, but by the time I entered high school I was wearing a 24W pant and at graduation I had graduated to a 26W. Weight loss was very difficult for me. I was a very active kid but by the time I was 12 I was suffering from depression and the weight loss just heaped on. I have never been successful at losing weight. Most likely this was due to half-hearted attempts. I was never really serious about it. I could not envision myself in a thinner body. I had never been thin.

In November 2006 I began my first SERIOUS attempt at weight loss and I haven't looked back. For me a lot of my problems were psychological and so it took a lot of therapy for me to get to the place where I believed in myself and cared enough to do it. Now I take everyday as it comes. I have good one and really bad ones, but I don't let the bad ones ruin everything. I have ceased being an all or nothing thinker. I think this has helped me more than anything. I will also credit a friend of mine who was looking for a workout buddy. She helped me get into the gym and that is where I met my personal trainer who pushed me beyond the limits I set for myself. Over the last 15 months I have been able to lose 80lbs and over 60lbs of this was pure fat. I am a much stronger person, both physically and mentally, but I am still lacking a strong support network that really understands what I am going through and can help me through some of the embarrassing and difficult questions I may have. I think this site will really help with this.

I noticed that people seem to want to know what kind of food plan or exercise plan one is on. Food has been the most difficult part for me. Currently I just try to eat as much fresh whole foods as I can. I still indulge, but I work that into my calorie intake for the day. Exercise has become a big part of my life. I worked with a trainer for a year and then bought a bodybugg armband and subscribe to the online system that allows me to download my calories burned and enter my food. I set goals and weigh-in each week. There are online trainers and good feedback, but it seems that a lot of the people on the site are really fit and not in the place I am. Anyway, I workout 5-6 times a week. I concentrate on full-body weight training that incorporates cardio work such as the elliptical, treadmill or bike(3 times a week), dance classes, water aerobics, kickboxing, pilates and yoga round out the week. I try to mix things up to keep my body guessing. I am going to start running this spring when things warm up.

I have rambled on long enough, but I am really excited about this site and all the new people I can meet. Thanks for listening. ;)

Hey Wenny, and :wel3fc:

Have you visited our "Whole Foods Lifestyle" area yet? It might be a great fit for you.

Lots of folks think, when most people here talk about plan, they're talking about a NAMED plan...south beach, weight watchers, atkins, etc. Some people here are on those plans, and that is great and works for them. Others have made their own plans (I, for example, am a mostly-whole-foods-calorie-counter-with-exercise-and-lots-of-veggies dieter...and you won't find that in a book!). We call everything "plan", because if you PLAN to do it, you're more likely to succeed.

So head on over to the "whole foods" forum, or the "exercise" forum, and settle in. Or, just post wherever you feel comfortable.

Congratulations on your awesome losses so far, and can't wait to get to know you better!

Welcome, Wenny! :welcome3:
It sounds like you're really gaining control of your life. I know that whole "therapy" thing all too well. It's so difficult to focus on your weight when the depression is bad. :hug:
You're going to meet some wonderful people here... we're so glad to have you join us.

Ramble on ... we're glad you're here.

I don't know about the other posters but I sometimes ask about a plan to see if I can direct a new member to threads containing folks doing the same sort of thing.

Mandalinn makes a very good point. An awful lot of us kinda make up our own plan as we go. A bit from this one and a principle from that one.

Just hang in here with us. There's support enough for everyone. If there's anything you're looking for ... just ask.

Thanks Mandalinn for the tip on the Whole Foods area I will check that out. It sounds right up my alley! :D Thanks SusanB and ellis for making me feel so welcome. That is really what I needed. Some days are really a struggle and it is nice to come to a place you feel accepted no matter what. :hug:

Thanks again! :)