Hello everyone!
My name is Michelle, I'm 34, soon to be 35 in January, and have battled the weight all of my life. I was also one of those overweight kids, the teasing and straight out torture of it stays with me untill this day. But I'm ready to move on. I have lost the weight before, twice actually but gained it all back and then some.
I 'm pretty excited about finding this site. I hope to get to know some of you, the support and information here seems fantastic so far.
So I'm 5'4", I weigh 225, and my goal is 140 pounds. I'm giving myself a year.
Does that seem unrealistic?

Hi Michelle,
My name's Rose. I'm 10 yrs older (I'll be 45 in Feb) but other than that our stories are pretty similar. I too have lost the weight before but then gained it all back (and then some, unfortunately). So I know how to do it, I just need to be held accountable to every lb that creeps back on. I love this site.
I'm 5'5", I weigh 236.8, and my goal is 145 lbs (whenever I can get there). I believe our goals are very realistic. How are you planning to lose the weight?

Nice to meet you Rose!
I know what you mean about the accountability part of it, there is no one to blame for the weight coming back on, but myself. Enough is Enough though. Jeez!
I'm going to start of with 1200 to 1500 calories a day,eat healthier of course,no junk,fried or fatty foods, try and drink my 64 oz of water daily.

I would love to be able to walk at the mall for 30 minutes 3-4 times per week, but I'm married with 2 small boys ages 4 & 6. My husband should be willing to watch them for an hour on my days off, so I can get my walk in. He is thin as a rail though, always has been, it is hard for him to understand why this is such a big deal to me. I'm hoping to make him see.
The excersize part will be the toughest thing to work out. I work 12 hour shifts, then at home with my sons, it is hard to find "me" time!
How about you, what is your plan?

Hi Michelle,

No that doesn't sound unrealistic. I'm not too far away from you. I'm 34 and will be 35 in March. I weight 211 and right now my goal is 160 by March. I wanna feel good in my skin by time i turn 35....which to me 35 is a big mark for me, not sure why, it just is.
I'm working on my plan right now....I'm thinkthing the Mediterranean Diet of some sort. I've been reading alot about that way of eating and i hear it's very heart friendly. I've always pretty much eatin off and on how ever i wanted to, but as i'm getting older my body just can't handle the some of the same foods i used to eat....so a major change is needed. It wil be a gradual change but a necessary one.
Michelle, good luck on your weightloss, This is one area your not alone in.
Theresa

Well, I just started weight watchers last week and so far so good. We're doing it at work and it fits in with my schedule (I work long hours too) I have 2 sons too but they are grown, so I have no reason not to get myself moving. But I procrastinate. I keep putting it off all day long, a few hours at a time, until the day is gone and I think "hmmm, I think I'll just exercise tomorrow".
I lost 25 lbs one a half years ago doing it the way your doing, except I ate what I wanted within reason on Saturdays. It was easier to pass things up during the week if I told myself "you can have it on Saturday". It was through a dump the plump program at work and when the program ended I packed on 40 lbs. Bummer. Part of the program was you HAD to exercise 30 min each day. What I finally did to get myself going was that I walked or marched in place during a favorite 30 minute tv show. On commercials I would really march hard to try and get my heart rate up. The main thing is don't sit down.
Sorry this is so long, not like me
Rose

Thank You both for your support. We all can get there, just takes time I know.
Best Wishes to you!