[Hailly]

These expensive gym shoes have seen four separate "I'm fed up being fat" attempts at exercise. Something feels different this time and that's why I'm here.

I've been obese my whole life, but with a "thin face", so until I became uncomfortable in my own skin at 250 and 5'7", it was never an issue. My knees hurt, I can't cross my legs, my belly gets in the way of me bending forward... I'm just sick of it. I have next to no endurance, and with my dream trip overseas coming up in two months, I am kind of hoping to increase my endurance for walking even just a little bit in that time.

My body image, overall, is good. I have "fat days" in which it seems like nothing, nothing at all in my closer makes me look good and I'll opt to stay in and mope instead; most of the time, though, I feel sexy and attractive. I have an awesome spouse who loves my body and loves me. I have male admirers. I have a great job and a great life. Things, emotionally, feel good.

I think that's why things feel different this time; I'm losing weight so I feel better and physically work better, and with a purpose in mind (to be able to enjoy my dream trip to the fullest extent), rather than to 'get thin'. I have almost 100 lbs. to lose if I were to reach "normal" on the BMI and at this point, don't know if I'll ever even get that low. But I need to make some kind of lifestyle change if I want to feel good in my own skin again. I've never lost weight before--ever--so even losing 20 pounds, which still puts me at obese and would still catch doctors' lectures--will be a huge milestone for me.

For the past two days, I've thrown myself at the gym after work and went a full 30 minutes on the bike (low/medium resistance--which must be better than nothing, as it's enough to get my sports bra, um, fully disgusting sweaty) and 15 minutes walking on the treadmill. After college graduation, I went from walking everywhere to a completely sedentary desk job with mind-numbingly annoying colleagues. This sitting still and exasperation was enough to make going to the gym feel like I was sweating out the horrible of the day. We'll see if I can stick with it; I usually get into two-day-on/two-day-off phases of "Do I care this much about my weight to get this? Yes *sob sob sob* Okay, that's better, now hand over the Ben & Jerry's". I want this to stick for once.

I just need to stick with it this time. And even if nobody reads this forum post, knowing that it's here may help in keeping me on task.

And I do have questions. What's enough exercise for me? I don't want to be a body builder. I just want to lose 5 or 10 pounds to prove that I'm capable of dropping them; I know in my heart that it'll kickstart something in me to keep going. I have no confidence right now and I'm far too shy to ask for help, after having been lectured for so long about my health.

[CountingDown]

I can tell you that I started with 30 minutes of walking every day (WATP) and 15-20 minutes of weights 3 days a week. I saw very rapid results. That being said, staying OP is very, very important to seeing scale results. I think exercise is a KEY, but calories in vs. calories out is about 85% of the equation for me.

You CAN do this! I can't wait to read your first mini-goal success

[shrinkingleah]

How exciting that you are taking the steps to healthier weight, therefore a healthier you! You seem to know a little about what you're doing so it seems your on the right path. There is no one answer for anyone so find a diet that has been tried and true and stick to it! Exercise can be slow and steadily build up, you will see a difference as long as you increase your activity level.

Good luck and I look forward to more posts from you!

[Rosinante]

Excellent starting point - that you alreay have great self-image, you're doing this weight loss almost for non-emotional reasons, for the concrete reason of improving your health, and that's something that's just a fact and won't change accoding to how you feel.
Excellent starting point #2 - you know that it's just a matter of getting on with it. So true. No magic diets, no weird science, just pick how you're going to do it (I vote for calorie counting, me) and, provided it's healthy, just doing it will get you results.
Good luck!

[midwife]

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


Be sure to check out the 100 lb Club for lots of support! Sounds like you are off to a great start!