[EStew]

Hello, my name is Em. I am 15 (16 in 6 months!) I began my journey 2 summers ago (June 2011). Weighed over 200 pounds at 5'7. I have always had a very healthy and supportive mum and dad. I was never expected to lose weight or put on diets. At 2 I was diagnosed with lukemia. I went through chemo and other treatments and I was cancer free a little over a year later. Docters contributed some of my excess weight to that however my diet was the shits, cookies and bread were my best friend. I was very active but I enjoyed the food much more. I was not super self concious with my weight or looks and did not have any social problems so the weight didnt ever bother me.
I cant remember what happened in June of 2011. All I know is that, I stepped on to my mums treadmill and walked for 30 mins 5-7 days a week. I went cold turkey on all the crap. I ate a little less at meals and rode my horse a little longer. About 30 pounds fell of in two months and by the time school hit in September I looked completly different, friends I hadnt seen, didn't reconize me and I got notes and compliments on how awesome I looked. I was still however, overweight. So from October 2011 until June 2012 I did four different JM DVDS (I completed Shred it with weights and ripped in 30, WOO!) And commited to calorie counting. I lost about 10 more pounds. In July and August 2012 I ran outside 3-4 times a week and really enjoyed it. I don't know if I lost any weight but I felt awesome. School rolled around again and I ran a little less, but still lost about 5lbs. November 1st 2012 I bought a gym membership and go there 3-4 days a week and pump iron. I still eat healthy and watch my calories but I focus on eating more natural foods.

My lowest weight was about 166 at 5'8. Im 5'9 now and hover around 170 since I started at the gym (Is that odd?) By September 2013 I want to be at 159lbs however, I dont watch the scale, I weigh in occasionally and watch how my clothes fit.

I am excited to gain some information on the forum, thanks for reading!

[penmage]

Hi Em! Welcome to 3FC. Congratulations on the weight you've lost so far- that's an awesome accomplishment! Good luck with the rest of your journey

[Mozzy]

Welcome and good luck on your journey!

[tiawyn]

Welcome! I am also new here. It's great that you aren't focusing on the number on the scale, but focusing on how you feel and how clothes fit. To me, the number doesn't really matter. Use the gym to gain some muscle to burn more fat Good luck!

[BillBlueEyes]

Welcome, Em, it's super to read that you're concentrating on your eating, exercising, and fit of clothes rather than the scale. Hope the snow isn't keeping you off that horse.

3FC has many forums centered around diets, interests, and age groups. Feel free to look around to find the group that matches your interests. There are some Jillian Michaels fanatics posting regularly - particularly the shredders.

The youngest named age group is
.................20 somethings -
you'll find some teens hanging out there - or at least looking there for other teens.

Good luck with your school year and your journey.

[ataraxia3]

Welcome Em!! Hope to see you around the forum

[PamC]

Welcome Em, it sounds like you are doing all the right things!

[lmmuzquiz]

Hey Em! Welcome aboard from a fellow newbie! Positive thoughts, determination and commitment! (Commitment to jump back on the wagon when we fall off too!!)

[EStew]

Thanks everyone!