Hello everyone,
This Thanksgiving weekend I maxed out at 270lbs. I am 5'11'' and my healthy weight is between 160 and 170. My hope is that if I talk about my weight and my goals here it will encourage me to lose the weight. Hope to meet everyone soon.
Z~

Hi and Welcome to the Site. I have been on this site off and on for a number of years. But for the last two years, I had been maintaining my highest weight by 280. Now, I have decided to do something different. There are support forums on this site along with people who are also losing weight who will be very supportive of you (including me).

I was at the same point when I started needing to lose 100 pounds. I would suggest setting some much smaller goals that you can reach.

My first goal fit into my pants. Yes I was at the edge either buy the next size or get into the ones I had. I made that one pretty easy.

Then maybe 10 pounds at a time.

100 pounds sounds like so much. Now at about 57 pounds down and more than halfway I think I can do it.

You can to.

Oh yeah it was the regular way eating better and exercise. Sigh there's no other way.

Thanks for the support erricah. I think starting with 10 lbs sounds like a good way to start. Congratulations on the 57lbs loss!

Mini goals are the way to go! Set a non-food reward for yourself at the end of a small goal-- I would do maybe 20 pounds because the first 10# can come off easily when you change your eating habits!

I started at 273 pounds a little more than a year ago, and I weighed in at 212.4 this morning. That's 61 pounds lost-- I would have NEVER imagined that to be possible. I went from a 24/26 to a 16. Incredible! The key is planning (taking the time for yourself to plan is key) and consistency. Make the plan and carry it through. I plan every meal, snack, and beverage for my week on Sundays-- and then I use the plan as a checklist during the week to hold myself accountable. There are definitely times when I go off plan (birthday, etc.), but I am always making conscious choices! For so long I felt like a victim of the fat suit I was wearing-- not the case! I choose what I put into my body-- and you will be amazed at how your eating habits and wants change when you start taking care of yourself!

Exercise too-- start small, walk on a treadmill, take a class at the gym or YMCA, something. It will make you gain all sorts of confidence as you feel yourself getting stronger and doing things you never DREAMED you would do. I did a sprint triathlon this past summer-- 400m swim, 12.4 mi bike, 3.1 mi run. I trained all summer and did it in under 2 hours, which was my goal. I have also started doing 5K races in the past few months too-- again, these are things that I would have laughed at the idea of ever doing one year ago.

Also, if something is not working for you, change it up. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing while expecting different results-- just because something worked for others on here doesn't mean it will be the best for you. You have to shake up the snowglobe if you want to see results!

You are worth it! Get to work-- make the commitment to yourself!
Rose

You are welcome. Mini goals will help you to reach your goal weight. IrishRose has a point, find something that works for you. If it is not working, change it up. I work in New York so I walk for about 30 to 35 minutes 3 times a week to/from my job to/from the train station. I also try to eat alot more vegetables and less sweets than I did before. Now I don't deprive myself of sweets, I eat a cookie here or there but not everyday. I also participate in the fitness challenges that they have on here. I have my good days and bad days. I didn't gain the weight overnight, so I am not going to lose it overnight. But I do have a date of when I will (not should) reach my goal weight and that keeps me motivated.

Congratulations on the weight loss Rose! I think I might go to the movies for my reward. It will be hard to say no to the popcorn tho.
I work out at least 4 days a week (weight training followed by a 5k on either the treadmill and elliptical). Unfortunately the rest of my day is sedentary and my eating habits are atrocious. I'll try to swap out the chips and pub mix for veggies like Erricah does.

you know, sometimes treating yourself to popcorn won;t hurt you! if you had it every day then it's bad but every once in a while you have to treat yourself.

it sounds like you're quite fit before you start so just keep an eye on what you're eating.

Planning is important but your plans don't have to be complicated.

For me planning consists of the following:

1. Weigh myself every morning and enter my current weight (for better or worse) on The Daily Plate and update my longterm and shorterm tickers.
2. See how many calories the Daily Plate says I get to eat that day.
3. Eat within 200 calories above or below what the Daily Plate tells me before I go to bed.
4. Keep healthy foods in the house.
5. Eat out infrequently.

That's pretty much all the planning I do and it works well for me. If I tried to preplan all my meals I'd go crazy and it would make me not enjoy life.

Good to meet you Z,
I've got 91 lbs to lose so I'm up there with you. Thanks to everyone for their tips and support because it is helping me too!