Here goes...

Hello, my name is Violet. I'm 22 and a full time college student. I haven't really lurked here. I've seen the forum before, but I guess I wasn't really ready to come in. Today, I've decided to go ahead and take that step. I've been heavy for as long as I can remember. I'm not really sure of how much weight I'm capable of losing, of keeping off or of wanting off--I've never known my body in any other form than overweight.

I am currently 288 pounds. I never imagined that I would get up to 288, not without noticing it. Boy am I ever noticing now. I'm ready to try and do something a little different for my health.

I know that you ladies have lots of support and good advice to offer and I hope that you're willing to throw some of it my way. I'm looking forward to getting started.

. . . glad that you've joined us . . . there are special areas around this great big site for almost any interest you can think of -- you might want to take a look at the Twenty-somethings group for a start. Have you decided on any particular plan of attack ? -- there are special groups for almost every popular and healthy eating plan around over in the Diet Central area. There are also special groups for avid exercisers, too.

Hey Violet welcome! I am Katerina, I am 22 as well and I am from Cyprus. This forum is very, very, motivating and if the least, the member make people feel so happy and are very supportive. What do you study, if I may ask?

Hello ladies! Thank you all for the warm welcome!

I'm really a bit nervous about getting into this. I know there are tons of diets and plans. I have NO IDEA if I should follow a plan or just excercise first. Thanks for the heads up on the 20-something group Meowee, I'll probably head over to that part of the forum now. Hi Katerina, I study English- Creative Writing. I have one semester left before graduation. I have no idea what to do next.

I think I'm going to start with excercise and portion control...

Just exercising will not move you toward your goals of being thinner and more healthy. I was under the misconception when I was in college that if I exercised more, I'd lose weight...but I didn't. I even asked my doctor about it, and she gave me a kind of blank look and said something about diet, but didn't offer anything more helpful than that. So I was in my dark until my mid-20s and marriage, before I figured out that diet is the MOST important thing for weight loss and health.

People around here say that nutrition is 75% or 80% or something of the weight-loss and maintenance battle, and I'd have to say from my own experience that this is completely true. Especially for women; while a man may be able to lose weight by exercise alone and never change his diet, there's no way most women can do that. So, figure out the diet part first, and you'll be on your way.

And welcome

Violet, welcome and good luck. You have taken the first step to success. Diet is the most important factor in weight loss. But exercise is a must. Support is very important and I am sure you will get it here.

Thanks WarMaiden and Clarac50. I know diet is a very important component, and I will make that change. I'm just not sure if I should follow one of these newer diets or just make simple changes and better choices.

A lot of the newer diets confuse me. There are almost too many guidelines for some of them. They make simple choices hard. For example, I have a huge sweet tooth, BUT I will take fruit over candy most days. However, if I were to say that I was going to replace my sweets with fruit, I'm sure I'd be breaking some huge unspoken rule about fruit on Friday morning or something completely unexpected like that. These things confuse me...I'll work through it though.

It seems that fate has made a goal of me. I weighed in at the Dr. coming in at my highest weight ever and I lamented it, but didn't make a real plan for change. That'll teach me to drag my feet. Shortly after, my car breaks down and my adviser graciously offers me use of her bicycle to get to campus. How do I get to and from the store? And what about all of those tasty snack food laden shelves? Well...who needs a store when *apparently* there is a farmer's market just a bike ride away... every week...on my day off... Ok, Ok I can take the hint...

I'd suggest you check out a "diet" such as South Beach...which is actually not a diet so much as a way of healthy eating that can be done long-term, and which will naturally lead to weight loss. In healthy diets, there are not rules so much as guidelines for health. Following a plan of that kind will teach you a lot about good nutrition, and empower you to make your own healthy choices without having to follow some strict "diet".

Each of our bodies is different, so what works for one person may not exactly work for another...Examples some people cannot eat fruit in the morning, because they find it leads to blood sugar swings and food cravings. Others are fine eating fruit in the morning. But ultimately, fruit is healthy and good (some fruits are among the most nutritious foods you can eat) and it can be worked into any reasonable diet.

When I was in college, I regularly rode my bike to the local natural foods store and purchased yummy organic veggies and fruit in season, yogurt, and everything else I needed. It was very easy to pack my groceries into my backpack and/or strap them onto the rear rack of my bike. So, be encouraged, it's probably much easier to do than you think

WOW! I studied English Literature myself! I am doing my MA now in Postcolonial Studies. I write creative writing as well. Want to trade writings sometime?

Sure Katerina. I haven't written anything in a while though. Well, everything has really been for class--so nothing creative other than a poem here and there.

Hey WarMaiden, thanks again for the info. I'll check out the Southbeach plan. If it is a healthy lifestyle change rather than a "diet," I think that I could do it. I can handle guidelines for a healthy lifestyle--they tend not to be so off-the-wall. I just don't like inflexible diet rules, especially when they don't say WHY it's a rule.

I'm actually looking forward to shopping at the farmer's market this summer. The bike that I've been loaned has a set of nice large rear baskets. We have a healthfood store, but it's quite a bit farther away and in a fairly high traffic area. Once I get used to riding a bicycle again and more familiar with the traffic pattern for that area of town, I'll think about riding there for more selection.