Just joined - wanted motivation!

I'm 22, living in Sin City (horrible place!), 5'7" and ~188 pounds.
My family is mostly overweight. Diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.
My mom is the best cook in the world, which has always created problems.
Since I was in 5th grade she has been competing with me to stay thinner.
She used to cook breakfasts like the one in the movie Pleasantville! And she would force me to finish it before letting me out of the car for school.
I have my whole entire family telling me how fat I am and grabbing at my sides. Oddly enough, I'm one of the thinner people in my family. 2 days ago was the first time it actually made me cry.
I carry my weight very well. Always have. I have always had wide hips, a large chest and derriere. It's the number on the scale and the growing that scares me.
I am ~35 pounds overweight according to my doctor.
I am starting to feel it.

I am surrounded by people that eat crap in insane amounts.
I'm allergic to the sun and it's difficult to be as active as I want during the summer. I break out in hives and get blisters very easily. So I stopped playing sports and started staying inside with the AC on.
Eating healthy is hard right now. I was recently laid off, so now on top of not being able to afford the groceries I want, I have more time to eat and I'm semi-depressed.
I am the type of person that needs a partner to work out with - but I don't have anyone.
I joined the gym with a friend and she never went.
I bought videos to do at home, but it does nothing for me.

Although I'm in a rut, I decided I should take a walk with my dog at least once a day. Even if the crappy air gets me sick.
Water, water, water.
No more cheese. Or bacon. Those are the worst, for me.

Diets don't work, though. I need to change my eating habits.
If you did that for good, how did you do it?

Thanks!

Welcome to 3FC and good luck with your goals.

Hugs
Michelle

Hi Kallie!
I know it can all be very overwhelming - many of us can relate to some of your challenges ( family, laid-off etc.) - but the support you need is here - you can do this - and we'll all be here to cheer you on!

Glad to have you join us! There are lots & lots of different groups and forums - I'm sure you'll find some that will keep you motivated, inspired and entertained! There's also info and first hand advice on different plans to help choose the right one for you and get through the ups and downs.

There are bunches of people here with more to lose and some with less - the bottom line is that we all have to do it a day at a time. The good thing is that we'll have lots of company along the way.

I've only been here a few months myself, having NEVER been part of an online forum. What has been so eye-opening is how much it has helped me. Whenever I feel overwhelmed or defeated, I just log on and read some of the success stories, complete with their before & after photos - or read about others still dealing day to day with their challenges - and before I know it, the time has flown by and so have all the thoughts of cheating or giving up.

So welcome - you 've found the right place - join in by inspiring us and being inspired!

P.S. I don't know what plan you are doing or considering but I'm counting calories and carbs and I eat cheese and bacon - in moderation - but I eat them!! And walking the dog is a great idea - I personally prefer a dog's company to some people!

welcome! I am a newbie myself! I am wondering about your allergy to the sun....have you been diagnosed with a certain condition? I'm just curious because I know that people with lupus have reactions to the sun.

I wish you the best of luck! Already, I have found some great support here...you will too

Thanks, all!

I wasn't given a diagnosis, really. My childhood doctor was stunned when my mom told him the reaction I had to being in the sun, though.
I went in the office covered in hives.
I was in marching band in highschool and my first semester in college. I had band camp and it was 80% outside in the sun. I was wearing SPF 85 and re-applied it multiple times per day, and it still didn't help much. It has gotten better recently, though.
This is part of the reason I'm moving to Portland shortly.
Also because I'd like to be in a place that has excellent public transportation and parks, so I can walk more and take my dog to new places.

When I have time on my hands and I'm depressed, "moderation" is not a part of my vocabulary.
I joined bodybuilding.com a while ago, but a lot of it seems too intense for me to follow.
It's not just for bodybuilding, btw. There ARE people trying to build tons of muscle, but there's a really inspiring section of that website where men/women/teens show their body transformations and put exactly what they ate and what their workout routines were.
I was motivated until I saw that none of their choices are things that I would stick with.
So I came here.

I need to change my tastebuds or something, because food is my best friend!

When I moved here 8 years ago I was young, yes, but I was healthy. ~ 120 something pounds. Played soccer, softball, swam, etc.
I just can't believe how much I've changed.

And leeway - you are in one of the best areas for AMAZING FOOD!
I lived in NOLA in '07 and it ended pretty badly, which is when my weight started to soar. I miss my asiago cheese bagel with chive cream cheese from Mojo's and my Flying burrito from Juan's and my feta cheese rolls from Cafe Roma!

Good luck, everyone! Maybe I'll have some before/after photos if I get that far.