Hello! As the title says, how did this happen? How did I get so big? I just found this site and was wondering if I could join everyone. I am new to forums and I do not know where to begin. Maybe just saying HI is beginning enough.
So, HI!
I want to change my life but I think it is too late for me. I have alot of weight to loose and I don't know if I can do it. But I'm gunna try.

Thanks

Hi and welcome to 3FC!

It is never too late to change your life and be healthy. You can do it. Always believe in the power of YOU!

Good luck with your goals

Hugs
Michelle

Thank you, Onderchic. There is alot of stuff I have to learn. I don't have alot of money and my computer is real old. I sometimes have to walk to the library to use theres when mine does not work. I can't afford a fancy plan or anything so I hope I can get help on how to loose the weight without spending alot of money.
Thanks again.

I can relate. I don't have a job and my bf is a miser, lol. I have lost 142 pounds to date without spending money except for food and some workout DVDs which are not necessary if you choose to walk/jog/run for exercise

A *lot* of us (including me) count calories -- it works and it's free!

Walking is a great form of exercise-- my primary form of exercise. Since you walk to the library sometimes, that is a jump start for an exercise plan!

There are lots of folks who can offer tips on eating healthy on a budget -- if you can't find a suitable thread you can always ask anew.

Welcome and good luck. It's never to late!

Thank you yoyoma.
I think I have to start reading the stuff on the forum.
The answers must be out there somewhere.

Hi Mskitka. Diet plans do not need to be expensive. They can be done with normal grocery store food. Getting used to eting much less takes a while-- there will be cravings. If this is the first time you have lost weight, it is usually easier than if you were constantly on a diet. Basically it is just raising your activity level and lowering the amount of calories you eat.

Girl you don't need a fancy plan! And healthy food is not expensive if you know where to look! I used to buy groceries at larger chains, now I go to small local stores where the produce is just as good if not better AND it's dirt cheap! The big markets I'd go to I'd pay like $6 for a pack of strawberries, but the local market it was $1.50! Avocados 2 for $1 and at the big chain they were $3 EACH! I now spend like $20 a week on all my produce and it's a LOT of produce (for three people)!

I have had friends on nutrisystem and honestly when they got off of it, because they didn't learn how to eat right, they've started to gain again.

I have lost much slower than them, BUT I have kept the weight off by calorie counting and now I'm going to start reducing carbs since my loss has slowed!

If you plan to count calories sparkpeople.com is a great site to join! I love it!

Welcome and good luck ! I decided I was not going to pay someone to tell me what to eat so I count calories, it is effective and it is free. It is not so much about eating less as it is about making the right choices and eating the right amount of calories. Did I mention it is free ?

let me tell you - it is nver to late to start!! I my self was a size 10 and now I am wearing a 22! but I am down 40 pounds so please do not ever think that it is to late!!

This sums up how I feel about Calorie Counting. IMO it is the best way to diet. I have tried W.W., Medifast, Nutri-System and Atkins. I think Calorie Counting teaches you how to eat for life, not just send food, feed you for a while and then leave you own your own to learn the rest. While the other diets work, I learned nothing about maintaining my losses. I wish I had just counted calories from the beginning.

Welcome! I agree with Smiley, it is never too late to start. I also agree with all of the calorie counters here that you do not need to be on a fancy diet plan to lose weight.

You can do this. If you start right now, just think of how great you will feel in six months.... in one year... in two years. The trick is simple: get started and do the very best you can to stick with it.

I wish you the very best of luck!

Cheers,

J

do any of us know how it happened? lol. its like you wake up one morning and notice how fat you are. ugh. i wish i knew how it happened to me!

I one day said to my mom..."how did you let me get soo fat?" I didnt mean to blame her but I was fat before I could honestly make my own decisions... However I am now old enough to actively decide I'm no longer going to be fat... We all know that we got fat by being inactive and eating a little too much chocolate cake for dessert....but in the end its not about that its about the choice you have made to change your life for the better. When you think in terms of the larger picture it is much harder and you feel defeated before you even begin. It's a marathon not a sprint...take it day by day and you will see results. Losing weight may take a year or two but think about all the extra time you will have given yourself...and 2 years out of a good 70 isnt very much time at all.

Like everyone else has said...it's never too late. I understand the whole not having too much money b/c that's how I feel, but shop around...you sometimes find stuff for real cheap where you least expect it, and to start just start substituting certain things for other stuff that's healthier for instance...instead of buying white bread, buy whole wheat--instead of buying whole milk buy 2%, brown rice instead of white and so on an so on. Instead of soda, buy water (if you cant live w/out soda at least step down to diet which is what I've done lol) or buy the fuze drinks (if they're available by you) small changes will help you in the long run, and walk alot...everywhere you can walk just walk, make your walks longer....you can do this. You can do ANYTHING you set your mind & heart to. Don't get discouraged and stop b/c if you stop, then and ONLY THEN it will be too late--keep going if you don't see change b/c sometimes change is happening and we don't notice it. Best of luck to you, and look around the forum...LOTS of encouragement and motivational stuff!