[Zetara]

Well I just joined because I recently looked at the scale and I'm at a whoping 350lbs for a 15 year old. My name is Natalie and I want to live a healthy life. I've decided I want to lose a ton of weight and I have the patience I need. Right now my small goal is to lose the 50 pounds I gained since I last looked at a scale.

My biggest problem is I eat a ton while laying in bed before going to sleep. I don't exercise a ton but I do normally walk to and from school.

I was thinking some 10 or 5 minute stretches before and after I get home would be a great way to lose some weight. I hope you all can suggest a few things!

[heartinoregon]

Hello and welcome! (: I am new here too.

First off congratulations on wanting to make some changes towards a healthy lifestyle. It's great to start off making small goals. I also suggest making small changes at first too to avoid getting overwhelmed. I would start with trying to eat less at night right before bed. I think a little exercise is also a great start. Try taking the longer way home when walking from school, and if you watch TV try doing 5 sit-ups during each commercial break. Whatever you do my point is that making small changes will definitely go a long way. Welcome and keep us posted on your journey.

[Fatness]

Welcome.. Best of luck on your weight loss

[Misti in Seattle]

Hello and welcome. Congrats on wanting to get started on the weight loss.

My big weakness, too, was night eating. Breaking that habit was not easy but was one of the smartest things I've ever done. That can really pack on the pounds.

Glad you have joined us.

[Lakilaulea]

Welcome, Natalie! It's great that you're taking control at such a young age! I agree with everyone else's suggestions; start small. Set small goals. My total weight loss goal is 70lbs., but I only focus on 5lbs. at a time so I don't get discouraged. Eating right before bed was a big thing for me for years. I couldn't help but snack on something while watching tv on the couch 10 minutes before bed. Since stopping that one thing, I've managed to get a better control of my weight and get better sleep to boot. Set a goal for each week--like how far you wanna walk or how many situps/pushups you want to do and go from there. You can get a pedometer at CVS or Walgreens for pretty cheap and that'll let you keep track of how many steps you've taken in a day. Make little goals based off that; like, say you wanna take 10,000 steps a day and build up from there. Small changes over time make weight loss more successful, and more importantly, more sustainable in the long term. Check out a our challenges threads and join in if you find any interesting. They've really helped to keep me motivated and on track. Good luck and I hope to read up on your progress!