I have been lurking around this forum for over a year, never having the courage to post, or knowing what to say.

Like most people here, I have been struggling to lose weight.

Currently I am beyond frustrated with myself. While I am so inspired by all your success stories, they make me angry at myself. I read them and ask myself why I am not as successful, as strong and as determined.

While I am over weight, I do not have a huge amount of weight to lose. I feel bad about myself because all these amazing people have worked hard and lost all this weight and I can't even accomplish a small goal.

I joined WW just over a month ago, and have lost a couple pounds. Yet I am not making major progress. When I first joined WW I felt really inspired and positive. At my 2nd meeting a woman at the meeting mocked me for being there because she felt like I wasn't overweight enough. I don't know where to turn for motivation and help. I feel very depressed about the weight I have gained over the past few years. I'm sick of feeling unattractive and I'm sick of avoiding pictures.

Thanks for reading.

Welcome Tinasgoal! I am new to this site too and have found it to be VERY helpful! I hope it can be the same for you!

I also am not overweight by much, as a matter of fact, I am in my "healthy weight" range, but I don't feel like it. I am also doing Weight Watchers! Though I am not going to meetings, I am just counting points and checking my weight. When I started last March, the weight didn't come off at first. It was frustrating, but I kept with it. Soon I was losing even when I cheated. Your body just needs time to get into weight lose "mode"! Keep going, in time the weight will start coming off but keep in mind, it won't come off super fast!! I was losing 1 to 1.5 lbs a week. BTW- the woman at your meeting that mocked you was inappropriate. It doesn't matter how much you have to lose.... what matters is that you want to lose and you are motivated. Know that there are people that can relate and will support you!

Keep your head up and get involved with the threads on this site. You will be where you want to be in no time!!

Hi Tina, welcome to 3FC. I understand your feelings well, losing a few pounds is really hard. The featherweights forum is a great place to start.
Don't be so hard on yourself, you are here and willing to lose weight, that is great! Comparing ourselves to others never works, we are individuals, lose the weight for yourself, don't worry about others.
this is a new beginning.

Thank you so much for the kind welcomes AR4life and slai78 I really appreciate it. I'm hoping to start off fresh tomorrow and get myself out of this slump. I know that I need to have a better attitude about my journey.

Hi Tina!
Any challenge or obstacle is daunting when it's yours, it doesn't matter if it's bigger or smaller than someone else's - and if you read many of the success stories, you'll find that many tried over and over again, losing the weight ,gaining it back & sometimes even more, the difference is that they never gave up, took the lessons learned and kept going until they finally succeeded - that is true whether it's 20 lbs or 200, the amount really doesn't matter. The support you need to achieve your goals is here.

Glad to have you join us! There are lots & lots of different groups and forums - try the Weight Watchers forum and the weight loss support forums -they're active and very helpful with info and first hand advice on getting through the ups and downs - also the Success stories are a definite must for motivation.

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 since last fall, 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 going off track or giving up. It has made all the difference in my success so far.

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

All the best - good luck with your goals,
Lee

I read once in a book promoting a Christian weight loss program, the story of a woman with a mere 15 pounds to lose. The author said her 15 pounds looked like feathers next to the 50 or 100 pounds other women needed to lose, but it meant self-discipline, and "that was as foreign to her as moon travel." I'll confess I have very little sympathy when a painfully thin girl, something like a size 2, complains about how fat she is, but if you want or need to lose a comparatively small amount of weight, I wish you the best.

Don't feel unattractive, though. You don't have to be a certain size to be beautiful. I still have approximately 100 pounds to go, but I refuse to avoid pictures, be ashamed of myself, or call myself ugly.

I admire the positive attitudes and kindness of people on this forum so much

I want to be able to look at myself and say "I have a few pounds to lose and that's ok, I'm still a great person" but it's hard for me.

I have received so much criticism for my weight that it's hard for me to not feel embarrassed. I remember my grandmother pointing to an old picture of me where I weighed about 115 and saying to me "look at how pretty you used to be." She was just being honest but it really broke my heart. My parents, who are both very thin get on my case too. They mean well but it's so hurtful. Sometimes I wish they would tell me I'm beautiful no matter what.

Welcome It's really great you mustered up the courage to make your first post. After I joined this site I am filled with so much more motivation. What counts is that your here and you want to change. While people's stories are motivating you have to remember that every body is different. For some people, they recover a wonderfully healthy metabolism, but for others it is slow. For me.. I am losing about 1 lb a week. I think if you keep trying and realize there will be frustrating times, difficult times, and rewarding and happy times you can make it ! Welcome and good luck.

I am a new-comer too, and I think that momentum is essential! You have to be in this for yourself and stay focused! If you fail today, get back at it tomorrow, you can do this!
As for the woman @ WW, she was just acting out of her own insecurities. I have much more to lose than you but I would never mock the efforts of another like that, so ignore her and keep going.

If you only have a few pounds to lose, head on over to the Featherweights forum! They are very welcoming there and understand the unique challenges of those chicks who only have a few pounds to lose. Sometimes it's hard to find a place to fit in, especially when you only have a few pounds and you're comparing your journey to that of a person who has considerably more to lose.

Check it out! They will have all kinds of strategies and perspectives and will understand where you are coming from. There will definitely not be any eye-rolling or mocking (like the unkind lady at the WW meeting) at you in the Featherweight's forum--heck, I don't think you'd find that anywhere here on 3FC but it really sounds like the both of you are Featherweights.

Welcome. Glad you are here. I have more to loose but guess what, it doesn't matter. If YOU think losing a few pounds will make you feel better then do it. Don't let what anyone thinks make you feel bad.

I know how you feel having family members tell you what they think about your body not realizing the impact it will have on you. But if you keep coming back you will find the support you get here will help you meet your goals and then your family will begin to notice your confidence as you meet your goals. I would say while you are working on your weight goals it will also help you with your confidence.

Best wishes to you on your new journey.

Welcome Tina! I have been a member here for about a week now and I have noticed so many different forums for just about everyone! Like everyone has said try the feather weight forum and see how it goes. As for what other people say about your weight loss/gain, you can't change what other people say/think you can only change how YOU REACT to it. Do whats right for you and noone else!

And GOOD LUCK!!!!!

Nothing much more to add to the inspiring welcomes here but I also wanted to chip in that you'll definitely find the support you're looking for here!

As long as your weight loss is focused on being healthy, then don't let anyone make you feel like your journey isn't just as important as everyone else's!

5lbs or 500lbs, healthy is healthy and anyone that thinks otherwise shouldn't be your support in the first place. I haven't been to the featherweight's forum myself (I've got at least a good 40lbs to go myself ) but every forum on here I have been to is absolutely splendid.

Welcome, TinasGoal! This place is absolutely wonderful.

Our stats are pretty similar, so I know where you're coming from. Just because we have less to lose doesn't make it any easier. One of the challenges is that we may not see a large initial loss, so it's tough to garner motivation.

I had never weighed more than 144 except when I was pregnant, and now my body is stuck around 146. I am a lifetime member of Weight Watchers, but all the things that worked for me before aren't working anymore - maybe becuase I'm 41 now? So I'm trying different things - low-carb, different types of exercise, whatever it takes. I am determined to fit back into some of my old clothes by the summer. I've been wearing the same 3 pairs of pants over and over because I refuse to buy more clothes in a larger size!

Think about joining a challenge - weight loss, exercise, weigh-in, etc. I'm doing a Valentine's Day challenge, trying to get under 140 by then, and I post every day, which is helping me stay accountable.

Post often - it really helps.