Hi. I am 18 years old. I currently weigh about 218-220 lbs. I would like to get down to the 140s. I am 5'5 or 5'6".

I have been struggling with my weight for 6 years. (Before that, I wasn't conscientious of my weight.) I have always been "big." I don't look obese but according to my BMI, I am. I look overweight. Most people describe it as "chubby," to me, but they could just be putting it lightly. (Lightly; a pun, right?!)

I have cried, hated myself, etc. but I think I am finally ready to take control of my body instead of allow myself to become heavier. I have always had such trouble with motivation.

A week ago I was thinking to myself, "if I had started to lose weight years ago when I knew I wanted to lose weight, I'd be thin right now." and I really didn't want to be sitting at the same weight (or higher) in a year thinking the same thing.

Recently, I have started walking daily. I go for a medium-paced walk for about an hour and a half in the afternoon. I am drinking a lot more water. I am eating less often. I think I will try to start jogging (although I am terribly out of shape and can't jog long) 3 or 4 times a week. Does anyone else have any suggestions?

I am what doctors would call "large framed." I have an intense fear that I will lose all the weight and still look like a "big" girl. I would really like to be small. I am almost obsessed with the idea. I want to be able to be picked up by people, I want to be able to go to the beach, I want to wear pretty clothes, I want to be called pretty.

As I am fresh out of high school, name-calling is still affecting me. I have been compared to "Fiona" from "Shrek" when she was an ogre, lol. As ridiculous as this is, I would MUCH rather be compared to her in her human appearance, lol.

Hey. I'm going through the same problem. I really need a motivator too. youtube seem to inspire me for a bit. but that only last for like a day.

I am inspired by Youtube videos of weight loss for a day or two as well. I can't seem to get the motivation to stick.

Yeah same thing. I"m new on this site. Does it give useful tips? I'm still learning how to use this. And Is it possible to pm?

Seems like there are a lot of new people here lol. So I guess I will welcome all of you at once.

Congrats on deciding to live a healthier lifestyle! It's not easy at first, but it will become second nature if you stick to it long enough. I suggest joining challenges on this site as they help you stick with it. I personally have a weight sheet on my bathroom wall. Every morning I weigh myself and write it down on the sheet. This is a great motivator as it makes me eat better so I don't have to record a bad number!

I also calorie count. I FAIL at regulated diets like atkins, south beach or ANYTHING that forbids certain foods. With calorie counting, I can still eat my beloved pizza and nachos. I just can't eat 6 pieces or 5 plates of them! It does seem annoying at first, but it becomes easier and easier. Plus, as the scale goes down you get more motivated.

If you are a nighttime snacker like a lot of people, coming on this site instead of snacking is a huge tip. It makes you realize that the cookies just arn't worth it. The goal photos on here are amazing! I love youtube as well, but I do like looking on this site more because I can go and see all the threads those people have created during their journey, and I can see that they struggled just like I am. It's nice to see that it didn't just magically fall off of them and that they had to work their butts off.

Anyways, good luck with everything!

Hey. I've been there, I know what you're going through

3fc is a great place to get support. Please join us in the 20 something's forum

And also, learn to love yourself as you are now. you are a beautiful person regardless of your size