Hi everyone!
I'm new to weight loss forums, and was so glad to come across this one. Looking through the posts, everyone seems really lovely!

I have reached a point in my life where I NEED to start losing some weight! I've always been slightly overweight for my age and height, but have reached my highest weight ever this week.
I'm 24, 5"3 and weigh 200lbs as of yesterday. I'm unhealthy, unfit, and severely unmotivated!
I have successfully lost weight in the past, doing every single diet imaginable! The one that worked best for me was the Atkins diet, but it wasn't long term! As soon as I started eating normally the weight just piled back on. I've tried calorie counting, low fat diets, weight watchers, slimming world.. I'm now currently working my way through Andy Puddicombe's book about mindful eating, and that is helping me to change my outlook on food and realise the kind of relationship I have with it..but I feel like I need to be in contact with people that are in the same boat as me.
My boyfriend is trying to lose weight too but as with every relationship.. one of you suggests a takeaway and the other gives in..and the diet goes out the window! So he's not the best support network for me at the moment.
I'm hoping that some of you lovely people would be willing to join me on my journey and spur me on! I will obviously return the favour and do the same!
Thank you!
Shakira xo

Hi Shakira Im Marie, 28 years old and Im from Montreal, Canada.
I am 5'3" as well and currently weight 199.2 (finally got rid of that 200something). Oh and my boyfriend needs to lose around 20-30 pounds. We need to stop buying food outside of the house but every other day one or the other is gonna buy some junk or donuts.. Bahh.

Seems like we have a lot in common

We need to save money as well so we pack our lunch for work in the morning with ealthy food and snacks. We have a 15 months old baby girl so the schedule is crazy sometimes. Plus, my boyfriend is studying for a master so i feel like a single mom on week nights.

I lost only about 5 pounds in october.. I plan on losing another 5 in november.
I think i should give myself a break of dieting in the weekends (but still pay attention to what i eat). Having a toddler, its gonna be easier for all of us with that option.

What is the hardest part of dieting for you?

Hi Shakira

Welcome!

Just wanted to chime in and give a quick tip about the takeaways. I've pretty much gone off them altogether, mainly because I know I can cook the same type of stuff that tastes better and is much healthier (I've also started to really enjoy cooking as a result!).

One thing that has really helped me out is to prepare in advance. Use the power of your freezer!!

I literally spend an hour every other Sunday afternoon and bulk cook a couple of meals, then stick them in the freezer. Then, on the nights where I just really can't be bothered to cook, or other things just seem to get in the way, I can just nip to the freezer, stick one of the prepared meals in the microwave for a few minutes. Then voila, a healthy filling meal for the evening.

I've actually found it less effort on those evenings than having to order a takeaway.

In terms of sticking to a preparation schedule it can help if you can make it a little bit of a social activity. So I prepare meals with my wife now and we hold each other to account to make sure we do it. So for you, if you can get your boyfriend on board then make a bit of a event out of it.

Welcome, Shakira1201!

Sounds like you're on the right track with looking into mindful eating. As far as diet goes, the best diet is the one you're not on, so that there's no 'eating normally' afterward. If there are foods that you love that aren't the healthiest, find ways to make them healthier at home. Let yourself have the takeaway, but maybe have a smaller serving than you normally would, and supplement with a big serving of veggies. Just my two cents, hope it helps!