im 25 and have been obese for 5 years , im soooo depressed , i have depression already and thats wen my weight gain started 8 years ago wen i started antidepressants , i want to lose weight more than anything and am so so annoyed cos its so hard i going to put an ad up for a gym buddy and keep trying but i feel ill never lose the weight cos i have never been able to before i feel so so low cos of it
is anyone else in the same situation or have any advice ? xx

i felt the same way and still do alot of times. about 17 days ago i starting my new eating habits(diet is a dirty word). i eat all day long and i have lost 14 pounds. i felt like you did for 10 years,,sweetie. you can do it!!!! here are some tips that help me.

* i count calories,,for me it's 1200
* i eat 5 times a day or more
* i eat only healthy foods(they don't have to be expensive!!)
*i always eat when i am hungry,,,know the difference between hunger and emotional eating
*i only drink water, unsweet tea and an occasional diet because i love pop
* i go to the gym alot and my workout is about an hour and a half
(Note: you don't have to go to the gym to get exercise,,,turn on your favorite cd and run in place,,,dance,,,do your own cardio workout,,,use cans of vegetables for weight,,,sit ups,,jumping jacks,,,it don't matter)
* make losing weight a top priority in your life
* there are no excuses why you can't!!!! (that is what i use to do,,,i would say,,my husband and son eat anything,,,well doesn't mean i have to,,,,,i don't have time to go exercise,,wakeup 30 minutes earlier make it a priority,,,healthy foods cost too much,,,oatmeal, tuna, eggs,,fruit,,,vegetables,,much more low cost healthy foods.

i just had a bad dream and woke up,,,i was hungry. always eat when you are hungry,,potion control) i just ate a sliced apple with cinnamon and a tbs of peanut butter as dip. 165 calories.

YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!

You've come to the right place. The question "Am I ever going to lose weight?" can only be answered by you.

If you want to do it, then you can. It will take hard work and commitment, and because you have quite a lot to lose it will take a long time. You need to be prepared for that.

Just take it one day at a time. Really think about what you're eating and why you're eating it. What really helps me to stay on track is exercising everyday, because after I've done the hard work of exercising I usually don't want to ruin my efforts by eating unhealthily, even if I've only been out of breath for 20 minutes.

I have tried dieting LOADS of times before, but this online community has enabled me to stay motivated. I log in everyday and read about other peoples struggles and successes, aims and achievements. It keeps healthy eating and regular exercise in the forefront of my mind.

Good luck! Be prepared for a battle and some messing up along the way, but there is huge support here to help you through it.

It's all about it you really want to do it and sticking with it. It's not easy and yes there are times you may fall off the ban wagon but don't quit just continue on the next day. I personally don't like the gym, working out in front of other people makes me nervous so I do work out video's and eventually once the video's start becoming easier I'll probably just go for a run afterwards. This time around for my weight loss I seem to find it much harder because I no longer have my moms cooking to at least get a healthly meal in so i'm trying my best to cook even though I hate my cooking but I seem to be getting better at it. lol.

It's about will power and not giving up!

Honestly until you change your attitude you will probably not be very sucessful on any plan. It's tough to think about! Nothing ever changes until you change your thinking/behaviors... If you think you can't lose weight- you can't. Period.

I have stuggled with this in the past- a lot... That is why I am a pro at dieting(I am working at making it a lifestyle)... some things that have helped me is to make myself accountable- I write down EVERYTHING I eat or drink, I mean EVERYTHING. I try not to pass judgement on myself- If I get negative with myself I start to think what's the point I am no good anyway- I use to drop off "the wagon" quickly- I am not like that anymore...

You don't need perfection to succeed just perseverance. If you set a plan for yourself/get help if you need it- (I attend weight watcher meetings to help me with the food portion)- Follow as best as you can, if you have a rough meal- just pick up and keep going... you don't really "fail" until you stop trying.

Dare to Soar! How successful you are is determined by your attitude. - Unknown

YOU CAN DO IT! (now tape this to all your mirrors so you don't forget!)

^^^Totally agree....losing weight is 95% emotional and 5% physical in my opinion. I know what I need to do in order to lose weight. I know I need to watch what I put in my mouth, I know I need to exercise or at least be active outside of my day to day lifestyle at least 4-5times a week. But you have to change your mind frame in order for that to work. Ive been body concious for a long time and although Ive never been extremely overweight Ive been uncomfortable in my skin to know I needed to do something in order to make me happy and healthy. Once you change your way of thinking every thing else will just fall in place. Spend time on here and see what others in your situation are doing. I know things started to turn around for me when I really started to focus on my diet (tracking my foods, packing my lunch, making my own meals) and making exercise a PRIORITY. Not only do you lose weight but it makes YOU feel good!!! I hope you find some inspiration on here...

thankyou everyone for ur kind words of advice xx

One thing I would say is to take this day by day. In the fight to loose weight, you are bound to have good days and bad days. Take advantage of those good days by taking a walk and eating healthy food. And on those bad days (cause we all have them) allow yourself to be blue, but put a deadline on it. Say to yourself "ok, today Im depressed and that sucks. I will allow myself to feel bad for 3 hours. After that -- I must do something positive." And doing something positive may be calling a friend, taking a walk, taking a bath, going to the movies -- but it should be something you enjoy.

Good luck to you.

I totally agree.

If you want it bad enough, you WILL do it. Coming here is a great system of support and motivation. A lot of times when I want to snack and I know I don't need it, I come here to read and look at success stories. Works like a charm.

Trust me it's frustrating. I've been stuck in the 170's for over six months. But I know it's my fault. I got distracted from my weight loss goals, stopped going to the gym, stopped eating the healthy foods i was eating.

My main distraction was meeting my boyfriend....six months ago. coincidence i think not lol

I'm just know trying to focus on myself again. It's all about balance.

You should start small. Take walks, cut out pop/fast food/sweets/junk in general one at a time. Don't overwhelm yourself with all the weight and steps you'll have to take. Just do little things here and there and try to develop better habits. Don't give up, that's the worst thing you could do. Keep striving day by day, do one thing to meet your goal and one day you'll get there. Good luck!!

You can do this. It's hard but I believe in you. Think of it this way, are you going to sit there and be depressed for another 10 years? Or are you going to decide that today is the time for change. My mom always told me, if you don't like something, change it.