Hello everyone!

My name is Jessie! I am 20 yrs old (soon to be 21 ) going to be a senior in college and I live in NY. I live with my 2 boys ( dad and brother) I have a boyfriend i've been seeing for nearly 2 years. I double major in Psychology and Art and I am 160 lbs ! I've fluctuated between 140 -160 my whole little life. I'm about 5 ' 5 1/2 and have always carried my weight well partly because I have large breasts which have also been somewhat of a "difficulty" my whole life but I have always felt insecure and overweight.
My mother lost 160 lbs about 4 or 5 years ago and i've always been jealous of her success (i've never told her that though) I've never been able to really finish something all the way through and something as simple as this is really frustrating for me not to finish. I know I CAN do it, I'm just not consistent but I know i CAN be.
I just had surgery on my nose (a nosejob to be exact due to an injury years and years ago) a couple days ago so I haven't been able to work out but I have been trying to eat halthy. Here's an example of a common pitfall.

Scene opens with me and a few girlfriends watching a movie in my room

Friend A: "OMG I love pancakes we should totally make some!"
Me: "Yeah I love pancakes but I really shouldn't eat any I am trying to watch my weight"
Friend B:" Yeha me too"
Fastforward 20 minutes later
Friend A:" Ok Jess how many do you want!"
Me: "Ok fine just one or two"
Later that night....

Me alone in my room eyes open trying to sleep
"DAMMIT!! I know I shouldn't have eaten that!!"
Cue sleep...

Thats basically a rough draft of how it goes. Another weakness of mine is TCBY (which I just had the other day I have been trying to eat rather heathy the past couple days typically some Kashi cereal for lunch or and egg or two and incorporating salads to fill me up before lunch and dinner. I usually stay up pretty late so I am also a nighttime snacker. I've been trying to stick to yogurt with granola as my nighttime snack b/c it kinda tastes like a treat Once the doctor gives the ok I'm going to start working out again shooting for 5 days a week.
I'm really tired of being unhappy with myself basically my whole life. everytime I look at a picture of me and my girlfriends I always look like the biggest one (perhaps because they are all so small). I used to be alot worse and was on anti-depressants for my self-loathing and depression but have recently since been taken off and have been happy and well.... kinda chubby. I' have been looking around these boards for a couple years now and here is finally my story.

Sorry for the long-winded story the gist of it. I need to be happy with myself and accept my body. I am just putting myself out there this time saying I am doing it. Not going to do it I AM DOING IT NOW!!

Hey Jessie!

A couple spots here might be really good fits for you...

First, check out the 20-Somethings group...they have daily chats and support threads for those in your age group.

Second, you might want to visit the Featherweights forum, since you're starting relatively close to your goal weight. That comes with unique challenges, you know, since you don't get the immediate feedback from your scale and you have to work a bit harder for each pound.

Third, we have groups by eating plan. Are you counting your calories? Focusing on eating whole foods? Whatever your plan, we've got a forum for it, so look around.

As for avoiding temptation, it IS hard, especially when those around you are cooking/eating things you like the taste of. But if you make a COMMITMENT to staying on plan, and you plan your meals/snacks for the day out ahead of time, you can avoid them! Without a plan, though, you're likely to give into temptations like that...eating well doesn't happen without proper planning.

Anyway, settle in, look around, and keep posting. Can't wait to get to know you better!

TCBY a weakness? They have some really lo-cal sorbets that I think are better than the creamy stuff. I remember being the bigger one out of all my friends, but along with that I was the most athletic, which I would rather have been anyways. Your goal is so tangible -- realistic. I still have scenarios like the one you played out for us; except in my case it's probably a Snickers bar. What kind of exercise are you planning on doing? When I was 17 I lost a bunch of inches and about 8 pounds just walking every day for about an hour for about 3 or 4 months (summer). It started out as just regular walking, then brisk walking, then jogging sporadically, then jogging the whole way, and finally jogging mixed with sprinting. I was in the best shape of my life at 138 pounds and 5'6". I am 28 now and find myself doing the same thing. Except now, I am losing baby weight that I packed on a year ago. I am lower than I was before I got pregnant and attribute it to WW, but more importantly jogging every night. Good luck, Jessie!

Welcome and good luck!!