Hello from Austin, Texas!
 

Big wave to everyone! I've been semi-lurking for a while. My name is Jen. I'm 26 years old, married and live in Austin, Texas. I work full-time and am also an independent skin care consultant. In my free time (HA!) I am a musician, photographer, bookworm and video game junkie extraordinaire.

I've been battling my weight since I was a teenager, during which time I did very desperate, unhealthy things (like, not eat) to lose it. All of that yo-yo'ing at such a young age had a negative effect on my metabolism and relationship with food. As a result I've been up and down throughout my 20's. And every time I would get close to my goal, I would become lazy or something would deter/discourage me, and POOF! - weight is back!

So for the past ~3 years I haven't put forth much effort. I've continued to have an "I'll start tomorrow" attitude. I've been eating all kinds of crap and not exercising. It wasn't until after seeing photos of myself from our company holiday party last year that I realized just how far I had let myself go. At times it feels so overwhelming, and I get really depressed. But I started WW online + exercise (again!) during the last week of January. I've made it over the 2-4 week "hump" I always struggle with, and I am DETERMINED to be successful this time.

That's where you guys come in. :-) The support and inspiration I have gained from simply reading these forums is incredible. I know it will helpful for me to connect and interact with others who know what it's like to struggle with being overweight, whether it be 25 lbs, 50 lbs, 100 lbs or more. I've been all over the scale, but right now I've got about 50 lbs left to lose. I'm going to need some help along the way!

Welcome! I've been on here forever but am still a semi-lurker ;)
We have a lot in common. I also live in Austin, TX. I'm 5'2" and my starting weight was ~180. And I'm a video game junkie too! It's a small world, isn't it?

What have you been doing for exercise? I started out with just the elliptical, and recently I took up the actual drums (instead of just rocking out on the rockband drums, which was also a workout) and only yesterday I started riding my bike for the first time in 3 years. I'm thinking about starting weight training next week.

Hi! Yeah, our stats are very similar! I've had a gym membership forever that I haven't been using. I finally started going again in January. I'm all about the elliptical! I am not a runner (not yet) and have always found the elliptical machine to be the friendliest. I'm also trying to get back on the resistance machines. I usually do legs and arms on different days... 3 sets of 10-12 reps on each. It's really hard to get to the gym sometimes. I am useless after work, so I try to go in the mornings. But I also have a bad habit of staying up too late, which makes it impossible to get my *** up at 5am for the gym!

Welcome to 3FC! Surf around and settle in! We have subforums based on age, eating plan, exercise and more! I'm glad you're here! :wave:

Thank you for the warm welcome! :-)

Hi Jen, we have almost identical stats! Your story rings so true for me. I felt like I was reading my own history!

I just started WW as well, but feel like I can't stay on it. All that points counting just reminded me of my obsessive calorie-counting in high school. It's so hard to diet without reverting back to that mindset. I just want to establish a healthy relationship with food again.

What kind of music/instrument do you play? I'm a musician as well, though a latent one since I started law school. I'd love to visit Austin; I have heard so many great things about it!