This site is beautiful! And the posts I've read so far are heart warming and encouraging. I think I'm in the right place -- got over 100# to lose and I weigh over 300# to start. Am I in the right place!!???

I am looking for support and a place to talk about my thoughts - I know you'll understand.

If you have any suggestions as to WHAT to Eat - I currently don't have a clue - I just know I'm eating too much. But I've lost weight many times over, so I do know how. I just don't know how to stay motivated for the long haul.

Gotta do it! New Years is a natural time to start....

rileydog14

Welcome and Congrats on finding 3FC. Jump in anywhere these ladies are wonderful. And about that motivation well I keep reading the success stories and other peoples posts to keep going. Wether it is a good day or bad keep posting they have so much help here. Again welcome and enjoy the journey
Anna

Hi, and welcome, feel free to jump into the thread. We all do different things, but I think the main thing you will find is that we realize that we have to be about lifestyle change, and not just dieting. You can lose weight on almost any diet, but I would suggest trying to stress eating healthy first. The best diet, is the one you can stick to for the rest of your life. The best exercise plan is the one that you enjoy most. Pick one that you like, that is convient enough that you will stick with it, and one you can afford. If you can afford a personal trainer at the gym next to your work, that would be heaven. If all you can afford is lifting soup cans in your kitchen, then lift them a million times if you have to. If you don't know how to cook, or don't know about nutrition or nutritional eating, then hit the library. I've gotten a lot of good information from books written by Kathleen Dahlmans, Graham Greene, Dr. Dean Ornish, and even God forgive me Richard Simmons. Take the time to really read about the ways to cook healthy, not just eat healthy. You can probably even find a cooking class sponsored by the local heart association or diabetes association. A lot of them are free. Ask as many questions as you need to, and the biggest thing I stress is the only way to fail it to quit trying. Expect to bloody your nose occasionally, but always be willing to get back up, and if you need help, we'll be here to give you hand.

Dear Rileydog14, Or welcome back, I see your join date indicates Feb. 2005. I started in November. I'm a Michigan girl too. Anyway, you will find lots of support here and I wish you success in your efforts. Just remember, the weight did'nt come on overnight and it won't shed that way either. I can't tell you what you should be eating but I can pass on some advice from another member, start changing bad habits one at a time. example; no second helpings. Or cut down the trips to McDonald's to once a month. There are other people here who can give better advice than me. Good luck to you and I look farward to seeing you in the numbered threads! Oh and Happy New Year!!

thanks to each of you for the quick welcome -- I was headed off to bed and thought I'd just check back here real quick to see if anyone had posted yet after my post. I am happy to see that there were three posts!!

I have to spend some time introducing myself --- details later, but the usual stuff:

I have tried every diet, lost and gained fast and slow, blah blah.

This time has to be different - and permanent. I have had two heart attacks. My doctor recommended the books by Dr Dean Ornish, so I have to stop carrying the book I bought around and actually read it!! I have a treadmill and exercise bike, and a dog who loves to walk. My habits suck, and thats where I'll start.

My plan is a little at a time ------- but hanging on desperately !

Thanks for the warm welcome - nitey nite!!

Rileydog -- WELCOME!

There's a lot of support here. We can't give you a plan, but will help talk you through creating one yourself. I am a big believer in "baby steps" -- committing to starting by changing a couple of things at a time. However, others find they can change everything at once. You sound like a "baby stepper" to me!

I think the big key is COMMITMENT. And remember that when you fall, you can pick yourself up again!!

You'll see a bunch of numbered threads. One is our general thread and the other for members who are 40+. Feel free to join one or both (you don't have to choose). It can be a little intimidating at first, as we keep about 400 conversations in the air at once, but really feel free to jump in.

There are a few threads stickied to the top you might want to look at, including the "newbies" info, some great links for getting started, and a place for introducing yourself if you're interested. Check them out!!!!

Also, if you're interested in starting exercise, there's an exercise thread stickied at the top of the page. We try to set goals of MINUTES of exercise per month (the exercise is up to you -- lifting cans a million times per Catherine's suggestion would work!). Then we post our exercise and also track the group minutes. Last year we got close to 200,000 minutes of exercise and I hope we go over this year!!!