Hello to the great unknown in cyber space. I am not really sure who is out there, but I really do hope that someone reads this. I am new to this site, but I have looked at it before. I am trying to stay postive in the battle to lose weight.

I am 26 years old. I think my first diet occured at the age of about 10 or 11. I am on the taller side (About 5'10") and growing up I was always the tallest and fattest kid (let alone girl) in my class. I come from a family of heavy people, so being a fat kid never really phased them. It bothers me.

Currently I weigh in at 281, my high weight. Hitting this weight brings me here.

Although I have been dieting for 15 years, for the most part it has been an extended series of lose 10-20 lbs gain it back +10. I was successful, remotely only once. In college due to high stress, insane schedules, rediculious exercise, eating once a day (Maybe), and even a few diet pills I went from 281 lbs to 200 in about 3 or 4 months. I was miserable, sick, and out of control. After spending Christmas at home, I changed back to old habits.

Here I am 5 years later, right back to where i was. 281lbs and miserable. My clothes don't fit, I am tiered of being the fattest person in the room, I hate feeling winded going up the stairs.

As of Monday 4/28/08 I am getting it together. Small goals at a time, hopefully will bring big changes.

I hope to hear your wisdom, your guidance and most importantly a little bit about you.

Hey there Penquin



Fabulous that you want to get it together! My first piece of advice? Stop dieting.

"Diets" are those quick fixes, those unsustainable programs that we follow for a little while... maybe even drop a few pounds, but then suddenly, we drop the program, we get tired of it, we go back to old ways and ta da! we're right back where we started.

How about this time make a commitment to changing one small thing & sticking with it? One thing at a time. Small goals, like you said. Small, permanent changes.

"Permanent" doesn't mean no mistakes... or no slip-ups, but rather that we're changing our 'normal'. My old normal was eating without thinking whenever & whatever, often when I wasn't actually hungry. My new normal is paying attention to what goes into my mouth, eating better (healthier & frankly, tastier) foods, and exercising every day.

It's a difficult thing to erase old habits & draw new ones. That's what I love about 3FC. Everyone here is trying to do the same. They have the same struggles & questions. And everyone is interested in others' successes! We really want eachother to make it, to change and lose weight!

Have a look around, post where you're comfortable. You can do this!

Best of success!

Hi, I also am knew here and want to say hello. Congrats on making the decission to change your life. I also have made that decission today alone. I really don't know how or where I am going to start but I just wanted you to know you are not alone in this feeling and were all in it together. I hope you find lots of useful info. goodluck to you

hi Penguin -- welcome. Making the decision to "do it" is huge, and this forum is really helpful. I hear you about the stress and schedule thing; busy times of the semester (midterm and end of term) are the hardest for me, and I've been "in school" one way or another for many years now. Browse around and find forums that "feel right" and match the kinds of food/exercise changes you want to make; there's lots of good advice and support here. Vent, rant, celebrate -- we do it all together : )

Hey, OB2, I'm just east of you, near So Pines! Welcome to you too.

Thanks for all the encouragment. It can be rather challenging. I have had 3 really great days in a row. I am really hoping to get through this week. It was probably not the best week to start. It is the end of the semester for me (grad school) which means several papers (which i am procrastinating with by posting here I am also a teacher, and my kids have testing next week which means this week is a crazy cram session. But I figure hey, if I can do this now, I can do it always!

Hope everyone is well