Hello fellow 3FC'ers!

I am a 23 year old woman residing the lovely country of New Zealand. I have been overweight for the bulk of my life, and while it didn't bother me before, I didn't weigh as much as I do now. I have gained 50 lbs in the past two years, and another 50 in the several years before that.

I am afraid of this large commitment I have made to myself. I won't lie, I am a smoker, I am someone who enjoys a drink now and then, and all around I am probably not as healthy as I should be... I know I am not as healthy as I used to be. I am trying to do things one at a time, as to not overload myself, I am beginning with my weight, and slowly weaning myself off of nicotine.

Going to my physician recently and having to step on a special scale made me weep. I tipped the scale at 135 kg, which if you're unaware is almost 300 lbs. I have since dropped just over 10 kg, which is approximately 22 lbs, putting me at 122-125 KG currently. Honestly while it's not alot, I am happy I am getting somewhere.

I am 5'11, and the largest of my sisters... They are waif like, honestly, and the large amounts they eat make me envy their metabolisms. I understand the differences between us, and I am finally willing to work on myself... and stop hiding behind the weight I have gained.

I am so glad I found this community, it will make me more motivated than I am already.

10 kg is a great start! Don't belittle it.

Welcome to our little (okay, large) group. I only joined recently as well, but I've found everyone here to be absolutely wonderful.

What kind of plan are you following? Has your doctor recommended a method?

Hi and welcome!

Congrats on your 10KG loss! It's awesome.

If you need additional motivation and healthy eating guidelines, I would highly recommend Weight watchers.

The weekly weigh-inns and meetings are one of the things that motivates me the most and the eating plan is a great way to help you lose weight and keep it off.

I think keeping the weight off is the most difficult part to do and also one of the things that can put you back on the weight loss bandwagon.

Also NZ has lots of yummy weight watchers foods that we don't have where I live.

PS - How is it in NZ? We want to move there at the end of this year. My brother in law is going to study Psychology there.

Good luck! I know we can do it!

Thanks for the welcome to your little (okay, large ) group!

Sorry it's been a busy few days, so my reply is a bit late.

I am currently not following a specific plan, my doctor pretty much told me to take it one day at a time. I smoke, and he told me to slowly cut back on that, and I can say so far I have cut what I was smoking in half. I am also eating less, and questioning my 'hunger' more, as it tends to be from boredom, stress, and when I feel depressed. 10kg feels like a huge loss, but with how much I still have to lose I feel mostly overwhelmed. Thank you both for your encouragement.

My mum, my sister and myself have opted to hire a treadmill for the next three months to see what comes of it. I really, really wanted a gym membership, but the prices here in Auckland are pretty ridiculous. It is 100 NZD a month, plus the traveling it takes to get there multiplied by five, that's 500 a month which is 6,000 a year ... it seemed a bit more than my family was willing to do.

The three of us (of all different weights, my sister Kaity is 80 KG, my mum is 110 KG and has a lymph (lymphodema) issue that makes her retain water/lymph fluid...) have created a weekly plan and competition starting after mothers day. We have been eating healthier over the past week, and have been using the treadmill since its arrival yesterday. We will be weighing in and taking measurements once a week, and the winner each week doesn't have to do the dishes or clean the kitchen for two weeks.

I don't think I will have much of an issue keeping the weight off once I get it off, mostly because I would like to live a more active lifestyle. I want to be able to go camping once a month, start surfing again when the weather is right for it, join the runs for cancer/causes. ****, I'd like to go dancing with my sister on the weekends, but at this point I am too self concious to even do that.

Recently I have started a journal to help me with becoming a healthier person, mentally, emotionally, physically as well as spiritually. I've decided to update it as often as possible without writing about things that I find completely inane. (I have no interest in writing about how long I ran, or what I ate with specific facts, but how I felt about the run and what I ate.)

Suzie: My view on New Zealand is a bit scewed, I love it here, but even as an American moving to this country I have to say I enjoy the idea and the proper allocation of a socialist society... and that's coming from a woman who is from a fairly well off family.

I will be looking over weight watchers and deciding the proper course of action weighing my own abilities against the possible costs of such a program.



Side note: Finding a hula hoop adult sized of any type is terribly ridiculous! I have been unable to find one for over a week here.

Wow! Having your mother and sister along for the ride sounds great.

It sounds like you've got a really good plan started. I'm sure you'll be making some excellent progress. We look forward to sharing in your journey.

Congratulations on your 10kg ... little steps sound like a great plan ...

There are a few kiwis around here like me

Good luck on your journey