Hello Everyone,

I am a new member to this website and would like to say a hearty HELLO to each and every one of you.

I am desperate to lose 75 lbs, and I currently weigh approximately 250 pounds at 5'9" tall. I am a single woman and have never been married, and I would love more than anything to be in a loving, committed relationship with a man who truly loves me . . . but how can I expect a man to love me if I don't love myself? I hate the way that I look and I hate the way that it makes me feel about myself.

I'm sick of wearing girdles, plus sized clothing and support bra's. I want to change my life and be happy and confident about who I am and the image that I project to the world. I have a chronic and quite serious back condition that keeps me in the bed most of the time, so it's really hard to quit packing on the pounds. I'm now over 50 lbs bigger than I was when I was 9 months pregnant with my son, who's now 14!

Ironically, I don't have the problem of being addicted to sweets like most overweight people are. I can look at cookies, ice cream, cakes, etc. and not desire any of it. My downfall is fried foods and starches. My favorite food? FRENCH FRIES! I LOVE them. And believe it or not, I don't eat a lot either. My family, friends and co-workers are puzzled by how little I eat and still remain so big. I don't binge and purge either. Once I feel myself starting to get full, I stop eating. If I didn't, I'd probably be around 350 or 400 pounds by now, but I'm depressed enough about being 250.

I figure that my two main problems are lack of exercise due to my medical condition and the kind of foods that I eat. White Castle, McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's . . . my second homes! I refuse to give up though. I'm currently wearing Size 18-20, and I am determined to get into a Size 12 COMFORTABLY by May 2005. That's my goal!

Hello, and welcome to 3FC! I understand your love for fast food. I used to be the same way until I gave it up. Now I want it little to none. It's just not the same anymore. Changing foods really changed my taste for what I like the best.

What kind of diet plan are you interested in?

Hi Epiphany1968!

Congratulations on your epiphany and determination to loose weight! Hope you'll find support and help here.

It is really a great goal you're having: to love and take care of yourself better before looking for a relationship.
Sorry to hear about your back - can you do any form of exercise? If your two main problems are lack of exercise and the kind of food you're eating - what can you do to change those?
Like Jennifer said: what kind of diet plan are you interested in?

I'm 36, a student (grad school, psychology), and (a happy) single. I've lost 50 pounds so far, and I'm not following a set plan. I'm counting calories, keeping to 1500 a day, eating healthy (whole grains, lots of vegetables, fish, very little sugar, lots of water, etc), and exercising every day. I'm also alternating between periods where I'm loosing weight and maintaining - I have a history of yo-yo dieting and need to do everything *really slowly*.

You should check out the "Dieting with Health Problems" forum too, and see if you can find someone in a similar situation as you.
Hope to hear from you again. Best of luck!

Mette and Jennifer 3FC,

Thank you SO much for your warm welcome and great advice. I believe that God led me to this website to find the encouragement and motivation that I need to keep going.

You have no idea how wonderful it was for me to see your replies so soon after making my first post. Everyone seems to be so kind and supportive of each other here, and that's exactly what I've been looking for; people who understand what I'm going through.

Here's wishing you both well on your individual journeys and thank you again for your support and encouragement.

Epiphany1968
Chicago, IL