Hey everyone!

I've been reading quite a few threads on here before I finally decided to post. Everyone is so motivating on here! It's so great to have this community here where everyone can relate to each other and help one another!

I'm really dead set on losing weight this time. I've been saying it for a few years now but I'm more determined than ever now! I could really use all the help and support that's so evident on these boards!

My problem is sticking with a plan. Eating right and exercising! I was wondering if any of you have anything you can share with me that could help me in really reaching my goal and getting healthy! I feel so helpless and I don't know if I can actually reach my goal but I figure coming on here and asking for help is a step in the right direction! I really look forward to coming on here more often and reading everyone's inspiring stories while at the same time hopefully creating my own inspiring story

Hi! I'm new here too! The support and comments on this site are so honest. People say the things that I've been thinking but have never heard anyone else say. It's such a safe place to talk openly about weight issues.

I've been dieting (or at least stressing about my weight) for the last 15 years. But this time is different. Why? 1) I've dealt with some emotional issues that were at the core of my overeating problem. I realized that the helplessness I felt when dieting was really a symptom of the helplessness I felt in other areas of my life. It wasn't anything dramatic but issues I had to deal with like how to live with disappointment, regret, guilt (big one for me) and the expectations of others. These feelings will probably always be an issue in my life but I have a better understanding of the impact of these things and have developed some tools to deal with these feelings that doesn't involve food.

2) I've quit searching for the magic pill. I used to search magazines, the internet, etc. looking for the secret formula that would allow my eating to still be out of control and yet loose the weight. I tried food combining, no fat, no carbs, lots of protein, phentermine (prescription diet pills), etc. Each attempt worked, for a while, but never in the long run. The truth is you just have to eat fewer calories than you expend. There are many ways to ensure that you do this like WW, counting calories, restricting high calorie foods, etc. But they all accomplish the same thing.

Wow - I didn't mean to go on so long - but that I hope that my rantings help you on your journey! See you around the boards.

Welcome!

Joining the site is definitely a great step in your weight loss journey. I'm new too and everyone has been so friendly and helpful, it's really motivating.

What has worked for me in the past and seems to be working at the moment, are small goals and challenges that aren't overwhelming. Like, cutting out (or even limiting) one or two foods that weren't doing me any favours (pop and chips). And trying to fit in more exercise. I used to think I didn't have time for it. Turns out that if I switch off the tv and make an actual plan to exercise, I have plenty of time

You might want to consider having a goal like "lose 5 lbs by Easter", or "get 30 minutes of activity in each day". Doesn't necessarily have to be the gym - yesterday I hauled wheelbarrows of wood around and stacked it, and dug holes in my yard. Exhausting, but nice to be outside, and definitely a workout. Even something as small as commiting to taking the stairs at work every day is a great step.

Good luck!

Hey guys!

Thanks so much for your replies, I really appreciate it. hsmomof6, I've been searching for that magic pill or method too for the past year or so just so it would be easier so I wouldn't have to actually DO anything. Obviously that didn't work out so great cause here we are! Diet and exercise is the best and healthy way to go, and I've finally come to realize that!

CharlieBaby, I am trying to set smaller goals for myself. I haven't drank any soda since the new year! I wasn't that big of a fan of drinking soda in the first place but still! And I've cut out chips too

Thanks so much for all your help. I hope to see you guys around the boards! Oh and by the way, I'm posting this after having just exercised for half an hour...yay!

I have a quote on my bulletin board in front of me that a fellow 3FCer said: "To just simplify things - I always think that if there was a magic pill of some sort - Oprah would know about and wouldn't keep regaining her weight"

Keep coming back...I have learned so much here and have had the opportunity to meet so many awesome people!

I've done one major thing differently this time around and it's worked well for me. The realization that I would always fail on somebody else's plan and that I had to build one for myself.

So one of the first things I did was sit down and write a list of all the things that I had in my favor in terms of losing weight and all the things that were major barriers. Then I developed specific behaviours for my "plan" to take advantage of or mitigate these issues. For example, obviously my full lists were much longer...

Things in my Favor
1. When at home have a flexible work schedule
-Therefore I plan work calls/meetings around my ideal time to go to the gym which is at around 1030 in the morning.

2. I have a pretty easy time avoiding sweets all together, and a very hard time controlling portions once I start.
-Eat a full calorie sweet dessert no more than once a week, no reason to waste calories on something I don't miss much.

Key Barriers
1. I travel extremely frequently, which involves eating out 3x a day on expense account.
-Now I try to book hotels with fridges, and do dinners from the grocery store instead of a restaurant.
-Avoid meals with a carb as the base, always substitute veggies for starches as sides

2. I (at this point) seem to not possess the ability to leave food on my plate.
-Appropriately portion (or have my wife do it) my dinners in the kitchen and then put away all the leftovers before dinner starts.

And so on, you get the idea. But it's worked so much better to have a plan that takes advantage of my strengths and limits my weaknesses. And if you've tried and failed alot before as many of us have, you have a lot of information about what is easier for you and what is harder.

Again, thank you guys for all your posts!

Cathydoe I love that quote!! So true, Oprah would definitely know haha!

I like the idea of making a plan. I'm big on making lists and schedules and what not for myself because I like to be organized so doing that might actually help me since it's something I like! I'm trying to navigate through as many boards as I can when I get some free time, which isn't a lot at the moment due to finals coming up and papers are due soon!

I look forward to learning a lot on here. Thanks guys for making me feel so welcome