[Hyacinth]

I'm new here, but not new to weight loss and gain. I've obsessively lost significant amounts of weight before, and I did it by directing every extra erg of energy towards food, exercise, and the weight-loss process. When I needed to focus my energy on other things, my weight loss halted. An unhappy job (and not having the sense to change jobs) caused me to seek comfort in food again, and I promptly "found" all 80 pounds I'd lost, and a handful more.

So, a series of life events has left me newly unemployed, living alone in a new place that I love, and all the time in the world.

I am going to start by becoming a Calorie Counter and walking 20 minutes a day.

I'm 38 years old, single, and looking at a totally different world than I had just a month ago. There are a lot of unknowns in my future, a lot of time on my hands, and building healthy habits seems to be the most accessible and immediate place to start.

I'm a technologist, schmoozer, empty-nest single mother, wanna-be artist, wanderer, and a thinker. I like beauty, nature, humor, people, cleaning and organizing, old things, recycling and creative reuse, art, men, and fresh air. I seek opportunities to experience new things, get out of my comfort zone, and challenge my thoughts and ideas.

My challenges are being lazy, inconsistent, loving refined carbs and butter (apart or together), and occasionally being overly dramatic about things (but I recognize this and keep it in check). I somewhat clumsy and don't love exercise, and I know that any changes I make need to be something I can do every single day for the rest of my life (which is why, at this time, a rigorous exercise routine at a gym is out of the question).

I need help getting myself firmly on the correct path to meet my goals. Oh, a goal. I guess my goal is to lose all excess weight, but a 134-pound weight loss seems insurmountable from where I'm at right now. A shorter term goal is to lose enough weight to give me a little spring in my step and a shot of self-confidence to put on the interview costume and sell myself to a new employer.

So, hi, everybody! I love advice, ideas, inspiration, encouragement, so please share yours!

[midwife]

Hi Hyacinth!!!! Welcome to 3FC!

I think you have a great plan for your weight management! We have an active calorie counting forum, a 30 something forum, and 100 lb Club with great support from folks who know what it is like to attack 100+ pounds. Settle in and make yourself at home!

[Lovely]

Your posting made me smile.

Hyacinth.

Your plans sound very wonderful. Small changes will add up. And the smaller goals will keep you focused.

Adding to some of the areas that midwife mentioned, there's a 300+ area as well.

Post wherever your heart desires.

It's all about commitment. If you have that, you don't need willpower or motivation.

[heather88]

I feel like your situation is very similar to mine. I was at a job that constantly stressed me out and worried me about a month ago and things turned around for me to the point that I have a lot more free time and a good housing situation with just myself and my boyfriend. I've been doing about 25 mins of cardio on a daily basis to start out small. I am two weeks into my plan and have already added some weight training and various other exercises that I have actually come across on this board. This place has helped me grow a little with my exercise and to get myself back on track if I just so happen to mess up a little! I also count calories, so when I mess up I go straight to fit day to see what I need to eat to make my calories and fat goals for the day/week and always have my exercise(even with what little it is right now) in high priority.

A good way to do mini goals is to calculate 10% of the weight you want to lose and use that number for 10 mini goals. Or you can do your mini goals according to certain special occasions that you might want to be at a certain weight for.

[mazza]

Good on ya, Hyacineth - for making this life changing decision.

Oh, and WELCOME to 3FC!

I think your plan sounds very sensible and 20 minutes of walking a day is a great way to start incorporating physical activity into your daily routine.

I wish you the very best of luck.