Hi everyone, I'm new to this site. My name is Natalie and I'm 27 years old.
In 2005 I weighed 130lbs and wore a size 6 pants. Today I weigh 200lbs and wear a size 16.

After getting married in 2005, my husband and I moved to China. What an amazing experience..unfortunately, I was homesick A LOT and would sneak to McDonalds/Pizza Hut/any western food that reminded me of home. I gained a lot of weight...and I have never really gotten out of that mentality for some reason.

Today, I have a severe neck/back and shoulder injury. It has been 9 months since it happened and I have gained at least 40 pounds. (with depression, pills, not being able to move, etc.)

Does anyone have any advice for me or are you in a similar situation? Have you been successful with weight loss even though you are not able to exercise?

I would LOVE to hear from anyone! What have you done???
Thanks!
~Natalie~

Hi Natalie and welcome to the board!

We're glad you came here for support - this is a great place to share and find a little extra motivation! :-)

I have sort of a similar story to your own: I was fit in high school, gained a bit when I met the hubby, gained even more after the wedding, and then got into a car accident resulting in back injury. My back injury was substantial enough to keep me from a lot of exercises, so I used that excuse to become enormous. But, that's where the story turns around because I'm on a steady road towards success!

Let the past go, don't beat yourself up over the weight gain: just fix it! It's going to take a lot of changes, but we can do this. We're young and vibrant and can get into the best shape of our lives if we stick to it.

Congratulations on taking the first steps towards a new, healthier, happier you! :-)

ok lets make a deal... never call yourself a blob again! having negative talk to yourself will keep you at 200 pounds. You have to have a positive attitude and think highly of yourself and you WILL BE ABLE TO DO IT!! please take a look at my blog I have before and during pictures and if i can do it you CAN to!! get moving even if it is one mile a day and eat healthy foods no more MC D's and journal your food. I am on Weight watchers and I would recommend it to anyone!!
please get back to me and let me know how you are doing

hi natalie

im 28 so we're close in age.

i was thin my entire life without even trying until about 2004. then i started packing on the weight and went from 140 to 220 in 3 years. then for about another year and a half i moped about it and complained.

i started counting calories. i like it because it's flexible and free.

also, weight loss is about 10% exercise and 90% food. ive lost all mine with relatively low amounts of exercise.

p.s. lol at the blob thing. i used to tell my husband i looked like a polka dot.

Welcome to the board. I don't have much advice, but I will offer my support. You CAN do it. Remember you didn't put all the weight on over night and it isn't going to all come off over night. Set mini goals for yourself. We can all get healthy. Your Dr. may have some exercises you can do for your injury.

Thanks for your kind words and support everyone!
I am going to try to do Weight Watchers again...I still have the points slider from years ago...I should give it another shot!
You'll be happy to know that I have started to walk my dog a little every day...it's painful, but it gets me out and it's good to get the fresh air. My dog loves it too of course!
I'll keep you updated with my progress
GO SABRES!!

~Natalie~

and you are right about the blob thing...i think i have been too hard on myself!

Good job- that's so great! Walking your dog is beneficial all around: for you, for your dog and for your relationship with the dog! You're on your way to success! :-)

Hi Natalie.

I'm Deb and I am new here, too. Like you, I'm overweight but determined to lose it. I follow the Biggest Loser Plans and it seems to be working for me. I also walk, use my rebounder (a mini-trampoline type of apparatus), and ride my bicycle. I also do strength training since my upper-body strength is deplorable! YIKES! I will get there, though. The hardest thing for me to do is to remember that I cannot go at all of this as intensely as I would like to. I'm over 50 so I had to get my doctor's advice about what I can and cannot do which is helping me to not injure myself which is a good thing! LOL! Anyway, welcome and remember to take care of yourself so you don't get hurt in anyway. My late husband said something that still sticks with me: "The small steps we take today help us to lay a good foundation for the bigger steps we will be taking later on so that we can succeed."

Deb