hey :)
 

Hello to everyone!

My name is Channon and im a 20 yo from Toledo Ohio looking to lose weight. Somehow when I wasnt looking I gained 100 lbs.... taking me from an ideal 140 all the way to 240. It seems to have just happened overnight.... or in the course of 3 years but whatever the case it shouldnt have happened at all!

I really really really NEED to lose this weight... I feel so unhealthy! I hate looking at pics of myself, I feel winded after walking up a flight of stairs, and Im no longer comfortable in my own skin.

Im also engaged.... Im not getting married until im done with college in 06. I want to lose this weight by my wedding which will be in 2007... so im giving myself 2 years to lose about 100 lbs..which i dont think is too bad.

My background : really outgoing, easygoing, loves to laugh.... im a preschool teacher's assistant and full time student ... i love spending time with my friends, family and my fiancee ... dislikes:rude ignorant people

So i want to lose 100 lbs... but to be honest any amount would be nice!
So Im looking for acouple things:

1. a weight-loss buddy ... someone with a similar weight loss goal or background who can encourage me and i can in return motivate them.

2. ideas for what i can do.... whats worked for you??? im sorry but im not willing to try anything low carb... i know i would be setting myself up for failure.

Well this is long enough for now... so i guess ill just see what happens!

Hello and Welcome!!! My name is Sunshine I am 25 and I need to lose at least 100lbs! Good Luck with your weight loss!! You can do it!! If you need a buddy I will gladly be yours!!

awesome! thanks for the welcome! what plan are you following????

I am just eating low fat or fat free foods and exercising!! I weighed today and lost another 3 lbs so I have lost 24 lbs since March 25!! What are you doing?

I think that "just" eating that way is one of the most sensible ways to go. That is what I am doing now, after years of trying plans, and I've never gotten as good a results as I am now. I think that the nice thing of not being on a specific plan is that it isn't as easy to "break" the diet. If I overeat one day or meal, eh, big deal. I'll make it up later.

This is a way of life I can see myself doing for a very long time.

Nope same here!! It is easy on low fat diet and lots of good food!! I to could do this forever!

Hi ladies!

I picked up "The Idiots Guide to Weight Loss" and what was written in it finally hit me - eat on a scale of 0-5 (out of 0-10). 5 being satasified, 0 hungry, and 10 "stuffed"; and only eat when you are hungry. I think I put on 20 pounds this last year eating at times "I should be eating". If you are not hungry don't eat. If you are hungry eat. Also... the book mentioned that your stomach is as big as your fist, so only try to eat that amount. I eat out ALOT at restaurants and have had to reteach myself - 1. It's ok to just eat a side salad. 2. It's oik to split a meal. 3. It's ok to not eat it all and NOT take home a doggie bag. I have ALOT of work to do myself, and I thank the powers above for finding this site. I am sooo happy to finally know there are women out there who feel the exact same way that I do!!!

I lost just over 100 pounds, and it took right around 2 years to do it. I think you need to couple both eating right with regular exercise. I started first by just eating right (whole grains, fruits, veggies, lean meat & lots of water), and I was losing weight, but very slowly. So about a year later, I added exercise and lost twice as much in the same amount of time. As I got closer to goal, I had to start watching my calories as well and kept them around 1300 to 1400 a day, as it got harder and harder to lose at that point. You might stall out a time or two, I did. But keep at it, change your exercise routine, change your diet a bit and try to kickstart the loss again.

I would not suggest a totally fat free diet BTW. I was doing that at first until I found out that it's not actually very healthy. Stay with lowfats, but you really need some fats in your diet.

I watch the entire label nowadays. I try to keep the carbs reasonably low, sat. fats and sodium low, while keeping the protein and fiber high. I hardly ever use salt now (used to be a saltaholic), opting instead for Mrs. Dash or other spices, but using sea salt when I must have some salt. And I switched to olive oil over vegetable and then canola.

Never skip a meal, and in fact, try having 5 or 6 smaller meals throughout the day rather than 3 larger ones.