I've always had weight problems, since I was very young. I'm currently 19 and I weigh 298lb and am 5'6. I have finally reached a breaking point. I work at in an office and don't have chances to get up from my desk very often. I just joined a gym today and am scared to get started. My only impressions I've ever had of the gym is seeing people's posts saying, 'I don't want fat people in my gym.' I also know that eating healthy can sometimes be very expensive. Does anyone have any suggestions that will help me get over these fears and any cheap recipes that can help me along the way?

Welcome Gracie,

My suggestions to you are:I work at in an office and don't have chances to get up from my desk very often.

• when you go to the bathroom go to the farthest one from your desk to get in extra steps.
• if you don't have alot of time for potty breaks, walk a little more briskly to that far bathroom
• are there stairs at work? can you take them or walk a few sets at lunch time
• come into work 10 minutes early or stay 10 minutes later and walk a loop around the office
• if you drive - park farther away in the parking lot
• one woman I worked with brought a small dumbbell to her desk. When she was on the phone she'd do arm curls. It looked funny at first but we got used to it.
• you might have to get creative but there are ways to get some movement into your day, even if you are at a desk.

As for the gym, I hope you checked it out before you joined up. Many places will let you do a week's trial to check it out. There are gyms for the "body beautifuls" who are there to show off and gyms for the rest of us who are there to get fit and healthy. I think now it's more common to see people who are more focused on their own workout and not there to judge people, but keep in mind there's always going to be "one in the crowd". Don't let anyone get into your head - we all had to start from somewhere. Same for classes if you chose to attend them - take starter classes and if the instructor and participants don't make you feel welcome, then move on and sample something else.

Yep, eating healthy sure can be more expensive than the "dollar menu" at the fast food places but with planning and basic cooking skills (lots of how to videos on you tube, the internet and cooking channels), you can stretch your meals to multiple servings. A rotisserie chicken can be pulled apart to make fajitas/tacos, chicken salad, chopped chicken on a salad, and with a couple of vegetables (onion, celery, carrot), the chicken carcass and some low sodium chicken broth, you can make one last meal of hearty chicken soup. Watch for sales. Buy frozen when fresh is too expensive and shop the sales. Eat as clean as possible - it's the prepackaged convenience foods that are expensive. Sometimes too the stores have a good deal on the Lean Cuisine type meals. Add a homemade salad of greens and a piece of fruit and you can have a good lunch for around 4 bucks.

Good luck in your journey. You'll find lots of great support here.

Hi Gracie, I'm also a newbie to the 3FC and its wonderful to see you have made such positive steps such as joining a gym.
If you find you are having trouble with changiing your food because of exorbitant expenses, just try cutting down the quantity you normally serve yourself and fill the rest of that empty space with drinking more water or perhaps make a filling soup. I've only recently started making a soup that I use as my space filler whenever I feel the urge to eat. It contains lots of water, 1 bag of dried red lentils, 2 finely chopped sticks of celery, 2 finely chopped carrots, 2 chopped onions and some chicken stock powder (its also great to put into a drinking flask for work)

Hi Gracie, welcome to 3FC!

I think there are some blogs around that have recipes for eating cheap and healthy. You might try doing a Google search for some of those.

You may or may not encounter gym snobs. Most people are pretty focused on their own workouts at the gym. If you do run into jerks, just remember: you have just as much right to be there as any other paying customer. The other customers' opinions don't affect that, and you don't have to buy in to put downs or any other rude behavior.

Also, if you want to gain some confidence in doing the exercises correctly and using the equipment, you might consider investing in 1 or 2 personal training sessions.

Well I was 281lbs and 5'8".

At the gym, no one gives a sh!t. 'cos everyone there is there for them with their own issues going on.

On cost, eat less. It saves you cash. No take outs. To eat healthy does cost more (I do that now, after losing). To lose weight costs you less because you eat less.

Job done.

Hey Gracie You began the journey... that is the hardest part. I too am beginning (again and hopefully for the last time) ... and this is my first week on 3FC.

Just a few things...
at work: make a game out of it -- as you type a long email or are on a the phone: hold in your stomach, sit up straight. Once done with email/phone call, stop (this can be done at stop lights too). Set a timer to drink 20oz water every 2 hours. Stretch your calfs at the copy machine. Touch your toes 5 x's in your chair (pretend you're reaching for something). You get the idea.

cheaper food ideas: if you are stuck and hungry - get a side salad and meat w/out the bun. Add the meat to the salad... walla and it's inexpensive.

I hope this helps. It takes a little time to find all the HELPFUL things here on 3FC, I'm still learning... GOOD LUCK and WAY TO GO!!

Hi Gracie! Your story is very similar to mine. At 19 i was also at my highest weight of 298lbs. Also 5'6". Have also had weight problems since childhood <3

You have made a huge step coming here!

These are the most important things I've learned in the time I've been losing:

Take it a day at a time. It's going to seem like a huge insurmountable task. Huge, yes, but definitely not insurmountable. Set yourself some realistic mini-goals for where you'd like to be at intervals, for example, on holidays and special occasions, or once a month.

The time will pass anyway. I've often thought to myself, "This is going to take me such a long time. It'll be years before I get there." The years will pass anyway. You can choose to make them count, though! I started a year ago October. I never thought i'd see my ticker as far down as it is. It really smacked me in the face today! (in the best way!) In 3 months, in 6 months, in a year, you will thank yourself.

Look after yourself. Don't be at war with yourself. I know it's hard. I fought my body for over 10 years. Your weight doesn't define you. You are beautiful in so many ways! Pamper yourself with non food products. Moisturise your skin, use the special shampoo. Paint your nails, wear funky earrings! You don't have to wait til you get to your goal weight to consider yourself beautiful. Tell yourself that you look awesome. I sometimes hug my body and say "You're doing a great job, body! Thank you!".

Eat slowly. Savor your meals and put your fork down between mouthfuls. It's weird at first but I can drag a meal out over 20 minutes now. My mum thinks I have "magic bottomless soup bowls"

You say you are embarrassed and scared. I totally understand. I was there not long ago. I still get there sometimes. Remember that you are in control. It won't be easy, but it will be worth it! I can't emphasize enough not to be ashamed of yourself.

Good luck and spend lots of time here - so many lovely people to help out!

Best of luck and lots of love

Gracie, I'm so proud of you! It's a hard thing to do and you have taken that first big step. My 19 year old daughter just started weight watchers with me and is making those small changes and is seeing success. I can relate to the office thing -- I have very few opportunities to move around so need to do what many of these posters have said... take the long way to the bathroom... choose the stairs, park in a further away spot. I also know what you mean about feeling embarrassed. I gain 30 pounds in just under two years and I KNOW people are looking at me and thinking.. WOW - she sure gained weight. You can do this! How's it going so far? I'm thinking of joining a gym too.

I love this post -- especially the pampering yourself thing and giving your wonderful body credit for the hard work it's doing.

You know what.
My mom used to make this awesomely delicious cabbage soup when I was younger.

She made this when she was on a low carb diet of sorts. It had like canned tomatoes, a head of cabbage, and other canned vegetables. This was important because we were exceedingly poor.

Like, single mother of two, living in public housing, way below poverty level sort of poor.

This was the recipe, and this stuff could sit for a week or so-- it definitely stretched when I wasn't eating it all!!!!

Introduction
cabbage soup, 0 points!
Minutes to Prepare: 10
Minutes to Cook: 30
Number of Servings: 14

Ingredients

Vegetable Broth, 6 cup
Garlic, 4 clove
Tomato Paste, 2 tbsp
Cabbage, fresh, 4 cup, chopped
Onions, raw, 1 medium
Carrots, raw, 1 cup, chopped
Green Beans (snap), 1 cup
Zucchini, 1 cup, sliced
1 can diced tomatoes
Basil, 1 tsp
Oregano, ground, 1 tsp
Salt, 1 tsp
Pepper, black, 1 tsp


Directions
1 Spray pot with non stick cooking spray saute onions carrots and garlic for 5 minutes.
2 Add broth, Tomato paste, cabbage, green beans, basil, oregano and Salt & Pepper to taste.
3 Simmer for a about 5-10 minutes until all vegetables are tender then add the zucchini and simmer for another 5 or so minutes.

** My mom didn't add zucchini. We couldn't afford many fresh vegetables. Unfortunately. However, this soup was amazingly delicious and very, very filling.

Serving Size: 14 1-cup servings

Number of Servings: 14