hey everyone, hopefully this posts! im new here and i dont really know how to work everything haha. i'm going to be 17 this february and ive struggled with weight issues since the 7th grade. i know im not the most heavy girl, but to me it seems that way because all of my friends are around 100 to 112lbs. =/ ive tried weight watchers in 8th grade but it didnt last and ive been dieting on and off ever since. recently over this past summer i lost 10lbs due to just some healtier eating (salads, no junk food, etc...) but winded up gaining it all back plus some. last week i decided to try it again except stricter. i cut out all other drinks except water and try to drink around 32 to 46oz a day. ive also been doing hot yoga and lost 5lbs last week! but recently ive begun to fall of the wagon. at lunch i fell victim to popcorn chicken 2 times this week and yesterday i ate doritos and today i ate over 5 chips ahoy cookies with milk. does anyone have any suggestions or ideas that can keep my mind on my goal and help me from back peadling? thank you its greatly appreciated!

Ask yourself why you ate the unhealthy foods. If it's because you were genuinely hungry, add some lean protein and "good" fats (nuts, avocado, olive oil dressing on salads) into your diet to prevent hunger from driving you toward unhealthy foods. If it's because you were lonely or bored, try finding something else to do until the feeling passes -- e.g., go for a walk, or text friends, or, ahem, do your homework.

If it's because you were out with friends and that's what they were eating, well, you'll just have to learn to say "no thanks." I know peer pressure can be strong among teenagers, but remember that no one is forcing you to eat anything. True friends will understand and support your desire to eat healthier food, or to find social activities that don't involve food. (I know it sounds corny, but bowling can be really fun. And, I see a lot of college kids around here bowling, so you'd be developing skills... ) Ultimately, though, it's up to you to make the right choices. This doesn't mean starving yourself, though!

Good luck, and keep checking in. Maybe you could sneak into the 20-something forum to get support from people who are closer to you in age? I don't know if 3fc has a teen forum.

Welcome to 3FC! I'm sure you'll get plenty of good advice on the various forums here.

Here are a couple thoughts -

1) if you can't resist popcorn chicken, chips ahoy, doritos, etc then don't have them anywhere near you. Especially in the beginning when your brain still thinks you like them. Believe me, once you haven't eaten them for a few months you'll be, like, "gah! how'd I'd ever manage to eat this stuff? It's terrible. yuck!" I know it's hard since plenty of your friends will still be eating this junk but you have to just stay away from it.

2) accept and own, and I mean really own, that stuff like that is out of your life forever. It isn't out of your life till you get down to 110 pounds and then you can celebrate and go back to your bad old ways. Because you can't. You'll just pack on the pounds again and they'll bring their friends and the next time you want to lose weight there will be more to lose and your metabolism will be even more resistant to losing it. So this change is for good and for real and forever.

3) find healthy food you love and embrace them. Even if you don't lose weight you'll be doing yourself a huge favor to start eating whole foods instead of highly processed junk. If you really want a chocolate chip cookie - make it from scratch. Chips Ahoy don't even deserve to be called a cookie, not when compared to the real thing. I wouldn't recommend making and eating any cookies for a while but there are always healthier alternatives to the highly processed foods.

4) stay away from the whites - sugar, flour, rice, potatoes. Sugar is addictive and white rice and flour have had most of their nutrients stripped away. Whole wheat flour, brown rice, sweet potatoes, and less sweeteners in general are the way to go.

5) plan ahead. Carry some healthy options in your bag - I usually have an apple, a couple clementines, a cheese stick, a small bag of almonds - things like that in my bag. I usually have a small knitting project as well because i can knit and talk with friends or watch TV and it keeps my hands busy so I'm less likely to snack on anything that happens to be nearby.

I wish I had tackled this when I was 17 instead of waiting till I was in my 50's - my hat is off to you! Good Luck!!!

to both Kaw and Vladadog, youre advice is really helpful and im happy i could go on here and find some good advice and support! after i read this, i took the liberty of throwing outmy junk food (although my family might be a bit angry at that, haha!) but i get what youre saying, out of mind, out of sight. thank you both so much! =)

Amanda, i remember being in the same position as you. I was in 8th grade when my mom signed me up to weight watchers..and it did work for a little while. I lost a few pounds, but eventually.. i went back to eating the same old way. I can understand your frustration because in high school, and especially for people who have fast metabolisms, they are eating everything and anythign around you..most of them can get away with it, without seeing the affects on there body. I would be concerned one day, that they will end up with cancer just because they filled there body with crap.. Its hard to stay away from stuff , it does take will power and a desire to change. I understand that. I was a closet eater, constantly eating on my own, in secret, because i felt embarressed about being bigger than everyone..but i craved that junk food and sweets..

I cant tell you which diet is the best..but one thing i have learned recently, is that you cant look at it like a diet. Its going to take me months to get back to a normal healthy weight for me and it took me months to get unhealthy..so i cant and wont condemn myself if i cheat here and there ..everyone is human..but its about your life and how you choose to live it, for the rest of your life..so if you want popcorn chicken, then go ahead..but every time you make a choice to say no to that chicken..and say yes to a healthier meal, you are saying yes, to a healthier you..a happier you..

So...my best advice would be to 1) ask yourself if your ready to change your lifestyle..cause a short term diet wont be the answer to your problem..it needs to be long term.

2)look at the different options..theyre are all kind of options out there..maybe calorie counting isnt for you..maybe you need to have a diet that allows you to have more proteins and a lifestyle that will help you eliminate crazy cravings for carbs..like south beach..or maybe you need a balance of fat to protein to carb such as the zone.. Whatever one suits your needs, choose it and stick to it..it takes time and patience to see results..skinny or thin doesnt happen overnight..

3) dont be harsh on yourself..your 17..allow yourself to cheat once in a while..and dont beat yourself up about it and if you fall off the wagon..pick yourself back up.. and keep going!

that was so inspirational to read i completely get it. thank you so much for the advice and kind words(: the people on this website have really opened my eyes