After lurking around for the last few months I finally decided to register and introduce myself to all the people that are helping me stay on track. My name is Amy. I'm 31 and on September 3rd I weighed in at 289 lbs. I've been overweight my entire life and unlike other people who have at least made attempts at dieting or losing weight (regardless of their success), I have not even tried....until now. When I saw those numbers clearly creeping up toward that 300 mark, something inside me snapped. I decided I wanted to feel better. If looking better came along with it, GREAT....but mostly I knew I didn't feel good....mentally OR physically. I'm not much for other people telling me what to do so I'm not zoning, or sugar busting, or south beaching, or cabbage dieting. I started simply by cutting out fast food, junk food, high fat frozen foods (pizza rolls, microwave burritos and the like), deep fried foods, and my beloved coca cola. I truly believe what took place the first 3 days I started this journey has helped to keep my resolve steady. When I stopped eating greasy, salty, fatty, unhealthy foods...instead of feeling better, I actually felt awful for 3 days. I realize now that my body was going through a form of detox. I was disgusted with myself. I was so unhealthy and had so conditioned my body to an unhealthy lifestyle that it actually rebelled when healthy items were introduced. After that little 3 day detox, however, I felt fantastic. I started working out and began feeling even better! I started incorporating organic and natural foods into my routine whenever possible...and again felt even better!! I'm not lethargic or prone to headaches anymore. I work out 5 days a week and really just pay attention to what I eat. The strictest rules I have are a ban on fast food, portion control, and no eating after 7 PM. Otherwise I don't really feel I'm "denying" myself anything. I still eat potatoes, sometimes pasta, definitely some bread here and there....but now they're not french fries, or mass quantities of pasta, and I try to steer away from white flour and opt for whole grains. All that to say in the last 3 months I've lost 33 lbs. Though I have a long way to go, reading these forums have helped keep me on track and motivated. Thank you all!
Hi ALH!
Sounds like you've found what works best for you and you're off to a fantastic start - congrats on your success so far - we'll all be here to cheer you on!
Glad to have you join us! As you already know, there are lots & lots of different groups and forums - I'm sure you've found some that keep you motivated, inspired and entertained - join in- you'll be a wonderful addition to any of them! I like that there's also info and first hand advice on different eating plans and exercise to help get through the ups and downs.
There are bunches of people here with more to lose and some with less - the bottom line is that we all have to do it a day at a time. The good thing is that we'll have lots of company along the way.
I've only been here a few months myself, having NEVER been part of an online forum. What has been so eye-opening is how much it has helped me. Whenever I feel overwhelmed or defeated, I just log on and read some of the success stories, complete with their before & after photos - or read about others still dealing day to day with their challenges - and before I know it, the time has flown by and so have all the thoughts of cheating or giving up.
So welcome - you 've found the right place - join in by inspiring us and being inspired!
Oh gosh, our stories sound so alike that I have tears in my eyes. You are so wonderful for sharing. Thank you. You are three monthes ahead of me, so I know this is going to work. Thank you
patchworkpenguin , 12-16-2009 04:15 PM
Onederchic , 12-16-2009 04:18 PM
Hi ALH!
