[AutumnHarvest]

Hello all!

I'm so happy that I found this community!

I am 5'11, and I currently weigh 245 lbs. I reached my top weight of 270 in the fall of last year, and I decided that enough was enough. So, I started with small changes. I cut out all soda, since diet tastes like death in a glass to me. I started parking at the back of parking lots and biking short distances. With these simple changes, I lost 25 lbs in 5 months!

I know that I can do better than that, though.

I like to think that I'm pretty "fat-positive", but the truth is that there are a lot of things I don't do because I'm not happy with how I look. If I were thinner, I would do the things I want to do, like swim , bike and just generally be more active. How funny that the things I would do if I were thinner are the things that would make me thinner!

I think that my complete goal may be to weigh 145. For now, however, my goal is to weigh 220. Another 25 lbs. After all, a total loss of 50 lbs is nothing to blow your nose at.

The next lifestyle changes that I'm ready to accept are:

• joining the gym tomorrow
• going to the gym 5 days a week
• snacking on vegetables
• starting the day off with a good breakfast

There are so many inspirational stories on this forum, and I hope that I might become one of them.

[WebRover]

Wow. You are doing great! I like your approach of taking steps to your goal. This is already an inspirational story.

[rockinrobin]

Hi there and WELCOME to 3FC and the 100lb club!!!!

Forget about "fat-positive", though it's DEFINITELY the right attitude and the right FEELING (yay!), we're also concerned about HEALTH. And getting down to a healthy weight is our best chance at staving off some pretty scary preventable diseases. And you are more then on your way to doing so. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

I love what you've done (and your creative use of smilies!) for yourself and how you went about it. Sounds like you've made some SUSTAINABLE LIFETIME HABITS, and that my dear is what it's all about! And now you're ready to take on some more of em'. Well, good for you.

As far as being an inspirational story - well I think you're they're already. For sure! I wish you much continued success and am greatly looking forward to hearing much more from you.

[mezmerize]

Your doing great and it's those small baby steps that lead to big losses. Post any questions you have and on your not so good days there are plenty of sholders to lean on. I look forward to helping reach your goal.

[GirlyGirlSebas]

So glad you decided to join us. And, Congratulations on your 25 pounds loss! Post often so can get to know you.

[Lovely]

Hey there &

Congrats on the 25 lbs down! And best of luck with the next 25 ^^ Keep on postin'!

[midwife]

Congrats on the changes you have made so far! Sounds like you are totally on the right road. Welcome to 3FC!

[Robin41]

Welcome. Sounds like you have a great plan. Feel free to ask a lot of questions; there's a lot of knowledge floating around here.

I love your comment about wanting to do things when you are thinner that would actually be the things that make you thinner. I think this is one of the great ironies of the whole weight loss battle.

Enjoy the process of losing weight. There's a lot of trial and error but it's all helpful in the long run.

[famograham]

So glad you're here!


Linda

[bluex]

I like the way you approach weight loss, it can be a series of changes you end up making. It's how I've dealt with weight loss since hitting 200, what can you change to kick start more weight loss! Congratulations!

The other thing I want to talk about is "fat positive" I think that what people should call it is just woman positive or body positive. There's a lot of women here and elsewhere who are at normal weight and aren't happy with their bodies. I think we can be fat or thin or normal weight and be happy with ourselves and that's what matters. The "fat" issue though, does have a lot of health and quality of life issues and that's why it is important to lose the weight.

If you already feel good about the way you look, your job is halfway done, because you'll be happy no matter what weight you end up at and that really is half the battle for women.

[AutumnHarvest]

Thanks for all the warm welcomes.

The choice of the term "fat-positive" was intentional. I meant it exactly how I said it, and I'd rather not change it to body-positive.

Thanks again!

[Healthy Mama]

Welcome Autumn Harvest
I'm a newbie too! Congratulations on your 25lb loss! Amazing how those "small" changes really add up! And I agree with you - diet soda IS death in a glass

Looking forward to seeing you on-line.
Cheers,
Robyne