Hi there,
I'm pretty new to 3FC, but I've been lurking for a week or two. Kind of curious if there are people in my boat on here as well--

I've been overweight most (90%?) of my adult life. I'm 28 now. I've always been very driven academically and put myself in high-stress situations regarding first college and later graduate school. In college, my weight ballooned up to 200 lbs at one point and through a combination of exercise and diet I managed to bring myself down to the 120s, one of the lowest weights I'd ever been. Going into graduate school at a *very* famous, high-profile university for my Ph.D. in science, I was the skinniest I'd ever been, but the stress was also unfathomable. I used the stress of my situation as an excuse to not worry too much about my weight and to overindulge as much as I wanted. Because I had no time and no opportunity to work out, I ate convenience foods and as much of it as I wanted. Now, I'm a post-doc and the stress is even worse, but I'm starting to realize that if I did make time to exercise and eat right my work life and my health would both be better off. The key difference for me between graduate school and college was that my own time never felt like my own anymore - that there was always something I could be doing or working on. I've just found it so much harder to lose weight now that I'm older and with the stress still a significant issue. I also really find the fact that I was 120 lbs 5 years ago and gained it back and more (I was up to 240 lbs at one point) really demoralizing. I'm hoping the fact that I'm starting to get older and realizing that negative health effects come with being overweight will keep me on the right track. Just looking for a little optimism or any advice from anyone who works in a high-stress career track but still has managed to lose weight.

Hello and welcome,

I too, find it very hard on concentrating on two major goals, time and mind consuming like health and academics/career... I struggle each day to find a balance, but I think that prioritizing is the key. Really, our health is at least as important as our professional life, and I also think that being lighter help us tremendously in every aspect of living.

I wish you best of luck! Stay committed...

Your thread title 'fighting food and stress' shouted out to me. I've been lurking for a few days as well, and just joined.

I totally get your situation with eating habits and being stressed, just for different reasons--my situation is different but I am handling it (or not handling it) the same way.

I'm 49, very stressed due to constant pain from a severe heel break from 2 years ago, that has left me disabled. I've had two surgeries, am no better, and am due to see a specialist in two weeks in the hopes that my foot can be repaired at least to the point of alleviating the pain that has now spread up to my back. I can barely walk and it's excrutiating, live in 24/7 pain, cannot sleep, and eat badly on top of it.

Also stressed from the job - but that is seasonal for me--I'll have about 3 months of the year of being so busy that everything else in my life is put on hold because there just isn't enough time in the day to do anything but work.

I eat "crap" all the time and I am forcing myself to accept that if I take the time to make healthy meals instead of eating fast food, then I'll start feeling better and lose weight.

I was on the WW Core Plan years ago and really liked it, so tomorrow I'm going to the grocery store for my healthy ingredients. I have yo yo'd all my adult life - and it's always been stress that started my bad eating habits.

I'm glad I found this website because I had no idea how much better the Core plan could be until I saw all the core recipes!

Good luck to you! Here's hoping we both learn how to stop and smell the roses especially when we're stressed and crazy busy, and start taking the time to eat healthier! I know it won't be easy, but anything is better than how I feel now with all this weight on me, eating all the sugar that I eat, and eating enough for 3 people instead of just me, etc.

I am really looking forward to getting started and trying some of the recipes posted here!! One of my biggest hurdles will be letting go of food as medicine, and letting go of cheese and sugar. I love both in a major way, LOL....

Hi Ladies and Gent! My name is Dee and I have been reading your the forum for the past month. I decided to try Wonderslim based on the feedback and awesome results posted on the Wonderslim thread! I just completed my first week and have lost 6.8 lbs!!! I'm so excited! At 270, I weigh more that when I delivered my daughter February of last year (was 268 on day of delivery and 235 pre-pregnancy). My first goal is to get back into the 250s..long term goal is to "bring sexi back"!

I am a BIG stress eater, and that's how I got here! I have a 19yo with advanced colon cancer, a 1 year old, a full time job, and a relationship to nurture. Yes, my cup runneth over, but I'm committed to taking care of me for a change! I was dieting and s eeing a nutritionist and couldn't lose a pound! The nutritionist said she believes it was because of very stressful life! So now, I'm trying hard to relax!

Anywho, I'm looking forward to giving and receiving support in the journey to regain my health and lose weight!

The Wonderslim plan has been pretty easy thus far....I'd say my biggest challenge is getting in all the meals. I've had two days where I missed 3 meals. I've never been a big foodie, but I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE sweets. Did I mention that I LOVE sweets??? LOL! However, my sweet cravings are GONE! I even find the protein bars to be too sweet now!

I ordered the 12week program and so far so good! I don't care for the Tex Mex or the Chik'n & Tomato sauce, but I make them tolerable by adding extra seasoning and about a 1/4 cup of broccoli for some added crunch. I find the meals to be YUCKY if microwaved, so I cook them on the stove and it makes a HUGE difference! The other meals are not bad. I've always iincoporated tofu and soy chicken into my diet so I guess that's why I can tolerate the Chik'n meals. I LOVE the cheesecake and HATE the chocolate cake!

My weigh in day is Friday. I took my 360 photos and will do so weekly (am I supposed to do it weekly or monthly???). I forgot to take my measurements the first week but will do it this week (because sometimes the scale doesn't budge, but those inches do come off!).

Anywho, just wanted to pop in and introduce myself. Sorry for the "essay"! Take care and have an awesome stress free day!