Hello Everyone

My name is Emma and from my early teens (around 14) my weight has been
gradually (and even sometimes quickly!) creeping up and up. Presently I am
around currently - 270lbs give or take some - I am at my largest (even
9months pregnant) I think this week was an eye opener. Clothes
shopping/weighing myself are my 2 most dreaded activities. The cutest top in
the largest size (think 4xl) did not fit.

Tell you the truth.. I don't even know where to start. I spend 10hrs a day in
**** (aka a bakery/bistro) where cheesecake and chocolates are friends! Then
I come home to a great guy and son who don't care how big or small I get.
(Sometimes I wish they'd tell me i'm too fat!)

My brother-in-law got married recently and looking back at the photos.. it's
like ohhh my.. This is what i look like. I think my friends are all to polite to tell
me "Emma you need to lose weight" But then if they did ... would I change?


Last year I was going good.. exercising daily .. cut out my 'sins'.. the inches
(not lb's) were starting to shed. The one day. done. haven't touched that
treadmill in 6/7? months...

So fate (or google!) has landed me here. I was only searching to see if I could
buy a larger size of my favourite brand jeans on google and 10 posts down
there was to this site. I want to be normal. I think it is time for me to get my
life into my hands again.

Any help or support will be sincerely appreciated.


-Emma
(btw, I am so not a chatty person! where did that come from?)

Congratualtins Emma, you made a start by positng here. This site has wonderful information on a variety of Weight Loss Programs. I myself am a weight watchers girl but look around and see what will work best for you. Remember you took the first step and that is the hardest part.

Good Luck and welcome

Cheryl

You've come to the right place! You can do it!

Emma, Yes photos are really eye-opening. I see myself in photos and do not recognize myself. I think we get used to seeing ourselves in the mirror (although I don't recognize that person either) and when we see pictures, we are seeing ourselves as others see us PHYSICALLY. I avoid pictures like the plague. But not for long.

Thank goodness that you REALIZE where you are. That is the beginning. I have realized it too. We can use those pictures for motivation. A year or so (or whatever your time goal is) we can look back on these pictures and say to ourselves, "Thank goodness I finally saw it."

As far as what you said about wishing your family would say something. I have to say that is a good and bad thing (as you mentioned). Of course they love you and thank God that they do. BUT, they know you need to lose weight. Maybe they are just used to seeing you at this size. I would just let them know that you had a wake-up call and you are doing something to fix it. Hopefully they will assist you by helping you make good choices.

I know you can do it. WE can do it. I am in that boat with ya! But we must just keep trying, even on the days you don't feel you did well. Just get back up and start again.

It doesn't matter if others see it and say something or nothing to us about it. What changes us is our own recognition of what we need to do. YOU see it and that's the most important part.

I am committed to losing weight imperfectly. The times in the past I've tried to lose I told myself that nothing less than a perfect effort was good enough. Within a few weeks or months I'd burn myself out and give up. Some people CAN do perfect. I am not them.

I'll probably wind up losing 30 lbs. in a 6 month period. That's certainly a 'slow' rate of loss compared to others but you know what? It will signify the first time in my life I've ever been trying to do something about my weight for that long and I couldn't be prouder. Once I lose it, I'll have to maintain it anyway which is very much the same effort as losing- so what's the hurry?

If you are feeling overwhelmed, just start by giving yourself permission to do SOMETHING different. Don't expect to do it all now. Make a small change and if, after a week, you don't lose any weight, increase the effort until it works. You might add a little more each week or you might find that small changes are making a big difference in the beginning. 80% of losing is in what you eat so start there and add exercise later. Listen to your body and it will tell you what works. I'm sure you know the mechanics of losing weight- that isn't the hard part. The hard part is overcoming the mental blocks that hold us back. 3FC is a great place to handle that part of losing. Welcome.

Maybe you can use meetings, or the online tools. Some people need the accountability of a meeting each week and enjoy the features of the meetings.
I'd like to say that you've come to the right place.

Emmalee, you CAN do it! No matter your workplace or your support at home, it comes from within. And if you are sick and tired of being that weight, you can change it! And there are sooo many people here who will root you on! If you don't know where to start, start with one day at a time. You don't have to concern yourself with anything past the first day. Just set a mini-goal, like "Today, for meals and snacks, I am going to eat only healthy foods in smaller portions." And make up your mind that you are going to meet that one goal! And then the next day, start all over again, set a mini-goal. And do this until you think you feel comfortable with it, and you'll find that you are well on your way! Meanwhile, come check this site everyday! It's so motivating! Everyone is so encouraging! Read lots and post lots and soon it won't feel so overwhelming! Good luck!

Hi Emma, and welcome to 3FC.

I'm glad google brought you here. Read around lots and post wherever you feel comfortable. Make 3fc a regular part of your day and you'll come up with many ideas on how to cope with your situation. We're here for you.

Welcome! Surf around and settle in! We have forums based on age, eating plan, exercise and more!

Check out the 100 lb Club. You can do this!

Thank you everyone for the great welcome


-emmalee

Welcome Emmalee! You can do this! You've made the first step in the right direction. You will find tons of support, friendship, encouragement and knowledge around here. Jump right in and make yourself at home!

welcome here! You can do it!

hello emma. Cognrats on finding this site, I hope you find it quite helpful. Anyway. Im in some what the same boat you are. Im 17 and 240lbs so maybe we can encourage each other do well. It is going to be hard but this forum is here so we can motivate each other, its so people like us know that we dont have to do it alone. And you dont. Anytime you need some inspiration just sign in and post a message. I know you can do it. If you believe in yourself. and if you ever feel like talking to me ill be here.

Take care
xxBrit