Hello everyone!

I've been a lurker for months, and today decided to join. Why? Well I got on the scale this morning and it said "214", and then I spent 30 minutes trying to find anything that would fit but not make me look like a cow. I've reached my breaking point, and now I'm here to get encouragement and learn from all you fabulous people.

Some info on me:
I'm 26, and as the name suggests, I'm a chemist. I spend most of my day sitting or standing in one position. In high school I weighed about 130, and I remember thinking I was huge back then. In college I gained maybe 20-30 pounds of the years, but very evenly, so my clothes still fit. Going to grad school was when I gained a lot of weight, due to stress and crazy hours. And I was just plain lazy. Thinking back, I wish I would have taken advantage of my school's rec facilities!

Last year I joined WW and lost 25 pounds in 6 months. At that point I thought I could do it alone, so I left WW and since that time I've gained it all back plus another 10 pounds. I know what to do, I know how to eat, I know about exercise (and I have both a gym membership and multiple dvd's), my problem is motivation and accountability. When I get going, and I have a routine I stick to my plan and I do great. I always fall off the wagon when I need to travel or some big event happens. This time I'm commited to NOT falling off the wagon, but learning how to manage those times while still sticking to my plan.

I feel like I'm rambling so I'm going to stop now. Thanks for reading and letting me vent and I look forward to my time here on the board.

Hello & welcome!!

Good luck on your weightloss journey.....and welcome out of lurkdom.

If you know when you come unstuck perhaps you could spend a few hours a month planning foods/meal ideas for when you travel. Then, when you have to travel you have your own personalised 'Chemgirl on the move' travel diet plan ready!

Good luck

Lou

Thank you!

That is a great idea, planning while I'm on the road. I have a work trip in early October, so I'm going to try that and see how it works.

Hi &

Do you have a food plan this time around? Thinking about joining WW again or trying calorie counting?

There are support groups based on plan, but there's also a 20-something's area that you probably already know about since you've been lurking

It's absolutely wonderful that you're going to make a plan for "toughing it out" when stressful situations arise. But, don't be too hard on yourself, either. I mean that there may be times in the future when we slip off the wagon, or leap off of it, but what really counts is getting back on as soon as possible. Just looking at the maintainers forum we see that weight loss is not about perfection, as everyone here is human and makes poor choices sometimes (even if it's rarely), but it is about consistently getting back to it.

You can do this!!!! Best of success

Thanks for the welcome Faerie!

I have counting calories for about 2 months using Calorieking, which I really like. They have an extensive database and its very convenient for me, and I also bought a food scale and new measuring utensils so I can know exactly what I'm putting into my mouth.

I've been thinking about also doing FS as well. Can I do both, count calories but follow the FS eating phases?

Fatsmash, right?

Counting calories definitely works alongside many other Dieting Programs. So I can't think of why it wouldn't, however, I don't follow Fatsmash, so you may want to post a question there or in the Calorie Counters area to ask if anyone tries to follow the principles of both.

You've come to the right place.

Good idea

If I followed all my own advice I'd be at target 20 times over

I always make sure I have low cal bars/fruits that keep well and over here we get tuna meals in a tin with a spoon. Sort of like a pasta tuna salad etc, they come in a few flavours and are low fat and good for portion control. If you have any 'camping' type foods there you could always make sure you have a few in the cupboard / car for when you are suddenly on the road.

Lou

Hi Chemgirl, I am also new to this site and like you looking for support to help me get through the diet process... and to maintian the motivation.
So far I found this site really great.... alot of useful information and very friendly ppl in here.
Maybe we can be diet buddies and help each other out....

Have a good one....

lastfight

Good Luck!!!

I'm new too...and look forward to the support, tips and just plain great conversation.

I just joined about two weeks ago..I LOVE IT HERE. You will too! We'll all link arms and skip off together on our weight-loss journey!

-Susan