The thin woman inside of me who is screaming to be on the outside can usually be shut up with a huge chunk of chocolate cake

I'm on a mission - to be a happier, healthier, thinner version of me.

I have a lot of weight to lose and instead of taking the "I needed to lose 100 lbs yesterday" approach, I'm gearing myself up to realize that it's probably going to take at least 1/2 the time to lose it as it did to gain it, so realistically? Probably 4 years in the making, starting about 4 months ago... (Hey! Only 44 months to go!)

I have a very supportive partner who adores me no matter what shape/size I am, but boy - it would be nice if I was that hot lil number he deserves to have hanging off his arm. (He's previously a body builder on a semi-pro circuit).

I'm always looking for tips, tricks and ideas - and I'd love to meet a few new friends along the way!

Wish me luck - I'm taking the big plunge!

Great intro... loved it. I totally know what you mean about the thin girl inside you screaming to get out. I feel exactly the same way! LOL to the comment about how you used to be able to shut her up with cake... so true, isn't it?

I think you have a great attitude about this and a realistic goal in mind... slowly but surely wins the race!

Find a few boards that you like posting on/ keeping up with and make some new friends.

Welcome, you sound very realistic in your approach which will be helpful for the long journey! It sounds like you have great support and I'm sure some excellent training from your partner. My advice is try to enjoy food and its natural taste and avoid processed stuff. Everyone has to use their own trial and error for what is best for them, experiement some and I'm sure you'll be on your way! The biggest thing IMO is movement, get out there and remind your muscles of their job! It'll feel great!

Congratulations !

Good luck, and welcome to the site.

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone!

So far I think that I have the right mind set, but I've done this so many times (like most people struggling have) that I hope I'm not just fluffing myself up again.

I guess, as cliche as it sounds - I'm taking this one step at a time. Unfortunately those steps are on the treadmill (ARGH!) and not on some sandy beach with a nice cool drink in my hand. Ha! A girl can dream right?

Charlie is a great support for me, but we have such different goals that very often we don't get to eat the same or work out the same. He's trying to gain muscle and maintain body fat - I'm trying to lose body fat and not keel over in the process. LOL.

I don't think that's the case... how many people who got to goal here on 3FC did it in the first try? I would wager more started and stopped more than once... The difference being that instead of stopping they kept on going. You just have to get back up again, no matter how many times you fall. Eventually you will get where you're going.

If I had to pick my biggest fumbles in the weight loss war - it would have to be that I don't seem to be able to motivate myself. Even now, with the gym - Charlie has to wake me up (at the unholy hour of 4 am) to get to the gym with him. If I don't go with him? I don't go. Yep - I'm THAT unmotivated.

Combine that with the whole "I think I'll eat THIS because it TASTES GOOD (when I should be eating to satisfy hunger, not my taste buds)" and I've pretty much laid out my path destined for failure more than one time.

I think I'm finally to the point that I want to get myself healthy though. I just need people to push me along the way until I get my own footing....

(hint hint, nudge nudge lol)

Totally understandable... perhaps you could try working out at a different time of day. I am not a morning person so 4am is just not appealing to me. LOL.

Motivation... it's a tricky thing. I can't really go off motivation very long because I tend to get all excited about something and then get bored with it. I find sheer willpower is really what gets me through. Ya gotta make yourself do it sometimes, even if it sucks.

For instance, tonight I am going out for dinner with a friend. I have been having a mental battle with myself. "It's just one night... why not have the chips and salsa..." "No, what do you want more? To get under 200lbs or eat some chips?" ...LOL... It is all going to come down to my willpower tonight.

Also, if you need someone to chat with from time to time you can feel free to drop me a line.

i so understand where you are coming from. I am channeling the skinny woman inside me as well,however, the lack of motivation and when the time of the month comes are my down falls. Hopefully, this time around, I will stay committed-because I am tired of feeling trapped in this body. I miss my 145lb healthy weight. I miss being energized.

Kae - I may have to take you up on that offer. Fortunately, I have a job. Unfortunately, it involves sitting on my rump behind a desk ALL DAY. (I force myself to get up and walk around the shop a few times a day, for sanities sake!) Having someone to kick me in gear when I need it is something I could totally appreciate

Bellenoir - I'm not sure that I've ever weighed 145 lbs except when I was a kid. How sick is that to say?

I've pretty much pin pointed the beginning of my massive weight gain. My school records show that when I was in grade 6 I weight XX lbs. When I was in grade 7, the beginning of the year after my parents divorce and seperate living situations, I weighed XXX lbs (I gained 60! SIXTY!!! pounds in a SUMMER!)

Emotional binge eater anyone?

Ugh.

Arie- I feel ya... I'm at my desk at work right now... Don't tell the boss. LOL.

Also, I get what you are saying about gaining 60 lbs in a summer. I was a thin kid too until my parent's divorced... then I put on a little. Then my dad died and I totally blew up... I'm definately an emotional eater.

Kae - I'm at work too. People keep putting files on my desk, or calling, or emailing or whining that they need something. Sheesh - can't they see I'm trying to attend to personal business on company time?!?

LOL... I know, right... how selfish of them.

Not sure how to send you a PM... maybe it's not in your settings... Anyways, I was just going to say I started a 10 day challenge on the 100 LB Club today if you wanna pop in a join...

I'm not sure how to set up PMs and all that stuff yet. Sorry - I should probably look into that eh?

I'll stop in there today and see what it's all about.