Hello everyone,

I stumbled across this site last night and couldn't resist joining. I am amazed at all the encouragement and support you give to each other! I too am ready to lose these extra pounds which seem to have snuck up out of nowhere placing me at my heaviest! I am sad to say that I use to think that 180lbs was too pudgy, and now I would give anything to get back to that weight.

I am currently trying to cut my portion sizes, eat at least three square meals a day, and no more snacking on junk. Exercise is a challenge due to my busy schedule and lack of equipment although I have been meaning to purchase a ball. It would be great if I could find a quick but effective workout routine!

Welcome and good luck. You will find alot of fantastic people here. There is not a day that goes by that I don't learn something.

I just joined here too, and yes I'm also addicted! I'm supposed to study today but when I sit down to work I find my self checking the posts again... It is great reading what everyone has to say, like Sharon said lots of great people to keep you motivated! As for the finding a workout routine a good way to start is walking especially if there are hills around and increase the speed and distance as you progress. Good luck and I'm sure you will do great!

Hi my name is Alicia (aka bigmommyof2) and I just joined today. Yes, I'm and
oprah reader, but at least I read the article while I was on the elliptical, right??

Hi Canadian Chick:

I'm also from Canada (Ontario). I heard about this site on another site ... LOL, and I'm glad I did! I had been looking for some kind of women's support group for awhile. Like you, I couldn't believe how much weight I had gained over the years; my main goal is to get down to a healthy and comfortable size large (16-18 and then see from there).

I lost weight on many diets, but eventually gained it back with interest. So now I designed my own plan to help me get and stay healthy for the rest of my life. I am doing well, and don't ever want to go back there again; I can't and I mustn't for health reasons. My plan is similar to yours (3 x balanced meals plus 2 x healthy snacks); plus I have also banished the junk food out of my house.

My main exercise right now is walking; eventually, I want to work up to speed-walking. I think almost everyone can fit walking into their new lifestyle quiet easily. Glad you found us ~ a fellow encourager ... Rosebud.

I'm new too. Have hit my heaviest weight, weigh more than when I delivered any of my children. I do exercise, but I also eat. I love chocolate. Thought it would be fun to try this, meet otehrs with the same goals. Kim

Welcome, Kim and all. This place is great, and it really keeps you motivated to work and KEEP working (always my problem-maintaining!!!) on your goal.

Any thoughts on plans or a fitness routine, no matter how small or extreme? There is a lot of good advice available here, so good luck and cheers to you!

Hello all,
trying to get accustom to using this site. looking for people to talk to and for support.

Hi All

I just joined last night and am looking forward to the support and success you all are having. Thanks for being here it seems like it will be a wonderful adventure!

wanda

Hi there from a fellow MARITIMER . . . although I'm actually a transplant from Ontario.

Really glad you found us. You will love it here. The support is really terrific. Have a look around and just jump in anywhere and start posting. You will receive a great big of welcome wherever you go. You have definitely taken an important first step on the long winding road to better health and fitness, chickie . . .

Have a great moving and shaking evening . . .

I am glad to know that there are other maritimers on here!!. The Maritimes are a great place to be .... most days haha.

And thank you all soooo much for the warm welcome!

A warm welcome to Kim, Tigga, and Wanda too!

Jump right in girls, look around the forums, and post often. Don't be shy ... tell us a little about yourselves. I agree that this is a very supportive place. I haven't seen anything like it anywhere else. A fellow encourager ... Rosebud.

Hi Canadian Chick!

Welcome! This IS a great site! You will LOVE coming here!

I recently got reacquainted with my exercise ball and bought a couple "Core Secrets" DVDs from www.collagevideo.com It is a great place to check out because you can play a 60 second clip of each of the videos and DVDs that they offer! I like that because you can see what you are buying BEFORE you buy it. You can compare similar DVDs and find the one that suits you best. Check it out! They will also send you a catalog with your online order.

I have found that DVDs are a wonderful alternative to having to go to a gym! I can exercise anytime that I want, and I don't have to worry about the weather or driving anywhere or even how I LOOK when I am exercising. You don't need much room to do them either! I have explored yoga, cardio circuits, Turbo Jam, walking, step workouts, Pilates, and recently, the exercise ball. I even have weight-lifting workouts that I use. I alternate among all of them so I am never bored. I trade DVDs with my future daughter-in-law and my son, too!

You can also check out many at your local library, although January-March seems to be the time when most of the good DVDs and videos are already checked out to people who are trying to make good on those New Year's Resolutions!

You can do this! Try using FITDAY to record your food and exercise. The site is free! www.fitday.com It helped me recently to drop nine stubborn pounds that had been causing me to plateau for EIGHT MONTHS! (I found out that I had been eating WAAAAAAY more calories than I THOUGHT I had been eating! )Also, measuring portions helps keep you honest. When I actually measured out what I THOUGHT was a cup of cereal, it turned out to be 1 1/2 cups! Believe me, small amounts of calories add up quickly! I am now eating about 1500 calories a day and exercising an hour or more. The pounds are being stubborn, but I am making them melt away...one blubbery pound at a time!

When you consider that it may be just one pound but that ONE POUND is really 3500 CALORIES that you must burn, it feels more rewarding to think that instead of having lost a POUND, you have actually lost 3500 CALORIES of FAT!!! Yea!!

Cheryl