College student needs motivation
 

Hey ya'll! I'm a 22 year old college student from Texas and I am set to graduate college in August. I have always dreaded summer time, I hate wearing shorts and I cannot stand being in a swimsuit. For once in my college life I want to have the self confidence to buy a cute 2 piece bikini and show it off at the lake, pool or beach. All of my friends like to attend pool parties and I have always made up some lame excuse why I can't go. During the summers, I skip out on lake trips with friends bc I am not comfortable with the way I look. After all of this, you would think I would have the motivation to change but I don't. I just get more and more depressed and its awful. I have been missing so much class lately because I am so self conscious that I fell as if everyone is judging me and thinking that I need to hit the gym. When I do make it to class I sit in the very last row and try to make myself invisible. Its horrible and I just wish that for once I could get the confidence and motivation to do something about my weight so I can have the normal college experience just 1 time before I graduate.

OH, and I am a bridesmaid in my friends wedding in April and I would LOVE to show all of those girls from high school that I can do it and lose the weight. My biggest fear is showing up at the weight I am at now, and having that constant fear in the back of my head that they are all judging me and thinking that I gained weight since high school. Even if they don't say anything, I still think that is all they are concerned about (almost seems conceited that I would think that they are only concerned about me, but it isn't in a good way. If only I thought they were thinking how great I looked...yeah right). I know that I have said my fair share of people I haven't seen in a while and I know that other people talk so I know that the roll could reverse and I could be that girl that everyone is talking crap about.

IF ANYONE CAN HELP ME WITH MOTIVATIONAL QUOTES OR ANYTHING PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let me know. I am desperate for anything...

:wel3fc: Hi texas12!
Many of us here can undertsand how you feel, extra weight can keep us from living life the way we would like - don't worry about those other people (they will always find something, if not weight then another thing), this is about being confident and comfortable with yourself - the support you need is here - we'll all be here to cheer you on..

Glad to have you join us! There are lots & lots of different groups and forums - I'm sure you'll find some that will keep you motivated and inspired. Try the 20 somethings, the weight loss support forums, they're active and very helpful - also the Success stories are a definite must for motivation.

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 since last fall, 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 going off track or giving up. It has made all the difference in my success so far.

So welcome - you've found the right place - join in by inspiring us and being inspired! :df:

All the best - good luck with your goals - here's to being a fabulous bridesmaid in April,
Lee

I hear ya Texas!
 

I've been that girl. The self-conscious one that was always paranoid people were judging her. And to some extent, I still am. But since having lost a little bit of weight I can tell my self-confidence has shot through the roof! My suggestion: start with a mini-goal (maybe 5 lbs) and then when you reach it - it's the best feeling. I have a lot to lose, so I'm working in 10lb increments and when I reach goal I feel AWESOME and even if I'm just working towards the goal, I feel great after I say "No" to that piece of breakroom cake. Start small, but reward big (like a new piece of clothing, or that book you wanted) for your goals.

Graduate school is a great opportunity to make new friends that judge you on your intelligence, so that might make it even easier. Now you're being judged on what you say, not how you look. Work really hard in school, show everyone what a smart chica you are, and no one will look down on you. In fact, they'll all be trying to be your study buddy!