Hi guys! I'm Alex, I am 23 years old, and from sunny southern california. I am looking to lose about 28 pounds in the next 4 months or so.

A little background on me...I am a southern california girl, born and raised, I LOVE the sun, love to be tan, love the beach, love everything about living here. In my free time I love to scrapbook (its a new hobby, but I am hooked on it). I am very creative and scrapbooking is my outlet, and its also a great stress reliever. I am starting nursing school in about two weeks, so my life is going to change a lot, but I am excited. I spend every moment I can with the love of my life, Michael, and I am pretty sure a sparkly ring is coming in the near future. About my reason for being here...I love fitness and health, I am passionate about it, I love learning everything I can about it, and actually I love to exercise, I just always find other things to do that push the exercise away, hence the reason I am wanting to lose these pounds. 4 years ago I lost 50 pounds, and have kept all but 5 off by just having a semi-healthy lifestyle, but I never got around to losing the last 30 (or 28 to be exact). I have just felt "comfortable" over the last few years and havent really had the drive to stick to a healthier eating plan and exercise plan. I am very knowledgable when it comes to working out, I just dont apply it to my own life. (easier said than done I suppose is the reason for that). I am going on a cruise in May and would love to drop some weight and tone up before then, but would love a buddy who has similar intrests and goals to mine. So, if thats you, send me a message I would love to buddy up with ya!

(not sure what that is but its cute)

Hi Alex, I was just going to start a thread looking for a buddy too, maybe we can team up! I live in jersey by the beach , and I also love surf and sun... although we only get it for about 1/3 of the year here! I'm also into knitting and crafts, and I like to exercise but haven't been doing enough of it. I would like to lose 15-20 lbs. and gain muscle.... the weight just crept on as I was working a desk job and not eating well! I just got married in October to my love and now that the wedding planning is over I have more time to devote to cooking healthy and exercising.

I really want to lose the weight by this summer.... last summer I felt really self conscious on the beach... living in a beach town, we all live in boardshorts and bikini tops... no so great when you have some extra flab Plus I'm in my friend's wedding in August and I want to do the bridesmaid's dress justice, and look good in those pictures!

What type of a plan are you doing, anything in particular?

I am trying to concentrate on mostly veggies, fruits, fish, nuts and whole grains, with meat/dairy used sparingly. I have come to the realization that certain foods CANNOT be in my house.... or I will pig out on them!

Also I am running-- Right now I can do about 2-3 miles.... the trick is doing it more often! I need some consistency.

I also love yoga... I sometimes do a video and sometimes take a class at my gym.

Im not really doing any "plan" I have realized that "diets" really dont work, its all about changing your eating to eat the things you enjoy in moderation, and incorporate healthy food into your diet as well. A typical "good" day for me would be oatmeal or kashi go lean crunch with skim milk for breakfast, an apple and string cheese for a snack, a salad with grilled chicken or a slim fast chocolate shake in the can (i love those), for another snack maybe a handful of almonds or a fruit, and for dinner a lot of times a lean cusine for convinience, or if I can cook then some sort of chicken dish with lots of veggies. and LOTS of water. and I am with you on certain foods not being able to be in the house, I will just flock right to them for a "bite" and end up eating the entire thing!!!!!

p.s. I sent you a personal message too

Hi Blue sky & Alex

I am a 30 mum of 2, just getting into fitness! and finding i do enjoy it a lot.
I love anything i can do! i Kayak, swim, run, weights.. and yes i love the beach (but with 2 kids its hard to get to the beach).
I am trying to build my fitness up to go to the police acedemy, i must pass a fitness test!
Currently i have started running (probably 2-3 miles) and i must really stick into it and make sure i keep up with my plans..

I eat moderately and healthily (i don't believe in "diet") but just try to make better choices. I have lost most of the weight, but really want to tone... I want to be lean, strong, and be able to run 10 km straight...

Maybe we can all boost each other, to getting in and doing what we need to!
Sonja

Hi guys. I am new here and would love to have some buddies! I am 26 years old and married to a great guy. We are currently trying to get pregnant. We miscarried our first in May of 04 and have finally decided to try again. Some how I put on like 20 lbs this year. I know it is because I am happy in my life but now looking at me I am not so happy..lol.. I would love to lose 20-30 lbs but I also know that when I get pregnant I cant really "diet" so I guess I just want to be healthy and lose it the right way. Are you all up for a new buddy?

welcome icedragon and Christian, to our buddy thread!

Looks like none of us is really on "A DIET" (the d-word!) but just exercising and watching what we eat.... trying to make healthy choices!

Christian4HIM, I am sorry to hear of your miscarriage. We all know it happens to a lot of women but that doesn't make it any easier when it happens to you, it must be heartbreaking. You are on a good track by eating healthy and exercising, I hope you and your husband get preg soon!!! We have similar stats.... I am at 135, want to get to 120. I remember feeling really good at 120 back in high school when I was running track.

Let's keep up the good work girls... I ran/walked 3 miles this morning.... feels great! Now if only I could convince myself to get up early and go out into the cold everyday

Hi Everyone.

Miscarriage can be hard! When me and my Dh first were together i fell preg. but it was an accident and we both were shocked, but came to the realisation that having a child would be wonderful! then i miscarried and felt miserable. But now i have 2 DD's and all has worked out in the end. Although i was scared to fall pregnant the second time!

I did a weights workout yesterday, but felt weak! I know that when i am excercising fairly hard, i need to eat more, but i also am worried to gain weight back. For a long time i just sort of gave up on myself, and ate anything, and did nothing. Now i want to do what is best for myself, and work on the fitness, I want to be strong, lean, and be able to go out and be proud of myself.

I have spent the rest of this week, trying to get everyone around to finish off all the christmas food! (the more everyone else eats, the less left in my path! and the less chance of me eating it) I could live happily in a house, with no junk food! but having a family, and a fit DH that can eat anything and not gain an ounce there always is temptation around! my family has never had weight struggles, and has no idea how tempting a block of chocolate sitting in the fridge is for me! I could devour it! (within 5 minutes i am sure). Sometimes i wish i could ban chocolate and chips and biscuits... and anything not healthy!

I tried getting up last winter (we are now in summer) and went for a run and nearly died! It was hard breathing in the cold air, i was hot and the air was ice! it nearly had me collapsing in pain! (kinda like an ice headache in the lungs!)

Buddying Up sounds pretty cool. I'm new here, and I know I'll need all the encouragement I can get, not to mention someone to help keep me in check; yes I'm that bad. Sort of. But serious, if there's someone that would like to buddy-up, let's go for it and see if we can get rid of some of this stuff.
Thank you for posting and suggesting.

I think this is a great place for me. I am starting to hit the gym today. I've put it off since the holidays, but now I'm going to get serious about it. A little about me: 26 years old, I got engaged in September to a beautiful man that can eat anything and not gain anything! We are getting married in October, so I want to lose some weight before then. I am really having a hard time because I've really never had an issue with weight. I think my metabolism has slowed down a bit these last few years and I have slowly gained weight and "love handles" that just don't look so hot in a swim suit. I would like to lose some weight and tone everything up. I graduated VSU in December and have since started a desk job. This has to be the worst thing a woman can do to lose weight!!! I work with some great people, but everyone loves to eat out daily. If we are not eating out for lunch we are bringing food in...and these ladies can cook.

I would love to be included in this group if there is room for one more. I need motivation and inspiration. It's so hard to force myself to go to the gym after I've spent 10 hours at my desk. But, I am going to do it. (Hopefully with your help!)

Hello to everyone...

I just have to boast!
I ran most of 5.5 km today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(took 40 min, of which only 6 minutes was walking!!!!!!)

That just blows me away!!!! I have never run much in my life, and thought the 4km cross country runs during school were ****!!!!!!!

We can do anything if only we put our minds to it!

Icedraggon,

That is great!! Congratulations. That is really something to be proud of. Everytime I push myself really hard I feel great afterwards. Keep it up!

Hi everyone. I'm new here and needing some motivation/support about losing weight. I live in the cold Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Spending much time outside going for walks, etc, during these months isn't what I call a joy. I have been trying to motivate myself to go to the YMCA every day.

I am a fulltime student and stressing it is. I will be officially done with college summer 2006 with a Bachelor's in Nursing. Never thought I'd be back to school since I have a past degree in Criminal Justice and getting older...29 My daughter inspired me to go for nursing, since she is legally blind and hypopituitary (meaning hormonal issues requiring daily oral medication and shots).

Pregnancy did a toll on my body. I am about 80 pounds heavier than I was before I got pregnant and 6 years later, I am still fighting with the weight. Her dad and I are getting married next July1, 2006..we have been together for 10 years. Everything is set up, even my dress is hanging up waiting for me. The dress actually is something I bought about 7 years ago, in my PRE- pregnancy weight. Now you can see the urgency for me to lose weight.

80 pounds in 6 months+ seems impossible or unhealthy to go so quick, but I am looking for it to go quick now and then looking afterwards to maintain it. I hear about how low carb diets stink and such. I have been on them before and sadly, I am partially on it now. I need quicker results. I also, though, am watching my calories (mostly), making sure I get good protein in me, and good amounts of fiber. More fruits, veggies and exercise. I just need some support to get through this and I will offer my support back.

Thanks so much!!

valrn,

I think we can support each other. I am also getting married in 2006. I went and tried on dresses and I just felt horrible. I actually forced myself to go to the gym last night and I feel so much better. It is so hard to make myself go when I get off work, but it has to be done. Today has been hard I must admit. One of the wonderful ladies I work with brought in a peanut butter cake and it is screaming my name!!! lol I'm trying not to listen. What exercise program are you using? Congrats on the second degree. Nursing is a tough program.

Amanda

Hi Ms. Gehlhausen,

When next year are you getting married? Congrat's!!

My worst problem is chips. They haunt me! LOL I have always been so addicted to them. In highschool, I never had any problems because I was very active in basketball, but then over the years and then with the birth of my daughter, I just couldnt hide what chips can do to ya.

I don't have a "real professional" exercise program. I think it's okay. I know a combination of cardiovascular and weight training is a good key to help with weight loss, combined with cutting calories (and if want carb's, fat's) and drinking lots of water. I Went to the YMCA Wednesday and Today! I will be trying to go everyday though. I do about 45-50 minutes on the treadmill at a pace of about 3.8-4.2 mph. I started Wednesday with 3.8- 4.0 mph. Shin splints and being out of shape prevented me from going any faster. Today I did 4.0-4.2 mph and felt pretty good. Some shin splints on and off. Hopefully I can start slow jogging in the near future. Then, I do only about 15 minutes of weight lifting. That is all I have time for. I do upper body mostly (and abdomen) since the treadmill does a lot of lower body. I work my pectoral muscles (muscles in the front chest), deltoids (shoulders) and triceps. I also work the rectus (stomach muscles) and the sides of my stomach. I did this type of workout in the past and lost quite of bit of weight. I also try to walk outside if I can. Then again, it's cold here in Michigan. What about you? Do you have a certain plan?
My daughter's Endocrinologist Doctor also gave me a plan for weight loss. I am quite a bit heavier for you, so your plan would be different. He told me to limited Calories to 1800 calories a day, focusing on low glycemic index foods (I am not diabetic, but it helps to eat foods that will process slower and not mess with your blood sugar and insulin), 46-52 grams of fat a day and walk as fast as I can for 45 minutes 6-7 days a week.