[thesep]

Hello everyone. I'm from Northwest Ohio, Toledo to be specific. I found this community while browsing through Livejournals of similar topic and interests.

Now, about weight loss.

I was never a skinny-mini. Even in high school I was a size 14+/-, but as we all know, the magic of living happened and soon enough I found myself with 2 kids and an abundance of extra weight. Even still, I maintained to around 140-150 until probably the year 2001. Like many of you I'm not sure precisely what caused it, but one day it was like I woke up and said, "Holy cow!" (literally.) My mom died in 2000, and we moved twice in 2001, there was 9/11, I started going to college, my finances were (and still are) a wreck, and I had very little social activity of any kind. These factors along with the obvious reasons of poor diet and little to no exercise led me to get up to about 260.

My mom was obese after her late 20's until she passed away. I always swore that if I got as big as she was, I'd take my life rather than live as a fat woman. It wasn't just the stigma, it was the way I'd see her huff and puff and the depression I saw that accompanied the condition.

Well soon enough there I was at 260, looking in a mirror and crying. So I started going to the YMCA once in a while. Yadda Yadda, you know - the "well I did three sit ups this week why isn't it working?!!" plan. Anyhow, let me skip ahead.

2003 saw my family moved again within Toledo to a new apartment, third floor. Ugh. The steps would leave me panting. Well to make a long story short, I had this other problem (still do) with my cervical spine and the doctor said yes he could fix it but that if the weight of my breasts was making it worse, it would reoccur unless the boobs went away. I said OOOOOOH sign me up!! So in May of 2004 I got a reduction. 44DD to 36ish C Yipeeeeeeeee!!!
I'd do it again tomorrow! BUT - then all the bulk that had been hidden under the "top rack" showed even more. I felt so rejuvenated, I hit the gym and lost 50 pounds right off. I felt better and was really starting to see some difference. (3X tops to an XL and 20jeans to a 16) - so that was great. Now, due to live difficulties, the ever lacking finances, and general malaise that very well could be depression - I've gained 20 back.

I will not gain back more. Period.

I'm taking Adipex 37.5 mg. - I don't take it every day, nor sometimes do I take the full dose. More on that later.

I take lots of multi-vitamins when I'm in diet mode.
I need to drink a LOT more h20 than I do.
I need to stick to 3x per wk exercise - no matter if it's just walking.

I need friends

Nice to meet you all.

Sorry this is so long. It's 1:30 AM now, and I'm taking my butt to bed.

[lateralus98]

If you want to whip yourself into good shape, I recommend going to an all-women's gym like Curves. I go there 5 - 6x a week and it's great! The women there are very supportive and it's a great way to ease yourself into exercising.

[mette]

Hello thesep, and welcome to 3FC! You’ve come to the right place for support and friends, there are countless forums and groups to join or check out if you want to.
I just wanted to congratulations on losing 50 pounds, and say that I’m sure you’ll fit right in here. What kind of exercise do you do? Do you lift weights?

Are you still in college, and what are you studying? I went back to school at the start of my thirties too: I’m studying psychology, and will hopefully graduate as a clinical psychologist sometimes around Christmas this year. It’s the smartest thing I ever did! I’m in hospital practice this semester, and I love this work.

Like you, and a lot of people on this board, I have a long weight-history too. I’ve been doing yo-yo dieting for years and years, and finally came to the conclusion that the only way to do this was to do it slowly: I’ve lost about 60lbs the last 2 ½ years with long periods of weight maintenance in between losing-weight-periods. Right now I’m struggling to get into losing-weight-mode again and lose the last pounds this summer, but it’s been hard to get started. I have been lifting weights the last year, and it’s the best exercise I’ve ever done! I really, really like it. These days I’m also increasing the cardio to start losing weight.

I’ve been active on 3FC the last year, and the helpful thing for me was to have a small group to belong to: somebody to get to know, to check in with, somewhere to be accountable, have somebody to discuss stuff with, or just to get and give support.
I write in a thread in the Support Group forum called the Pact - http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=51489. (Go to the end of the thread, it's getting long!) We’re trying to deal with the same stuff you are: losing weight, exercise, figuring it all out… Check out the thread and say hello if you want to. It would be very nice to get to know you better!
Other tips: If you’re following a specific diet you’ll probably find a group for that, or you can check out the exercise forum.

Good luck to you!