Hi, I'm brand new to here. I was looking for diet forums for plus sized people and I came across fat chicks. I've even started a blog through here to try and make sure I stay on track! I made a big intro post on there today which pretty much categorizes my whole fat life, but if you're not interested in reading that I understand.

To summarize it up, I've been fat since childhood and pretty much weight yo-yoed from a size 20-32W. I'm currently at around 350-360 mark, size 32 pants which is the biggest I've ever been. I usually stay at a size range of 22-26 but recently went through a big depression and added 100 pounds on in less than a year, and I've been trying to just stay at this weight for a year and it's a challenge with the depression eating. I've got a lot of health problems from carrying all this weight now; high blood pressure, borderline type 2 diabetes, borderline high cholesterol, most likely sleep apnea, etc. I'm at high risk for gout, and cancer. So I'm trying to change stuff around for me, so I can function normally.

My ultimate dream goal would be size 14/16 or maybe even an 18/20. But I'd like to be able to shop in normal sizes and a bit of plus, and at places like H&M and forever 21.. So I'm not even sure if 14/16 would be enough to shop there? But I really don't want to lose more than that...although who knows if I start losing I could change my mind. I think to be a 14/16 I'd need to be 190, maybe 180? Not really sure.

My small time goal for the here and now is to lose as much healthily in the next eight months that I can. I'd like to get down to a size 22/24 by then but that would be dropping like 9 to 11 sizes I think and I'm not sure if that’s an unrealistic goal? Worst case scenario I'd like to at least get down to a 26/28 so I can find pants in stores and have my clothes I have fit me instead of being super snug. I set the goal of eight months because I will be transferring to a new university and I'd like to look better and feel better about myself. My fats kept me a prisoner for too many years.

I posted my goal plan on my blog, sorry I can't link to it since I'm new, and I feel like my goals are a bit lofty. I'm not really sure what to do. I'm a full time student who has classes Monday through Friday so I can't schedule in gym time beyond the Zumba class I have scheduled twice a week. I don't have the funds for expensive programs.

Any ideas for good goals for myself, or anything else? I'd appreciate any support you could give me.

Thanks in advance for any comments and advice.

WELCOME! I started at a 24W in April and am now about a 14W in 8 months. I am a calorie counter and have taken it slowly with exercise. No matter what the goal, healthier is better. Cheering you on! Remember, one day at a time, one meal at a time, one pound at a time

Given the height difference you are probably right at the same size I was when I started this journey in 2008. I went on very strict Atkins and ended up losing 99 lbs in 6 months, from a size 30 top/32 bottom to a 22 top/24 bottom. I was 370 lbs/size 32 August 2008 and by February 2010 I was around 215 lbs, size 14 top/16 bottom. Throughout 2010/2011 I gained - lost - gained - lost, up to a 20 then back down to a 14/16. I still wear some small 18s but am pretty consistently a 16 bottom, and I can wear 12/14 and Large tops, and I even have a couple of Mediums that fit. I'm 42 years old, I don't think you posted your age.

Consistently staying on plan, whatever plan works for you, and consistent exercise are key. But the most important for me is attitude. I will not stop until I get to a place where I'm happy. I am much happier now in a 14/16 than I was in a 30/32, but, I'm still very overweight and I need to lose AT LEAST 50 more lbs, maybe more.

You can do it!!!! We're here for you!!!

Welcome! I too am new! And like you have yo yo'd myself into who I am today and it's only me who can get me out of it. I have not started a healthy eating plan just yet, but will begin on Monday. New year, new me! I have been reading the South Beach book and think I am leaning that way more and more. I am terrible at counting calories and not so sure I would remain firm with it. Just not sure yet. I have a couple of days to make up my mind.

Hope to see you around and shouting out to you, "YES YOU CAN DO THIS".
All these motivating people and examples are very inspirational!

Jen

Welcome! Good for you for starting on a new, healthier life.

Not to be a downer, but one thing you should expect is that the first 10-20 pounds won't make as much of a difference in terms of clothings sizes as the pounds that follow. Think about it this way: if you're 60 inches around at the hips (as I am), there's more "poundage" in one inch than for someone who's 36 inches around. So the difference doesn't show as much at the beginning as it does later, and the sizes don't change as rapidly either. You'll need some patience and persistence.

You can find lots of support in your journey here. Have a great time!

workingonme!

I think I dreamt I responded to this thread. More than likely, I was distracted by something shiny and didn't LOL.

Come join us on the monthly threads, the uplifting thread and the accountability thread!!

I must confess that I've been hanging around 3FC for a long time with times of some success and other times of horrid frustration. Folks love to hear the fierce inspiration of people wanting to make big changes, but you will find the vets will quietly tell you to add small manageable changes once the high gear motivation wanes a bit. It's been the small stuff that has been adding up for me.

Please stick around and let us get to know you more. There are ups and downs in this journey and we are all in it for good and bad (omg I sound like I'm reciting marriage vows! LOL).

Hugs,
Ratkity

Hey there! I started back on the healthy eating wagon again about two 1/2 months ago, weighing 366. Since then I've lost about 24 pounds and counting!

This is a great place to get support in your weight loss/healthy living journey. Keep jumping into threads and get involved!

Hi. I'm here too & already see so much motivation.
I'm currently at 310 & a size 22.
I wish you must success! We can do this!

Welcome! You've taken the first step and it was the hardest one so take each day one step at a time. I wanted to share some good things that I have been doing that might help you. I have been tracking my calories on fitday.com which really helps me. I have been keeping it at 2,000 calories since I am still over 300 pounds. (In the future I know I will have to reduce that.) I keep away from my trigger foods, chocolate, sugar and salty things. No snacks in between and I have been successful, except for the two weeks around Christmas and New Years. On that website, it also has goals to set for weight loss. It will let you know if you are being realistic or not. Love the site because it also has a journal for writing down how I feel which is really great to go back and read once in awhile. It's great to be motivated by something I have actually said! LOL! But this website has also helped me tremendously too. All these people are strangers to me but we are all in the same boat! It is always great to go down the same path with someone who has been there too!
Good Luck!