I'm new and I have struggled with my weight most of my life. I've dieted in the past and lost weight, only to then feel deprived and gain it back. I currently weigh 170 and am a size 12. I would love to get down to below 140 and a size 6. In recent months I've been dipping my toes in by eating more fruits/veggies, eating more often, and drinking water instead of soda or sport drinks. A few days ago, my boyfriend and I officially decided to move to Hawaii (big island) in a year. He grew up over there, a lot of his family lives there, and he has a family business to inherit if he so chooses. This will give us an opportunity to be more financially stable and start a family together. Anyway, now a fire has been lit under my fat *** because I don't want to move to Hawaii in a size 12. I have a whole year to really get into shape, but I'm worried I'll lose focus in that time. I also have a sweet tooth that takes up my whole mouth and major issues with depriving myself. I need daily accountability, support, and kind encouragement. Let's help each other become healthier and leaner! Aloha!

-Melissa

Something just hit me. I never thought of it this way before but are we not depriving ourselves when we don't give our body what it needs to be healthy. I also need a lot of support. I get sidetracked very easily. Have a great day and luck.

^^ Great point!

Misslis, what a great opportunity!

I wish you the best of luck and know you can healthfully reach your goal in a year!

That being said, please know from what I know from my Hawaiian friends, you probably would already be considered beautiful (and possibly a little on the small side, at your height) at your current size more so than in most areas of the US!

Haha, so true. It's all a matter of perspective, I guess. If society's ideal embraced my body type, I probably wouldn't be here. Sad, but true. However, Hawaii's economy is fueled by tourism and there are a lot of non-native residents. Those "island girl" calendars are pretty popular and those girls are as lean as any other swimsuit model. I totally get your point, though. I do want to say I'm doing it just for health, but mostly, I just can't stand the thought of going back to Hawaii as big as I was last time I was there.

If you have problems with deprivation, try a diet that allows you some sorts of sweet treats. Calorie counting is easy and if you plan out ahead, you can still have room for desserts once in a while.

I personally hate diets where you are told you can eat this and that, but you have to stay away from these things. I don't like people telling me what I can and cannot do! Calorie counting worked for me because I was able to make the decisions on what I did and did not eat. If I really wanted a (small) bowl of ice cream, I planned for it. I am a proponent of "everything in moderation." There is no reason to eat the entire carton, but a scoop now and then won't kill you.

You are starting out at about where I started out. I didn't lose really fast, but I did get down from 173 to about 145 in less than 6 months. It is possible and I never felt deprived. You can do it BUT you have to convince yourself that you are ready, willing and able. If there is any doubt, that will be what does you in.

Start now, start small, but start! Try picking ONE THING to change today--perhaps drink more water, perhaps eat more vegetables (they fill you up with very few calories). Pick something new every day or so to change. Small steps are easier to follow than huge leaps.

Good luck to you!

I am another calorie counter , I like calorie counting because I can control what I eat. No restrictions if want to use the calories, for instance
I would love to have a piece of cherry pie with ice cream, that is about 500 calories, I don't want to give up 500 calories from my daily allowance.It is all about choice.

Thanks for the response and advice. I typed a long response, but then got logged out (I'm at work). Anyway, this looks like the perfect place for support and to talk it through when you need it. As for the calorie counting, I'm way too obsessive to do that everyday, but I have used it for 2-3 weeks at a time to get my eating on track. Some of the online ones (fitday, dailyplate, calorieking) are great tools for learning about your eating habits and making adjustments.