Hello! My name is Sarah and I've been on and off the weight loss wagon for most of my life. I have a lot of problems that I'm sure will sound familiar, I'm an emotional eater (I eat when I'm sad/mad/depressed/nervous, etc.), and I think I'm addicted to food, especially the bad kind and it's starting to scare me. I've tried to eat healthy and I always find myself turning back to greasy, fried foods in order to feel satisfied. It seems that healthy food just never really "hits the spot" with me and I find myself "grazing" in between meals to try to satisfy my cravings. I recently gave up smoking, so it's become worse as I try to find things to replace that addiction. I have come here seeking support and help, because I can't seem to find anyone that understands. I keep getting hit with the whole "Eat healthy and exercise!" thing and it kind of drives me crazy, because it's nearly impossible for me to do. I'm going to try again, though and tackle the whole "diet" thing with a new mindset. I want to change my lifestyle and live for me and not for food.

I hope I can make a lot of supportive friends here and I will give support to any who need it! It's a long hard road, but we'll all make it!

Welcome Sarah! You've come to the right place for support and information! I can relate to much of what you've experienced and I know there are many others here who have (and still are) as well.

Your post caught my eye in particular because I am an Okie (currently living in California). I grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Went to undergrad at Oklahoma State University and I lived in Enid, Oklahoma for quite a few years. I'll always be an Okie at heart.

Have you ever tried a program such as Weight Watchers? What kind of plan (if any) are you following?

So far, my favorite programs are Weight Watchers Core and South Beach Diet (starting with Phase 2). Also, I like to incorporate unprocessed, organic, and natural foods whenever possible. Exercise for me includes cardio (aerobic) and strength training on a daily basis. I've read a ton of books on health, losing weight, exercising, etc. I really enjoy the "You" books by Dr. Oz and Dr. Roizen, and the "Super Food" books by Steven Pratt, M.D. I also like "Ultrametabolism" by Mark Hyman, M.D., "Eat, Drink, and be Healthy" by Walter Willett, M.D., and "The No Time to Lose Diet" by Melina Jampolis, M.D.

I check a lot of books (including cookbooks) out of the library to read and learn as much as I possibly can to help keep me focused. I subscribe to the Weight Watchers magazine, Today's "Diet & Nutrition", "EatingWell", and and I used to subscribe to "Fit" magazine.

Right now, I'm sitting here eating a snack of a few walnuts and some fresh organic blackberries and I am in heaven (plus I have a big glass of water sitting next to me). I'll be doing a 45 minute Leslie Sansone workout video soon.

Also, my favorite phrase is: "It's not all-or-nothing, it's do the best you can, most of the time." Too many people give up if they have a bad meal, or a bad day, or even a bad week... (it happens to all of us from time to time). The most important thing is to get back on track and to not let those times foil your road to losing weight and getting fit and healthy!

Welcome!!!!

P.S. I just read your profile and I see you are in Ada, OK. My mother was from Durant (not far from Ada) - we spent a lot of time in Durant and some time in Ada as well when we were growing up. We are part Chickasaw Native Americans.

It's so nice to hear from a fellow Okie!!!! Thank you so much for the welcome!!! I don't really have a set plan, I'm mainly focusing on changing the types of foods I eat right now. It's going to be hard because I'm always on the run and it takes a lot less time to eat a hamburger than it does a salad. I need to get over this though and make time to eat well. I lost nearly 30 pounds just sticking to eating grilled chicken, veggies, turkey and other non-evil foods, but stress, school and other factors have caused me to fall off the wagon and I've gained about 14 pounds back. I am bound and determined to not let "easy" food seduce me again though. I am going to go through my refrigerator and pantry and toss everything that will potentially get me off track.

I haven't read any books, but for a while my mother got Prevention magazine and I swear I read every one cover to cover!! I love that magazine and it helped me choose the right foods and also gave me some great recipes. I live with my mom right now and it's hard to cook for just us two, and she's not able to do much due to COPD and trouble with her thyroid (she gained 80 pounds in just a year and has trouble getting around now), so it's just me doing everything. Most of the time we just end up going out to eat and I've tried to change this pattern time and again, but it always fails. I am glad I've found this site, I think it's just the thing I need to stay motivated and keep on track! I think I might check out some of those books you mentioned. I am always looking to learn more about being healthy and fit.

Now I have to go do thirty minutes on the elliptical trainer and hope I don't die!

I second that!!!

Also, I'm with you regarding taking the easy way and cooking for two. What I've finally figured out is that it makes life a LOT easier to cook a big batch of something healthy, then freeze in individual portions. There's almost always something quick and easy waiting in the freezer, so I don't even think about getting fast food.

And I have also grown seriously attached to Morningstar Farms "fake" burgers and chicken patties. Even my husband likes them (and he is a major carnivore!) They are very fast and easy. It doesn't have to be a chore every single day. I like to cook in bigger batches one day a week, then freeze. Then all you have to do is heat up some veggies separately. Or better yet, make sure there are already a bunch of veggies in the pre-made dinners!

You'll figure out what works for you. Welcome aboard, and good luck!

Hello! Welcome

Sarah, I can identify with much of what you said, especially the emotional eating and changing the mindset.

I hope you find the system that suits you the best. I am using the Beck plan (psychological retooling to change how I think) along with calorie counting.

Key for me...Persistence and baby steps...and as Cheree said...doing the best you can, most of the time!