[fullhearts]

Hi everyone! This is my first post here. I'm kind of nervous about this because I feel like I've done nothing but try to lose weight since January 1st, and here it is July and I'm really no smaller. I am really great at starting diets but I fail at sticking to them.

My name is Katie and I'm 24 (I'll be 25 next month). I'm 5'8" and currently about 206 pounds. I've been struggling with my weight for 15 years now. I got to my highest weight (230) when I was 18, and from 18-21 I was pretty committed to losing weight. I actually got down to about 178. And then I moved out of state by myself for a while, and I managed to balloon up again -- whether it was out of loneliness, boredom, or new surrounding filled with food, I'm not sure. But for the last three years I've pretty much been stuck on a plateau. And I really want to change!

I hate taking pictures. I don't like what I see. My weight holds me back from doing a lot of things. I haven't dated in years because I just feel so gross about myself. It's just no way to live. At this point, it's like, which would I prefer? Ben & Jerry's or a relationship?

I do have a gym membership but I've really been slacking with going there. And I work with food so I'm surrounded by it all day long (and I can eat anything I want for free). This is definitely hard and one of the reasons I'm considering quitting soon.

I don't mean to ramble, but I guess I had a lot to get out. I'd eventually like to get down to about 150 pounds. I can't even imagine what I'd look like at that weight -- I think I was about 165 when I started high school at 14. Anyway, I joined this because seeing other people going through the same thing as me is really helpful and definitely motivates me. I think it will help me take accountability for myself. I'm looking forward to meeting all of you.

[BIG B00TY]

Hi Katie, Welcome. I should have started much much sooner than i did, but now is the time for us! Good luck to you!

[fullhearts]

Thank you! And good luck to you too... 24 pounds is amazing.

[andreaphilip3]

hi katie, welcome! i just sent you a PM b/c im in the same boat as you&would love for us to buddy up!

[Leenie]

Katie

We're glad your here. Do you have a plan, calorie counting, weight watchers, low carb, whole foods ? what ever you decide we have a board for it. The ladies here are the BEST!! There's lots of knowledge, support and love here so surf and have fun.

Leenie

[skinnybeach]

i highly encourage you to check out the 20s support forum as well! Good luck!

[KantuKat]

hi Katie,
I love your screenname--fullhearts! I just joined the group today and you are the first person I am writing to. I can relate to much of what you write, esp. the emotional eating. I would always scoff when someone would mention boredom for example as a reason for over or mindless eating, but the more I looked at my eating habits I realized I did it...a lot. I weigh 187 now and want to lose fifty pounds. I am 34 and am tired, as you also wrote, of avoiding photos or shopping for, what I like to refer to as, "camoflague." (sp?) Anyway, you have made a huge move by reaching out for support. We both have. Welcome!!!

[SunshineCA]

Welcome Katie!