Jill, good for you for adding exercise in and making it a fun part of your regular activity! Easing into it is a smart choice. Some people never do a traditional 'workout' and remain very fit. Whatever works, right?

Misti and Wyllen, please don't apologise for the long posts...what you have to say helps us all!

Vilandra, way to go, staying OP! Fill us in when you have your weigh in;I am sure your efforts will show up!

Goingtolose and Too, let us all know how you are doing

Hi Xena and Kim and everyone else (just gettng to know y'all and that's everyone on this page I think!)

I have been on my program, doing what I need to do to keep motivated (coming here, working out, eating well).

I am really excited about a new development- I auditioned for a program that will give me a personal trainer 3 times a week, a specific diet plan tailored to me, exercise DVD's and a new type of fitness equipment and I was chosen!

Yes, I will be on an informercial! You know, the individual attention I'll be getting, the support and the fact that I will be on television is the extra incentive I need to jump start my wellness! The 'Biggest Loser' it isn't, but hey, I'll take what I can get!

It's an 8 week plan and I intend to make the most of it. I already have been working out every day, counting calories and sticking to a whole foods menu...the difference now is I will get a free personal trainer, 3 times a week for 8 weeks! I am so happy about this.

When I went to audition, I was the biggest woman there and thought that perhaps they wouldn't pick me because, being an infomercial project (we've all seen the 'before and after' shots) that only would be following my progress for only 8 weeks, I thought they's want someone who would be able to say "I tried this program and now I weigh 123 pounds!" and that is NOT me! I'll still be FAT even if I lose 40 pounds with them!

Well, I kept an open mind about it and did a great job in my interview and I am glad I acted confident and positive, because they were very impressed with me! The trainer said that when he showed my taped interview to the client, they said 'She is absolutely beautiful!' That made me feel so good! Here I was, thinking that I was possibly too fat for them and they think I am beautiful! (I know the two aren't mutually exclusive but, this is TV we are talking about and the standards they have are different, ya know?).

So, I am even more PUMPED UP than before!

It gets better...the trainer is well-known in Canada for starting a Plus-Sized TV show and Wellness program and is a plus-sized advocate! He told me that he doesn't care if I lose 5 pounds on this program and that what is important to him is that my life is changed in a positive way from the experience. It's like an answered prayer, it really is.

So, I'll stop rambling and say this- Let's make ourselves the priority, Ladies!

Kim -- I just want to add that I have certainly had days where I ate things I hadn't wanted to or more than I wanted to! Having a deficit doesn't mean it was always a big one, and there's still a lot of room for mistakes...

Xena -- Sanity is big with this process for me. I didn't want to lose the focus on other things that are important to me. In fact, I started all of this in part so that I could go more places and do more stuff and feel better. Then I went through a phase where I felt like all I did was work, exercise, cook, work and sleep. Not the balance I wanted.

And I just heard about Steve Irwin too! How sad!

Yes I might do that too when I am a bit farther along... to be honest, right now I am not sure I could trust myself to do that anyway. You are quite a ways ahead of me!

And I think STUCKEDNESS is a GOOD word

Christmas is not that far away. LOL one of my friends at work is trying to convince me to jazz myself up and go to the office Christmas party... I have never gone. I don't really want to go and am still too fat to really look good... I have to make a decision as to whether or not I am going to let her talk me into going.

Another reason I don't want to go is the location... they have it in downtown Seattle usually which is NOT a pleasant drive with all the downtown traffic. We shall see.

well i must admit i am proud of myself for doing my exercise today.. and so far all i have had is a little bit of yogurt. but i do need to go eat some dinner so i guess i will have a ww meal. it sure feels good to be on program and also feel pretty good for a change!Ammi where are you today? .. must be playing on the DS!

Hi I Am A Newbie To Your Sight And I Want To Join Your Support Group. My Name Is Stacey, Right Now I Weigh 383, I Was On The South Beach Diet But Instead Of Losing I Gained, I Need All The Support And Help I Can Get.
Thank You
Stacey

Hi Stacey

Yay I am so glad you found your way to our forum! This is the neatest support group EVER and we are happy to have you as a part of it. Yeeks no fun gaining on your plan! But hey, I am sure you will find what works and is right for you! And it's a good idea to make yourself mini goals... such as 10 pounds, etc... rather than focus on the biggie amount you want to lose! That way you set attainable goals and see your progress along the way.

Please feel free to share more as you are comfortable! Maybe some of the input here can help you find the right plan for you. What are you doing for exercise?

Oh... and did we say it? Don't think so... but GET A PEDOMETER that registers both your total steps and aerobic steps. The Omron HJ-112 is the best in my opinion. You may have to order it from Amazon... I did even though I live in a large metro area; I could not find it elsewhere. But it is a great motivator.

Well I did it...i dug up my tape Bellydancing for fitness too hip- I haven't tried it since I bought it, since when i tried (400+pounds and never worked out) I couldn't make it past the first combination. I figured, what the heck, i haven't tried for a while and I've been doing thehip hop classes now, so maybe i can make it half way. and I did! I made it through the whole thing! It was challenging, like a work out should be, but not once did I feel like it was too much- in some ways it was even easier than what I normally do- I didn't realize I had come so far in my fitness! Okay- I have to go take a shower (sweaty), but couldn't wait to share!

Stacey! You must have posted while I was- but yes please join us! This support group is great- you find yourself more motivated and determined, I know I have done so much better this time around, and I know I owe it to these wonderful ladies!! As you get more comfortable with everyone feel free to ask questions- you'll get lots of answers to help you find the best solution for yourself. We all have different plans that are working for us- so with all those options you'll find something for yourself!! Welcome!

Yay Kim!

You go, Girl!

Wyllen-- Congrats on the 100 pound lost! I am so happy and excited for you!. I can't wait to the day when I can say I have lost 100 pounds. I have eight pounds to go before I make it there. It will be one year for me on September 10, I am going to try to make it but more than likely I will miss my mark by at least 2-3 weeks. However that is ok because I have come so far.

Xena- Thanks. I am feeling much better today. I am just really missing my husband. I have been doing my exercise 20 minutes a day and studying to take my mind away. It is just this really long weekend without him the kids are being kids (active) so that helps as well.

Kimberly- Wow I am so happy for you --- 18 pounds gone already. You are melting away. Just stick to your plan you are doing so good. I am thinking about changing my plan again.. Not sure why but changing my plan every couple of months or so is what works for me. I always stick with maybe 3-4 plans and just keep going back to them. Sounds silly doesn't it--but it works for me.

Everyone else congrats on the weight losses and staying OP.

Hello Stacey-- and WELCOME.... You are going to love this site. One day at a time and you can do it! When I started I was 381 pounds and it has been a wonderful year for me filled with lots of great times as each pound has come off. Congrats on finding this site. I look forward to getting to know you and cheering you on along the way.

thank you all for welcoming me, i am looking forward to your all of your advice. How often do we weigh in and what plan is everyone on. i tried south beach followed it faithfully no cheating and i gained 8lbs and 2 inches around the middle. I am seriously looking into weight watchers. but i have pcos so i know how difficult it can be for me to lose weight. i went to my doctor friday and i told him how i changed my eating habits and started exercising instead of losing weight i gained, he told me to give it 6 months and i will see a difference i said well it has been 4 months and i only gained weight not lost.