[jmm5341]

Hello all,

I am just looking for some support and people to hold me accountable in my weight loss goals. I graduated college in 2010, and I have been working as a social worker since then. I put on about 20 pounds in my senior year due to excessive eating and drinking. I lost a few pounds as I watched what I was eating and got back into run/walks that summer. I stayed 180 and then started steadily gaining once I started my first full time job out of college. I gained about 15-20 pounds the first year, and I am now about 220 in the middle of my second year after college.

I used to play rugby and was always an athletic person, but now I easily get out of breath and it is too hard on my knees to run. I know I eat more than I should and I have basically a completely sedentary lifestyle.

I am having a hard time: 1. adapting to my current self - with stretch marks and in the worst shape of my life. 2. finding a starting point and a clear plan that I can stick to.

I know I need to turn things around now while I am young (23) and my body can still bounce back relatively quickly. My mom has been overweight since I can remember, and I am very genetically similar to her (body type, face, hair, eyes, etc). I know I have a long road ahead of me, but I want to be able to be the active person I used to be. Weight loss for me isn't only about looks but about being physically healthy and physically able to do the things I used to do with ease (run, hike, play sports).

I know adjusting to having a full time job (and a part time one too) is another thing I am still trying to do, but for me exercise has been out of the picture for a while as I want to spend my time off just resting up and relaxing.

I intellectually know what I need to do in order to lose weight: eat less, exercise more, but I am really struggling motivation wise.

[Misti in Seattle]

Hello and Hope you are able to find the plan that works for you. You've made a good decision in coming here... lots of great support and advice.

[NEMom]

Welcome to the forum!
My first piece of advice is to throw the word 'motivation' out the window. It may get you started but determination and commitment to becoming a healthier you will carry you through.
Do you know which food plan you are going to follow There is a ton of information about many different food plans on this site. Pick a plan that fits in your lifestyle and you can follow long term. I chose calorie counting because it is free and flexible. It allows me to eat almost anything I wanted as long as it fits within my calorie range for the day and there are ton of free apps out there to help you track your food.
Give up the sugary drinks and drink lots and lots of water.
Incorporate some exercise into your weekly routine. You do not have to join an expensive gym try to walk more, use the stairs more, download videos off of YouTube or Hulu.com to work out to. There are a lot of things you can to do with spending a ton of money.
Lastly, if you have a bad meal, a bad day, heck, a bad food week. Do NOT let this be a reason to throw in the towel. Get back on track at the next meal. You can do this!!!
Best of luck to you!