hi all!

been reading posts on this page for a while now, but this is my first post, ever! My wishfull thinking encouraged me to post this in the "success" forum, because i guess im looking for a little support and/or advice from you ladies who have managed to climb your own personal mountains, and are now living happily at the top!

So my story is basically this; I'm 20, 5'5 & 1/2 and I weigh 175lbs. I was never a fat kid but started to put on weight pretty steadily once i hit puberty. I tried lots of times to lose weight by exercising and eating right but without success. Finally after tons of frustrating doctors visits, I was diagnosed this year with an underactive thyroid. It seems now to be kind of under control, but i still havent lost any weight (although to be fair, I havent really been trying too hard lately).

I just want to get down to about a size 8 (at least) and i guess i'm just looking for a little bit of feedback. Does anyone have any advice for me? I mean, I really dont want my whole life to be about weight and yoyo dieting and all; I just want to get this weight off, but here by myself, its tough to get motivated and to believe it can happen.

Anyone have any words of wisdom for me?

See ya
Rollergirl

My words of advice are "DON'T GIVE UP!!" Those with an underactive thyroid have a hard time losing. It will take you more time and determination but you will lose if you try really hard. As for not wanting to diet your entire life well that's never a sure thing. Once you hit your goal weight you must continue to monitor your intake and exercise. When they say women have to suffer to be happy well, they aren't kidding. If you have weight issues now (which all of us here do ) then we will have to battle it forever. Once we hit our goal it doesn't just dissapear. We will all be weight conscience forever. But knowing what you are up against is the first hurdle. Now get to counting your calories (or carbs, depending on your diet) and relax, the weight will come off. Good luck!!

I just started a thread called "A true Inspiration - Prepare to be Touched and Motivated!!" It is something that inspires me, and I hope it will inspire you as well. Please take a look and share your comments!

Good Luck!

~Gracenote

Hi there!

I am 24, 5 ft 7.5 in and weighed 290 lbs in mid-July. I now weigh 240 lbs AND I have Hashimoto's disease (a type of hypothyroidism). So....yes, it can be done! I am on my way to 165. So far my plan has consisted of: exercise, 2 - 3 liters of water per day, and food journaling on fitday.com. I eat between 1500 and 2000 calories a day, try to limit my fat intake to no more than 30% and to eat more raw fruits and vegetables. I personally don't believe in diets, so the only number I am adamant about is getting enough water. I like to do both cardio and strength training exercise, and I try to do it every day or every other day (Again, I am flexible). First, I would decide whether or not you need strict structure in you WOE. If so, you might want to go with a designed plan like Weight Watcher's, Body-For-Life, etc. I like flexibility, so I am just living healthier. Good luck!

- Kim