Hi all,

so I am not new to this but then again I am. I have been here before but strayed away. I was doing so well. I had lost 30 lbs, and now i've gained all but 12 of those pounds back.

This time I am really ready to do it right, but I will really need the support.

I am a female in my twenties and I hope to lose 145-150 lbs overall. Eating healthy foods is one of my biggest issues because I don't cook (well if I knew how to, I probably would). I am definitely a fast-food junkie because it's quick, cheap, and simple.

Today I am going to start a workout plan -- I've noticed that the last time I had a workout plan my overall energy level and my mood was much better.

I am married to a wonderful man who is unfortunately serving a life sentence in prison over a wrongful conviction that happened when he was only 16 years old. That separation is where the majority of my stresses come from and I get off track when I get down about the situation, and mostly overeat.

I have an office job, and spend a good bit of money eating out (fast food of course ) everyday. I dont want to do that anymore.

I find that when I have a plan and stick to it, and I see the progress coming, even my stress level decreases.

So anyways here I am again today. I have a long way to go, but i'd like my long way to be 'down' and not 'up'.

Any help, or advice anyone can give would be great. If I could have a regular 'buddy' that would be awesome.

Thanks,
Ayah

Ayah!! I'm from Sacramental as well.

Ya know what? None of us are new to this. There are tons of tips on eating out as well as simple recipes and workout pointers here at 3FC - YOU CAN DO THIS!!!

Howdy Neighbor!



Planning is SO good for reducing stress! So you know that for you, a plan is important. Knowing that, why not make a date with yourself one night each week to plan the menus for the next. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks...all of it! Write it all out and stick it on the fridge. Schedule this for the time of week you tend to be least stressed (Sunday afternoons for me, but it could be different for everyone). Do the grocery shopping to buy those items and anything you need to package them (baggies to take snacks to work, maybe a tupperware container to take your own lunch in) Then, when you are stressed out and running late and worried and feeling upset, you only have what you planned to eat available.

My favorite trick to avoid eating lunches out during the workweek is to cook double the number of portions for dinner that I need. That way, my partner and I can each take one of the remaining portions to work with us the next day. Since I'm already cooking the dinner, it usually takes very little extra time to cook 2 more servings, and the "extra" food never gets snacked on/eaten as seconds here, because that'd mean that lunch tomorrow would be skimpy.

Can't wait to get to know you better.

hi ladies, thanks so much for your responses. It's nice to know there's another Sac chicky here!

Mandalinn thanks so much for your tips and ideas. I've never tried to plan all of that before so I think I will sit down and this week and give it a try. I will let you know how it goes.

Again thanks for the encouragement!

Hey Ayah!!

Glad to see that you came back. I was here long ago...5 years ago, I believe (because I had just had child #3) I had lost 50 pounds in 5 months, and THEN I had my gall bladder removed...the rest was history. This year when I realized that I was going to turn 40, I had to stop and re-think my life of being over weight.

I don't live in Sacramento, but I do live in the Bay Area. You and I started at about the same weight, so if you need a "buddy", just send me an message. I try to motivate when and where I can. I still have such a long way to go, so I don't feel that I'm in a position to "motivate" most of the time. But every now and then I have to take a step back and say...."Hey, you know what? you've lost x number of pounds,be proud of yourself!"

I joined Curves (AGAIN!) and I'm loving it. It makes me wonder why I ever stopped. . Oh well, what's done is done and I'm back now, and working out 6 days a week.

Just remember this is NOT a race...it will be slow, and frustrating as all get out, but YOU WILL DO IT!!