[mskimberlycait]

Hi everyone!

My name is Kimberly and I have been working on my weight loss for a little over four weeks now. Even though I am very proud of the 23lbs I have dropped so far, I am learning to define myself in terms other than my weight.

I am a 26-year-old girl working as a clinical case manager at a local drug and alcohol rehabilitative facility. I have loved helping people ever since I was a small child, but my job's inherent quality of focusing on other people's problems rather than my own has caused me to really put myself on the backburner over the years. I'm learning to assert my own needs and ensure that they are met before meeting the needs of others!

Right now I am focusing solely on dieting and exercising, improving sleeping habits, and cutting down on other unhealthy behaviors. I could use some support from other ladies requiring large-scale weight loss to get down to their goal weight. It's been hard to find women that aren't shocked to hear that I need to lose over 100lbs.

I can't wait to meet everyone and share in this journey together! I am here to help anyone that needs it and hope others feel the same!

[Jacqui_D]

Hi Kim! No shock here! In fact, we have a 100-lb Club thread and I'm sure they'd love to have you join them! http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/100-lb-club-55/. Congrats on losing 23 lbs so far! And congrats for being so wise at only 26-years-old in realizing there is more to life and health than the number on the scale! I wish you much success!

[Twohundred2lose]

Hi Kim!

I would love to be weightloss buddies. We're the same age and I have 220 to lose! So I have a long way to go as well. I am making small but important changes like cutting out soda, increasing my activity when possible, and eating mosly clean whole foods. I am pregnant currently so I can not go extreme in my exercise or cut calories, but these changes alone will allow me to safely lose weight and become healthier.

I knew I had to do something now rather than use my pregnancy as an excuse to prolong my unhealthy lifestyle! If you want to connect through email or myfitnesspal I'd love that!

[Candygirl10]

Hello ladies I am new to this forum and have been feeling extremely down lately due to my weight. I have seriously considered weight loss surgery I've decided to do this the old fashioned way one last time and if I don't succeed I'm not really sure what to do next.ive lost 70lbs about 10 yrs ago on Atkins and then my bro was killed and food was my comfort I am feeling so discouraged at this point in my life I'm 40 yrs old and have a wonderful husband and a 7 yr old but I also have high blood pressure and some minor heart problems.losing weight will save my life. I hope this forum will give me the encouragement I need. Btw I strength train 3-4 x a week and stay within a 2000 calorie range. I'm considering Atkins again but I love fruit and high protein lo carb requires no fruit.heelp any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Jacqui_D]

CandyGirl, Since you mentioned high blood pressure, minor heart issues, and a love of fruit, you might want to consider the Mediterranean Diet. Here's a link to a Mayo Clinic article about it: http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-li...t/art-20047801, and here's a link to our 3FC Mediterranean Diet Forum: http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/sono...nean-diet-188/. I don't know how active the forum is, but you can take a look around and see! I want to give you one more link. This is to 3FC member KissKiss's goal thread: http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/goal...299-135-d.html. She did it (and has maintained her lower weight), and so can you! Don't be discouraged! Be excited! At 40, you have no idea how young you really are, but you are, and you are about to become a whole new healthier you!