[smh219]

Hi everyone,

I'm semi-new - lurked for a while, then vanished, but now I'm back! And yeah.. I'm hungry as I write this. There's a vending machine downstairs and I will be shortly walking past it in 15 minutes. EEK! I will avoid the candy bar, though. I don't have any money. LOL

I've struggled with weight all my life. It's been hard for me to step up and take the responsibility -- "It's an inherited problem", "I'll just always be like this", "Why can that girl stuff her face with pizza and not gain a pound, but I can't barely eat a french fry without feeling evil!?!?" and so on.

But recently I've really decided there is only one person who can change that mentality. ME!

I was able to lose about 40-50 pounds very slowly over the past 2 years. This is the first time I've worn jeans below a size 20 (I'm size 18 now). Just due to changes in my life, minimizing the amount of food I was eating, and excercising a lot more during the summer. Now I am back in college and have got cafeteria food points that I can't really escape. On one hand I'm annoyed, because it kinda crushes any calorie counting. On the other hand I'm excited because I won't be hurting anyone's feelings if I leave food on the plate, or if I don't take enough there won't be leftovers, etc. It's just a matter of eating the right amount (and trust me, I DON'T eat a lot-- that's why I'm so frustrated!) and picking the right things. I also don't have a scale..uh oh. I'm gonna have to find one of those around here.

Oh, I forgot to add how I'm planning to lose weight. I read up on the Hacker's diet, but that was a bit too technical for me (and I'm a techie to some extent, but...). I was big on the ChangeOne diet some years ago, but I don't have much control over what food options I have and no way to cook food. So, I'm hoping to cut my portions from the cafeteria in half. Whatever I put on my plate, I will simply eat half of it. I really hate to waste the food, so I'm ALSO hoping to simply take HALF of what I need in the first place. Easy? Uhh..

A little about me, I really love classic movies (if you couldn't tell by my avatar)! I also really like dancing (if you couldn't tell by my avatar! ) I am going to be learning lindy hop this summer and the less you weigh, the easier it is to be light (ha) on your feet. I also want to NEVER SET FOOT IN LANE BRYANT AGAIN!!!!! (I used to actually like their clothes but now their styles just suck! If I see one more wrap lycra top thing..) I want to wear what I want to wear! I want to feel healthier and have more self-esteem.

I'm jazzed to meet all of you and I hope to participate in challenges and stuff to help throw off those pounds!!!!

PS. Is there any where I could keep a "diary" on the forum? I would love to post pictures of my meals and get people's feedback on it...

[surly]

if you have issues controlling yourself in certain circumstances then try your best to avoid them at all costs. Personally I have have issues with late night eating after hitting the bars. Sometimes I leave before my friends do so that they can't ask me to join them.

[smh219]

Actually, and this probably annoys my friends to no end, I like feeling like a martyr who ignores the ice cream bar and dessert. It's more with the regular food during the day -- trying to decide how much is too much and how much is too little. (There IS such a thing, right?)

[rena1]

good luck! i just joined too! i started at 220, am down to 185 and am working my way down to 145. we can do it!

[smh219]

Hi Rena1, nice to meet you! We can definitely do it..thanks for the support and inspiration