I've tried it all. From diet pills, to very expensive pre-portioned meals. It either hasn't worked, or it made me broke.

I just want something simple. Something realistic. I don't want to be some itty bitty, I just want to feel healthier, and feel good.

And then I stumbled across this website. It's hard to set up a support structure around me. My fiance "loves [me] the way [I] am," and my family thinks "[I'm] just a little bit over weight, no big deal."
I want honesty, with a little bit of understanding.

And I want to learn. I want the knowledge that will get me to where I need to go, and to stay there.

So I figure with support and knowledge, I will be more successful at reaching my goal.

This is my breaking point. I'm ready!

Welcome Mande!
You'll certainly find the support you need to get healthy. There are so many different areas in the forum where you can get information. Try the calorie counters or whole foods area. Don't be afraid to join in anywhere! Start a thread with questions and you'll be amazed at the wonderful tips you'll get!

Welcome! I'm glad you've found us. I think the first step, the one that started straightening me out, is to write down every bite you eat for a few days. This will give you a good idea of where your problems are. Just doing that helps me cut back, because I don't want to write down too much junk!
My other advice is not to get overwhelmed with information and complicated plans, spend some time looking around here and deciding on a course of action.
When you're sick and tired of being sick and tired, you finally take action!

I've done all the gimmicks, diet pills ect too. Its a bummer they dont work...but then again, if they did, none of us would be here.

I have tried to find something that i can live on the rest of my life. I HAVE TO have carbs, so something like Atkins would never work for me. Plus as soon as you say i cant have something...that just makes me want it. So for me, calorie counting works best. That way, i can have a little bit of whatever...therefore i dont HAVE to have anything. Weight watchers is good for that too if you need accountability. they have nothing off limit...just moderation.

But what are your dieting needs/likes/dislikes?

Someone had a good recommendation of writing down everything you eat...i bet you will be amazed at much you actually eat, and how little exercise you actually get. I go to fitday.com and write down everything that goes in my mouth. I found out that what was killing me were condiments and sweet tea...little bits of mayo here, cheese there, butter, oil...i had probably 1000 cals in just condiments and sweet tea a day...just rediculous.

On the other side, there is exercise. There is no easy trick to this either. I hit the gym 5 days a week. I work 30 minutes on weights and 30 minutes on the ellipitical. I worked up to this and i dont like it any more now than i did when i started. There are days i hate every second of it. There are days i need it to get rid of stress that i would otherwise literally eat away. Just know that exercise, even though its not always what we want to do, is key to health and weight loss.

Just know too that motivation comes and goes....motivation gets you started but drive and determination get you there. Good luck and feel free to private message me any time or reply here. We are close in weight and have a similar goal weight, my ultimate goal weight is 145.

God made our bodies so well that it will run on almost any junk we put in it! But to run well, we need good nutrition. Make a decision to eat healthy. Make a menu and stick to it. Empty the junk from your refrigerator and cabinets and buy good, nutritious food.

Our bodies were made to move and work. With all the modern conviences we have now that doesn't get done a lot either. Think about the work our ancestors had to do to make a meal. Now we go to the store and often buy it premade and stick it in the micro-wave. MOVE...any way you like, but try to find something you enjoy. Take a walk, dance, exercise...just move.

you can do this!