I am new here and looking for a weight loss buddy to keep me inspired to trade my "bad" habits for "healthier" ones. I have been on and off diets since, well I honestly can't remember when I started. I am a 30 y/o living in the south with the same food woes as everyone else. It has been my friend that turns my waist and thighs into aliens. I have been doing pretty good since Jan 2005 with my resolution, I have lost about 25 pounds, but with summer here, I am losing momentum since I have not achieved my goal. I just want to get off the yoyo and stop worrying about it.

First of all, let me say congrats forl the 25 pounds you did loose! That is no small feat! But I know with the warm weather comes the shorts and sleeveles tops and every thing shows. But don't be discouraged, you will loose the rest. And summertime is easier, with all the fresh salads and fruits coming into season. Bad habits are hard to break. They say it takes 90 days of doing something else to change. But it's never too late to start working on it. Warm weather means it's easier to get outside and stay busy too. God for a walk, take the kids to the park, just play. You can't rush the weight loss but you can realize that every day you are getting better! Just think where you will be this time next year? How you will look at Christmas!!!If you still want a buddy you can e-mail me at [email protected]

Thanks for the encouragement! It is hard to look at far I have come when I look ahead and see how much farther I still have to go! What "diet" are you on at present? Me? I am always reading on the fads and trying them out, but I am trying to keep myself focused on moderation and exercise.

I just watch calories. I've dieted for so long that I know how, sometimes I jsut don't!! I theink WW is the healthiest. I don't like the fad diets, especially low carb., even though I know a lot of people who have lsot weight with it. I don't think it's healthy. I ralked to the nutrtionists at work and she agrees. I walk every day at least 30 min. and I lift hand weights. I don't go to a gum. I had memeberships in the past and never used them. I think you have to find something easy, that you don't mind doing, and stick with it! I asked one of the Doctors at work what he was doing to loose weight and he said "not eating". There is no easy way. Years of eating all the wrong things gets to be a habit. But you can change habits and I am determined to.
How much do you have to loose?

Well, I would like to lose 39 pounds, my goal is to weigh 125. The "lightest" I have been in my adult life is between 140-145, which was about 5 or 6 years ago. I maintained for a couple of years, yoyo-ing a little, then I fell off the wagon but held on for a while... Then all my clothes didn't fit and I let go and went up a size. I tried WW, but the meetings were not productive for me. I wanted to talk with the other dieters instead of being talked to by the WW-ers. I try to eat "right", but somehow during the day a "crisis" arises and my body screams CHOCOLATE!!! Then I feel guilty and my grasp slips on the wagon. I exercise sporadically, I walk, bike, and a variation of yoga, pilates, and aerobics. I hear you on the gym. One is the cost and finding time to go and two is that I am too self concious to enter the door. Where are you on the weight journey?

Hi, I hear you about the yo-yo! I've lost and gained the same 15 pounds a million times. I just can't keep it off. I am getting to the end of my journey now. I've lost about 20 pounds and only have about 5 more to go, so of course, it's the hardest 5! The problem is keeping it off, and i'm determined to keep it off this time. I love chocolate too, and the only way to keep the temptation from getting the best of me is to have a small amount every day! Other wise I will just keep eating because i'm not satisfied! I have one small fun bar or a jello pudding with a spoon of whipped cream. I knew of can have one every day and look forward to it. Usually in the afternoon when I want a snack I will have a cup of tea or coffee and a piece of chocolate! Yum! keeps me sane.

WAY TO GO!!! You have done a great job!!!! I know that the last few pounds are a pain.... But well worth it!!! You should plan something special for yourself as a reward for all your hard work. And we all know that "dieting" is extremely hard work! LOL Me and chocolate are the same way. Sometimes I can go days almost a week without it sometimes, but then I get stressed and I binge. I should try your approach, eat a little everyday to cure me. I truly need to get a handle on my intake situation. I have recently moved and I am looking for a new job and have not devoted time to myself. Sometimes, I feel guilty for taking time out for me. But I think I need to get real and realize that I am an important investment and that the debits and credits I have for myself are only going to reward or penalize me. But then I think that I internalize too much. I am my own worst critic. Do you keep a daily food diary/log to keep track of your consumption throughout the day? Or do you try to keep a mental tally?

Hi, Don't be so hard on yourself! It's not being selfish to take care of yourself, it's smart! You have more energy to do the things that have to be done.

I make a menu every week before I go shopping. I make 3 meals a day plus the snacks. That way I can buy every thing I need and don't have to go back to the store and be tempted. And the food I need is there in the house so I have no excuses either! It also saves money! I don't buy a lot of things that don't get eaten. I also plan for the treats. If i'm going to be going to the mall I make sure I leave room in the menu for for the frozen yogurt with the fruit that I love. That will be my lunch!

Looking for a job is very stressful, and so is moving. You are proballyeating from nerves. I know I would be!! But do take the time to exercise and take care of yourself!

What type of work are you looking for?

Talk to you soon, Freda