Hi everyone.. New to the site.
 

Hi everyone,

I'm new to the site, and joined for SUPPORT!! I currently weigh in at a whopping 255 lbs and i'm only 5'5.. I haven't always been this big, i actually used to have a nice figure and was very confident, but now, i'm just... (sighs).. it's just depressing.. I don't even wear makeup anymore, or do the things i used to do.. But anyways that is neither here nor there. I am trying to get this weight off for good and make this a lifesytle change. I have been on every diet known to man, and i lose weight, but then i gain it back and more. Last year, my gyno even suggested to me, that i might want to think about the gastric bypass, but i don't think i have gotten to that extreme yet. Anyways.. I'm here, and i look forwarding to getting to know everyone and inspiring each other on this journey.. It's not gonna be a easy one..

Hi msj! Welcome! You have come to the right place for support! This site is oozing with it! I look at your 255 lbs and think losing weight from there is so do-able! Just relax, don't stress out about it, and simply think about what healthy changes you can make. You have nothing to lose (but weight, that is)! There is so much great advice here about how to lose weight the right way and once you take that weight off, how to keep it off for good! So read lots and jump in and start posting! People are very warm and accepting here, because we're all in the same boat and understand! You might even consider joining one of the challenges on this page: http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=159. They really help to keep your motivation high! Good luck!

HELLO!!!
I am 5'5" Also and My start weight in November 11th 2008 (nearly 5 months ago was 259.9 So I know how your feeling ....I have lost 46.7 lbs so far by counting calories....theres a forum on here for questions about counting calories if your interested in doing that PLUS THIS IS WHAT I READ THAT FOREVER CHANGED MY LIFE! Please read this hun and GOODLUCK!!!
I am on my way to go to sleep so just message me if you need some further help and I will answer you back as soon as possible.
:carrot:HERE IT IS::carrot:
Principles
Weight management may be difficult to achieve, but it certainly is not difficult to understand. When you consume food or drink, you consume calories. Your body burns calories to function, burning significantly more calories when you exercise. If you consume more calories than you burn, you gain weight. If you consume fewer calories than you burn, you lose weight.
Because your body requires energy simply to stay alive, you burn calories even when you are not exercising. In fact, you burn calories directly in proportion to your body weight. On average, a male burns 11 calories per day per pound of body weight. The average female burns 10 calories per day per pound of body weight. These figures are just averages. Some people will be higher or lower, since everyone's metabolism is a little different. Fitness Record allows you to specify the value which is appropriate for you. If you don't know, it is suggested that you start by using the average value for your gender.
For example, if John weighs 150 pounds, he burns approximately 150 x 11 = 1,650 calories per day. If he exercises, he will burn additional calories on top of that, depending on the exercise activity. However, if he does not exercise, he must eat 1,650 calories per day, just to maintain his body weight. If he eats more, he will gain weight. If he eats less, he'll lose weight.
For the purpose of calculating expected weight gain/loss, one pound is 3,500 calories. Each time you consume an extra 3,500 calories more than you burn, you will gain a pound. For example, Jane weighs 130 pounds, never exercises, and eats exactly 1,400 calories every day. Her metabolism is burning 1,300 calories per day, so she are consuming an extra 100 calories each day. If she does this indefinitely, she will gain a pound in 35 days, since 35 * 100 = 3,500.
Fitness Record uses another term, called Behavioral Weight. The idea is that over the long term, your weight is determined by your behaviors, and is best illustrated by example. Consider Jane above, who eats 1,400 calories per day. After 35 days of this behavior, she will weigh 131, instead of 130. This means her metabolism will burn slightly more calories than before. If she continues to eat 1,400 calories every day, she will continue to gain weight, but at a slightly slower pace. Eventually, she will weigh 140, at which time her metabolism will be burning 1,400 calories every day. At this point, she will stop gaining weight, since she is consuming the same number of calories that she burns. Therefore, by eating 1,400 calories in a day, Jane is behaving like a 140 pound person. Her "behavioral weight" is 140.
Exercise contributes to your calories burned. If Jane were to exercise, burning an additional 100 calories each day, then her calories burned would be in balance with her calories consumed. She could eat 1,400 calories per day, exercise 100 calories per day, and continue to way 130 indefinitely.
You may now be asking, "Why can't I just eat low fat foods?" You can eat whatever you want. But, non-fat foods can still have calories. Check the food label to find out if eating the non-fat version of a food is really saving you any calories -- sometimes it's not. Many programs recommend moderating your dietary fat intake, and that is obviously good advice. Eating low-fat foods happens to be an excellent guideline for keeping your calorie intake low. In addition, moderating your dietary fat intake may contribute to your health in other ways. However, it will not alter the mathematics of weight management -- you still have to eat fewer calories than you burn if you want to lose weight.
The problem with the way the human body works is that calories counting is tedious and difficult. Most weight-loss programs, as well as the so-called "fad diets", focus on other guidelines which are simpler to follow than calorie counting. However, none of these guidelines alter the underlying principles of weight management

Hi msjgl29 and welcome to 3FC.

Whatever you are thinking about or considering, you'll find help here.
Read lots, post lots and ask questions. We're here to help you.

Welcome! Surf around and settle in! We have forums based on age, eating plan, exercise and more! Check out the 100 lb Club for lots of fun and support!