Hi ladies! I perused the site for about 15 minutes before deciding this is the place for me! I am 19, out of school, and I just feel icky. Most of you would laugh at me - everyone I tell this to does - but honestly I am NOT happy with my body. A year ago I was a size 7-8, and now I'm a 12-14. Nothing fits, nothing looks good, and I am getting depressed! It's nuts to know that I have gained so much in less than a year!!!

I want to get back down to my "high school swim size". My boyfriend constantly tells me how beautiful I am, but every single time I look in the mirror and see that tummy "pooch", or those god-awful love handles, or even those thighs that bump into EVERYTHING I feel sick. I miss being little, and I miss feeling sexy.

I have started taking Diruex to try to lose some water weight, and I have been trying to cut down on those late night snacks, as well as drink more water instead of Diet Dr Pepper - which is my guilty pleasure and I drink entirely too much of! I have also bought some Smart Ones/Lean Cuisines and will be replacing more meals than I have been with them. My sister-in-law does WW and I know how to cook some of those recipes, but the core isn't so fun and the flex is hard because reminding myself to measure things can sometimes prove to be nonexistant =). I have several dance workout videos that I will be working out to - or that's the goal anyway!

I am looking for a great support system, as well as someone to "cry" with when things get tough. You ladies seem to have it together and together I hope we can have it all!

Good luck and I look forward to your replies!!!

Are you me?

First of all, let me say welcome! I felt exactly the same way when I came home from 'studying abroad' last December 10 pounds heavier than before I left. I was almost 150, which was a really big deal to me. My boyfriend says kept saying I was still gorgeous and my weight shouldn't be an issue. Even though he was still happy with me at a heavier weight, I HATED myself. When I was in Europe, it never dawned on me that I had gained any weight, until one day in a fluorescent light dressing room I saw every angle of me in a 4 way mirror. Then I realized that maybe eating gelato twice a day, a pack of Haribo gummy bears on the way home from school, a pack of cookie dough after dinner, and lots of alcohol may have had an affect on me.
It wasn't til I was back in the states for a month or two til I finally decided that I couldn't look at myself in the mirror anymore. I actually started taking Diruex too, but when it wasn't just water weight I started paying close attention to what I ate. (I seriously started around february or so)
I started running and going to the gym and learning about calorie intake and started counting EVERYTHING... and after that I started learning more about fats and sugars and now I'm (ALMOST!) 20 pounds lighter and a major in Nutrition, ha!

I think since you're only 19, I'm 20, and you don't have too much weight to lose you should try limiting your calorie intake and learning about what your body needs. Eat right and work the heck out.

Once again, welcome! And I and all the other members here will be there whenever you need support, advice, or anything!

=]

Also long as you drink plenty of water you don't need harsh chemicals to dehydrate your body. It will only frustrate you and cause more problems.
I think the standard is 8 cups a day (someone correct me if I am wrong)I find that not enough and drink probably 8 to 10 24 oz bottles of water a day depending on how much I exercise.
I would suggest setting a specific time every day (or what days you want to exercise) and that you have to do it that day. My downfall with exercising at home was that I would always put it off to "later" then it would get too late and I would be to "tired". Even on days you don't feel like exercising tell yourself well I will only do 10 mins..you'll most likely get started and get into it and finish the whole tape. I this also works with me at the gym when I make myself go.
I would be very careful of frozen dinners as well.. because they contain sooooo much sodium that can cause you to retain excess water. SO when you eat those, you probably should counter balance it with more water. Try to pick the ones that are lower in sodium.

Good Luck! The first few days may be hard but you can do it!

Mandyleigh! We're glad you decided to join us! You may find just the plan you're looking for in our Calorie Counters forum, but feel free to join in anywhere you wish.
And I agree with everyone else, the best way to lose water weight is to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day, and cut down on salt. Those frozen dinners are full of sodium, even though they're low calorie. You will find lots of suggestions, encouragement and motivation here to help you along your weightloss journey. Good luck!

Ahhhhh gelato!!!!! Oh how I miss the ice cream from Paris! I was there and in London for a total of 9 days after my junior year...YUM!!!

My issue with the gym is I want to do one of two things. I either want to swim laps or walk on a treadmill. I tried last night to convince my mother to build a 25M olympic sized heated pool in our backyard...needless to say THAT went over well! Lol. I woke up this morning before noon (and yes I do want a cookie, thank you - this is WAY rare for me) and decided today is a new day. I opened a bottle of water, showered, and I feel amazing and empowered. I plan on popping in a dance video shortly after replying =)

My boyfriend is the SAME way! He said he'd love me no matter if I weighed 120 lbs or 400! Meanwhile he's TINY, but well built, and has NO extra body fat! He has decided he's going to be my cheerleader and help me - but he just doesn't get it, ya know? I'm sorry but taking advice from my well-built boyfriend who sports a 6-pack and killer muscles is NOT what I had in mind. He's always been tiny, never dealt with those monthly bloating issues, never had "thunder thighs" and just doesn't have a clue! But, nevertheless, I am going to let him feel important. After all, isn't that what men need? =)

the smart ones and lean cuisines are good at helping you eat portion control they are however loaded with sodium so drink plenty of water with them! good luck!

Welcome and good luck. You are wise to start taking charge of your health while you are young, it just gets harder as you get older.