Well I finally hit bottom. Isn't that what it takes to get serious?
I've been on EVERY diet plan ever written -- starting when I was 10 (yep-- mom put me on a diet so I could be the perfect, pretty little model she wanted... didn't happen!)
That was 30+ years ago.....

Been a size 18/20 since 1977.... ONCE I was a size 12-- for a year... then once I couldn't swim laps and walk 5 miles a day (broke my back) it all came back on.

There are several 'heavy" gals in our family-- but I always thought I was smaller than them... until I recently saw a photo of me taken at the 4th of July Family reunion...

The only though that came to mind was-- OH MY GOD! That ISN'T ME!!?? and I have been in tears for a week since.

BUT: I have ALSO been very good about eating healthy, watching my portions, and adding veggies to my meals.

Till now-- I was an "all the carbs- mayo-cheese you can add to-it" eater. Now it is - how can I add veggies to that? How can I eat that without all that bread?

I really would like to get to know others "in my boat"... I NEED to lose 70+ lbs.... my back injury + weigh means I do not move well and hurt all the time.. plus I now have other health issues that WILL go away with weight loss (You'd think THAT would have been enough incentive!?)

Sorry for the rant-- We live in the boonies- raising chickens and goats, starting a micro-farm.... so I do not have anyone to talk to ...cept' the chickens-- (the goats don't listen well!)

Thanks for your patience-- and hopefully-- I'll make some friends while I shed this extra padding!

LadyZandra! I'm so glad I read your post. First off, to you! I really know all about not feeling well. I struggle with chronic daily migraines, so there isn't a moment when I'm not in some kind of pain (in varying degrees). I used that as an excuse/reason for years and the weight was up and down. Then I realized that I could be overweight with a migraine or normal weight with a migraine and the latter seemed a lot more appealing. I've stuck to my plan (with some off plan days for sure, but I hopped right back on track right away) and I now feel so much better about myself. I still struggle with pain and all that comes with it, but at least this is one less thing to fret over.

I am so glad you're making positive changes! That's something to be proud of so wipe your tears LadyZandra! You need to put a smile on your face and take on this journey of self discovery. Look at it as the start of something wonderful and it will be! Smaller portions and less bread are great, but I do highly recommend finding a good plan to guide you. Personally, I love calorie counting because there's no guesswork....I always know where I stand, unless I'm eating at someone's house and have no idea what's in something....but I try to avoid those types of events anyway.

Anyway, I just wanted to say and if you have any questions or need some support, please feel free to PM me.

Welcome to 3FC!

Thrilled to have you join us on your journey~

I remember seeing pictures of myself and thinking "No.... no that must be some sort of body double. I cannot possibly look that big." Oh, but I did. I very much so was "that big".

The good news is that we can step away from that point. I still have pictures of myself at my largest, and every once in a while I pull them out and compare them to where I am now. The difference (even after only a little while) is huge.

We're all in that boat you mention One day at a time, one healthy habit being built up after another. Taking some pounds off, and getting healthier

You can do this.

Best of wishes on your journey and I hope to see you around the boards!

Welcome girl. Hey your on the right track. I can also relate my mother put me on diets since the age of 8 and apparently we never really get along unless I'm super skinny (which hasn't happened since I was a teenager with and eating disorder) but the key is we here and doing it right this time, and in a healthy way. It sounds like your doing great and making some wonderful choices by adding veggies and eating less bread! Good on ya girl! We always have a choice, and some days I leer at the chocolate chipe cookies my sons are eating and yes sometimes I do have 1 but just 1, and then that's it for the week. It all comes down to choice, and if I make a bad one, the next one will be better Glad you are here.

Welcome to the forum LadyZ! I know you will get to your goal!

Thank You All!
Well-- today is day 4-- and still going strong.

All your encouragement & reading other folks stories is really helping my momentum and motivation... hard to do this alone- ya know?

I actually am Making healthy choices instead of falling back to old habits...
had to spend the whole day shopping, playing taxi back and forth to the college, etc...

Took a canned shake and a plum with me to start the day... then the kids wanted Taco bell... UH OH!!!

BUT: I had unsweetened Iced tea and a chicken burrito-- hold the cheese and sour cream... and was totally good with it! I can't BELIEVE I did it!
I usually get the 2 chalupa + taco combo with extra sauce...!

Dinner tonight is a chopp-salad and grilled pork loin...

I'M doin it!!!!!

Good for you, Lady! What a great positive attitude you have!! All you can do is take it one day at a time. At the beginning the days do seem to drag on, but as soon as a good chunk of weight comes off, clothes start getting looser, people start complimenting your achievements...the days go by faster and it gets a little easier to pass up those goodies.

Welcome to the forum!!