Hello all,

I am a 41 year old man. I have been heavy most of my life, I believe since I was 12. I believe when I graduated high school I was about 226 pounds and I worked out a lot so I had much more muscle back then. I was divorced in 2004 and I had been around (257 pounds then)... I have been depressed and treated for depression. Throughout the last few years I have shot up from 257 to 394... I have read lots of peoples commments on here about how hard it is being heavy and how embarassing it is to not fit in chairs or booths at resturants...I completely understand, and I finally have decided to do something about it. My son who is 20 went on a core version of Weight Watchers about 6 months ago and he has gone from 336 down to 269, I believe his goal is 170. What a great inspiriation it was to me to see him eating healthy and excercise daily... reminded me of "me" at 18 when I was more fit... so I started something like a a Flex version of Weight Watchers on June 14th of this year... at the start of the diet I was 394... I am hoping that though reading here and working on this healthy lifestyle I can overcome this weight I seem to have accumulated. I have to say that reading everyones goals and sucesses and failures is an inspiration as you never feel like you are alone.

Thanks so much for starting this web site.

Elliott

Hey there, WELCOME! and good luck! Nice to have you aboard

ELLIOTT . . . so glad to have you joining us . . . you'll find lots of support and encouragement around here and also a few more men for you to relate to, although you are definitely outnumbered by the women.

We have a very busy Weight Watchers area and ongoing discussions for both the Core Program and the Flex Program over in Diet Central . . . http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=18

elliott! glad you are here! good luck!

Hi Elliott,

Welcome. As a member here, I find that reading other members' success stories is very motivating. I want to share this link with you because I think that maybe you'll be able to relate more closely with him because he's a guy.

Again, welcome. And congratulations on your decision to make lifestyle changes and become healthy.

http://www.onephatman.com/transformation-pictures

Welcome and good luck!

Hello and Welcome Elliot!!
I'm new here too and looking to make some supportive friends. I don't actually belong to Weight Watchers, but am following a points system. A friend who was a member, gave me a points counter and a getting started book. With all the great advice here, I actually feel more confident about losing weight! (did I just say "confident"?) I was also diagnosed with depression, so I can understand where your comming from. Look forward to hearing from you!

Hi Elliot to the site I joined last week and I have received a lot of great advice and support from the members on this site. I love it. Your post is the first post I have come across from a man, but I sure there are plenty more out there, I look forward to reading a lot more post from u .

For all the nice people

(KLK, Meowee, BlzMaxGnrCCJkMly, DayByDay, bargoo, heavyandhomebound, Sweetie72) ...wow lots of nice people! thanks again...

who took the time to comment on my introduction, thank you... I have no problem relating to women or men who are overweight..because we all have a very important thing in common we are all here trying to do something about it and we know what it is like to be a heavy person in todays society. In the past being heavy might not have been as big a deal as it is in todays health conscious society but being out of shape affects everyones opinion of you...and I think more highly of myself than people who don't know me think that I probably do...so it is time to show them that I do, that is why I am here. I am going to find a place to keep some picture here ..and I will date them and track my progress.. I believe that looking at a picture of yourself is more helpful to me than reading a number on a scale. I am muscular (somewhere down under the fluffy part) and I am still heavy even when I look fit, chuckle. I can use all the friends on here and support that we can give one another online to continue to believe we can succeed at this goal we have started, in other words feel free to talk to me.. link me to your diet infomation or sucesses and problems or obstacles.

P.S. thanks for the links ... I feel very optimistic every time I come to this website and just read...

Elliott