Hi, my name is Shannon. I'm 35yrs old and have been over weight my entire life. Right now I'm at my heaviest, 385lbs. I can't believe I've let myself get this large. I've tried every diet you can think of only to stick to it for a few days. Right now I'm going to start calorie counting and just eat less. I've read lots and lots on here and really enjoy the support you show each other. Looking forward to getting to know everyone.

Welcome, Shannon! 3FC has been a tremendous support for me and I am sure that it will be for you too. I look forward to seeing your posts and hearing about your progress!

Hi Shannon!

Welcome to 3FC. You can do this! I lost 193 pounds by counting calories. It didn't really take all that long either once I got the hang of it. Please keep posting. It seems the people who post regularly are the most successful at losing the weight and then keeping it off. Even if you stumble...keep posting. We'll pick you up, or kick you in the butt, whatever you are needing at the time!

So how many calories a day are you going to eat...whats the plan?

I'm going to start with 1800-2000 cal a day. I've started a journal and I'm going to write everything down. I just noticed that I've been a member since 2006! This is the first time I've posted. I'm going to keep posting. I have thought about surgery many times. I don't want to do surgery. I want to take control of this all by myself. ( or with the help of you all here) Thanks for the warm welcome.

Hi Shannon, from another Shannon! Don't we have just the prettiest name? I've always loved it.

I sure know exactly how you feel about "how did I let this happen?". I've been a member here since 2008, so you think I'd be in maintenance mode by NOW, huh! I came back to this site around the end of May (at a way higher weight than when I originally joined ), and since then I have been doing really great changing my eating habits, getting moving more, and posting here lots to get that oh-so-needed support and inspiration! Now that I am back and have my head on straight(er), I am committed to staying active on this site. Before when I'd go back to my old ways, the first thing I would stop doing was coming here. Denial is a very powerful thing. And I know if I come here on a regular basis it will be harder for me to hide the truth from myself. So I'd make that step 1 -- commit to visiting this site regularly. Seems super easy!

I am calorie counting, too, which I absolutely love. Nothing is really off limits, but I do make a great effort to severely limit empty carbs and sugary stuff. Even if I make allowances in my calorie count for a ho-ho, all that does is lead me to CRAVE another ho-ho like an insane person. Another wise poster here once said that it is easier to say no to the first (chip, cookie, etc) than the second, and boy did that hit home with me! Lots of lean meats (I am a true meat lover and it just SATISFIES me!), tons of veggies and a moderate amount of fruits, low fat/light yogurts, whole wheat pita or bread in moderation. It took a little bit of squirming at the beginning to get rid of the cravings for all the stuff I used to gorge myself on, but now I am honestly totally satisfied with the food I eat, and often after dinner I actually feel full and pass on the fruit or yogurt I had allowed for a snack. It's really pretty amazing to me that I am enjoying food/eating/cooking more now than ever -- because I was fully expecting to feel totally deprived, gripping the steering wheel the WHOLE way.

I absolutely LOVE FOOD -- shopping for it, preparing it, eating it, smelling it, everything about it! And the GREAT news is, I have not had to give up my passion for food to do this! I just need to use my imagination a bit, and embrace the beautiful, fresh, delicious whole foods available to us and quit thinking about the salty dehydrated stuff in a box. Not too hard of a trade-off once you get past that evil craving bit.

Anyway, I know I wrote a book here, but I am just really excited about this new lifestyle, and I wanted to see if I could get you thinking about it as an exciting adventure rather than an exercise in torture and deprivation.

Good luck, Shan!

Sounds like an EXCELLENT plan. Can't wait to watch you shrink!

Hello!
I'm new here, too. I started to calorie count and write down everything I ate about 7 weeks ago, down to 300 from 315.

I found that at the very beginning, lots of the low calorie foods I was eating (like veggies, skinless chicken breast) seemed icky and impossibly bland. But I'm already starting to discover new flavors (I never knew I loved hot sauces!) and spices (my favorite this week is cumin) that make the foods that are good for me seem less of a snore.

Welcome!!

Welcome to the group to both of you ladies! Just jump right in!

Hi, Shannon. Welcome aboard. There are a lot of people here who have been in your shoes and understand how difficult it is to make a commitment to start. You can do this...even if you don't quite believe it yet.

Welcome Shannon and PDXgirl

I look forward to seeing you succeed.

Thanks everyone! One day at a time, or for me one hour at a time.

Hi Shannon!

I'm new here also and starting close to the same weight as you. I have considered the surgery route too but I think sometimes doing things the old fashioned way is best.

I'm doing a 2000-2300 calorie plan with 30 min daily exercise.

If you ever need to vent or talk..shoot me a PM.

Welcome ladies!!! Good to see you here. I know you can do it! If you fall off the wagon or if you cheat, don't run away. Just keep going. It is hard to acquire good eating habits and falling off plan DOES happen to everyone at one point in the beginning. However, you know you will make it if you pick yourself back up and keep trying. I agree, posting here daily does help you to keep on track or it has for me.

Justme - That sounds like a great plan. Since you are counting calories and writing what you eat down, I suggest using Myplate (www.livestrong.com/myplate). It is a awesome tool! I love it. Also, I have been a member here for a long time too (came back off and on)... So don't feel bad! This is the first time I actually have stuck to the program longer than a month. It is also the first time I lost more than 10 lbs!

Hi all, I also am new, I started on Wednesday (9-8-01) Am excited to lose the weight. Why did I not lose any weight the 5th day on program, I did not cheat. Anybody have any clues, I also walked for half an hour.