Hello all,
I am nearing fifty years old and am so tired of the limitations that 75 extra pounds puts on my life. I hesitate to do so many things I want to do for fear I won't fit in the airline seat, or in the bumper car, or be the biggest person in the room (I usually am). Last week my doctor told me I would have a heart attack if I didn't lower my cholesterol and get some exercise. For the first time in a long time I feel some encouragement but am afraid to hope. My loving husband has loved me through thick and thin, and it's been 15 years of thick! Anyway I stumbled on this site and am.....LookingForHope.

You have definitely come to the right place, girl. It's big and its very, very friendly. You will love it.

Just have a good look around all the various forums and jump right in and start posting whenever something catches your eye. I know you will be welcomed with open arms wherever you decide to land.

You've taken that first and very important step on the long winding road to better health and fitness by joining us at 3FC. We'll be looking forward to seeing lots less of you, lots more often now that you've found us.

Have a great moving and shaking evening, chickie . . . see you soon.

Hi Lisa!

I'm 55, and seven years ago I weighed 20 lbs more than you do right now! I wasn't exercising, and I felt just like you do about myself as a heavier-than- I should-be person. I took it a day at a time, started walking, watched fats, started drinking water, and the weight started to come off.

I'm now in the best shape of my life! I do Turbo Jam and lift weights and can walk ten miles at a time. When I first began I got winded walking from the car to the grocery store! I was eating WAAAAAAY too many calories. No wonder I ballooned up to 275!

It feels a lot better NOT to be carrying around that 74 pounds, and I can't wait to finish losing the rest.

YOU CAN DO THIS! Look around on this site and check out EVERYTHING! There are HUNDREDS, maybe THOUSANDS of great ideas and plans and so many wonderful people who know where you are coming from, believe me!

We're glad that you found us!

Cheryl

Thank you for the welcome. I feel like I've come home. When I look at everyone else's posts, I feel so encouraged! Cheryl, I'm so proud of you! I hope someday I can post such news. My dr told me to join WW but I'm not much of a joiner. I work long hours (teacher/librarian) and have a lot of other things to tend to. Sitting in an hour meeting would drive me nuts! So I'm glad to find a place I can drop in at 10 at night if I need to. I look forward to learning so much more about every one's journeys. Lisa

Hi LookingForHope! THis is a wonderful site.... great support, Great forums. And, Somebody has always been where you are now, so you never feel like you're alone! Good Luck to You. *hug*

Hi LookingforHope. Welcome to 3FC. I am so glad you found this place. It is a fabulous place for advice, encourgement and support.

I was exactly in your position only worse just 6 short months ago. I feel like a completely different person now. My life is sooo much better. I was totally and completely miserable and now everyday is a joy. I am 43 and was worried I wouldn't make it to see 50. I haven't been on an airplane for about 13 years due to fears of not fitting in that tiny seat. I've yet to fly since my weightloss, but that's because of time restraints now, not fear.

If WW isn't for you, that's fine. I am kind of doing my own thing. Nobody knows me better then me, so I devised my own plan.

Looking forward to getting to know you!!! Please remember that you absolutely, positively can do this. Good luck.

rockinrobin,
Your success gives me hope!Awesome accomplishment! Lisa

Hi Cheryl,
Two pounds to ONEderland is amazing! I dream about that sometimes. To go in the doctor's office and slide the weight thingy to the left instead of the right. Keep going--I know you're going to do it! Lisa

Welcome to 3FC! 15 years of thick - that's funny! Seriously though - If you are new to exercise and not much of a joiner, I think you might like Walk Away The Pounds by Leslie Sansone. They're super for beginners, and you can work your way up through the DVD's to more challenging walks. It's all walking in place and leg lifts etc that you do in your living room. Go to the Fitness Video section to read more about it. Most of the dvd's are about $10-$12 at Target and WalMart.

Good luck!!