Yesterday it hit me. I mean really hit me. I have been overweight for most of my life except for an anoexic stint I went through in my early adolesence(I was so silly) but yesterday my boyfriend made me see just how much I have changed latley. "One of the things I liked most about you when we met was how energetic you were. Recently you seem so unhappy and I am worried." I cried for a long time because I realized that he is very correct. I have changed alot over the past two years. We were such an active couple spending everyday outside playing in the sun and snow, rock climbing, even go to the gym to work out together. I gained around 40 pouunds since then and now I am so self consious about doing anything active. I can't belive I let my body go on a vactation for so long, I want it to come back!
I guess it all came from a habit of eating too much when I am bored, or sad, or anxious. Plus, I just came back from an outward bound wilderness course where we ate the daily minimum calorie requirements for active people and the same meals weekly. When I came home after those sixty days there was the fridge to greet me and I was so hungry for all of the bad food we didn't get to have on course. I ate like it was one of my days off every day which made put on twenty pounds over christmas break leaving me where I am now at 190 pounds. I haven't gained any since then thank goodness but I haven't lost any either. This all has to stop now and I am ready to change afew things about the way I live.
I am in school to be an adventure educator and right now I am so out of shape I avoid doing things that I used to love doing and am also required to do for my potential career like backpacking, rock climbing, and sea kayaking. I feel like nobody will take me seriously in my field if the chubby trip leader gets winded walking up a hill. So starrting today which has gone awsome so far I am going to try changing those bad eating habits and excersise avoidance that I have gotten so used to. I feel like talking to people trying to accomplish the same thing as me will help me get to a happy point in my life. Can't wait to chat!

Welcome! This place is wonderful for support, it's helped me stay on track for 2 months now, normally I quit after 5 days. You can do it as long as you keep on going. If you hit a wall, don't give up. Good-luck with your weight loss journey.

Welcome, vintageivy! Much of what you say sounds all too familiar -- I want my body and the "old me" back too. (Actually I'm hoping to kinda get a younger me back, but you know what I mean : )
You'll find lots of advice and support here -- keep us posted about what you decide. Your major and future career sound completely cool -- when do you graduate, and when can we sign up to go on a trip with you? : )
anita

Oh, you sound so much like me! The past two years I've put on 30 pounds and my normal active life has taken a hiatus because I'm too embarrassed to leave the house. So, go us for taking that first step!