Hi everyone, I'm Shay!

Its been quite some time since I've truly signed on to start dieting but am looking forward to starting the volumetrics diet after I receive my books (should be here in 2 days!). About me? Well I'm 25, originally from Syracuse, New York but have been transplanted and living in Georgia for the last 21 years. Basically I have the thoughts of a fast talking New Yorker with a slight southern drawl.

I'm currently planning my own wedding which is in February 2009. I'm not dieting entirely to look good on my wedding day (I've actually already got a dress that fits me amazingly) Although its definetly a little more of a boost. The main reason I'm here and starting to turn over a new leaf is that I'm truly concerned about my health. Here I am at 25 with high blood pressure, hip bursitis and back problems. Not to mention diabetes and heart problems run in my family. Also I'm alot less happy mentally than I used to be.

I do have a reason for that though. About 2 years ago I lost 60 lbs and went down to the smallest I've been since the 6th grade. A slim (for me) 145. Albeit was due to the fact that my company at the time was on a major health kick and got a select group of people a personal trainer for almost a year. Alas though I cannot afford a personal trainer on my own and have ballooned up to even more than I was before I started with the trainer. That does not put the most pleasant self esteem thoughts in anyone's head. Weight has always been a struggle for me. I suppose I grew up with the mentality of "Clean your plate..there are starving kids in *insert country here*" so I have a VERY hard time controlling my portions.

To add insult to injury my fiancee is slim, tall and can eat a whole gallon of ice cream without putting on a pound. Whereas I eat a tic-tac and I've gained 7 lbs!

Anyways thats my story and I look forward to going through this with everyone.

Hi Shay! If you are sagging the floor then i would probably bust right through it! YIKES! Anyway welcome!!

Hey Shayrar -

First and foremost, congratulations on your engagement. And prepare to pay many hundreds to get that dress taken in!

OK, so before you had a trainer. That's awesome, even if you can't see the trainer now, because you've already learned some things...you have that whole wealth of knowledge to work from! So use that. Establish yourself a workout routine, find a good eating plan you can stick with for life, and move onward and upward.

Your health will thank you for it (and the wedding photos will be a very happy bonus).

We have a Brides to Be thread in Support Groups - check it out!

Welcome Shay and good luck!

Thanks everyone for your posts! I'm glad to be here! Mandalinn thank you so very much for the link to the brides to be post. That was awesome!

Shay

Oh boy a wedding, congratulations. Looking at your avitar your gonna be a BEAUTIFUL bride, your future dh is very lucky (make sure you tell him I said that ).

Well girlie, surf these awesome boards and find a home or two the support here is the best.

Leenie

Thanks Leenie for the wonderful compliments!! I'll make sure I tell my future DH that he's a lucky man!