Hi all. I found this site through another message board that I frequent and since I am starting down the long hard weight loss road I figured I could use all the help I can get. A little about me...

My name is Dawn, I'm 32, married, and a mom to three in three years. My reason for being here: I am on a quest to lose weight and get healthier in 2006, well, I'm starting now but with the holidays upon us I figured it's going to be very hard to start and stick to a weight loss plan but I'm going to do the best I can.... I have battled the bulge most of my life and I am now determined to take control and win the war. I was once in the military and a very buff size 8. I doubt I will ever see that again but I would like to stop buying my clothes in "specialty shops" and for them to not have XX in the size.

How overweight am I? Very. I prefer not to say the actual number because it's depressing to see but I will tell you I have 100+ pounds to lose. I know it's going to be a long journey but I'm up for the challenge.

How do I plan on losing the weight? Good old fashion diet and exercise! No fads, pills, shakes or "brand name" diets for me. I will not diet to the point of starvation but will make healthy modifications to my diet and add a lot more exercise to my days. I got the name of a nutritionist from my primary physicians so we can sit down and discuss food - what I'm doing wrong and what I'm doing right. I have also requested some workout DVDs for Christmas including a pedometer (I got strange looks but, hey, it's what I want )

I'm not going to look at the big picture of I have 100+ pounds to lose. In the past when I have done that I failed because the number always seemed too big and that I would never get there. This time I am going to set mini-goals for myself. I honestly think that reaching a mini goal will help to push me to the next and next because then I "know" I can do it.

So I think I've rambled long enough... I look forward to meeting others and sharing success stories or comforting when you feel like you've been knocked down.

Dawn

Hi, Dawn--

Congratulations on setting such a great foundation for change! I got started this time last year, and it was a challenge to deal with holiday eating and travels, but it actually gave me a little jump-start on the January resolutions.

This site has been very helpful for me. There's a Daily Check-in thread under Support; feel free to join us, we could use some new blood!

Good luck on your journey.

judy

Thanks for the welcome, Judy!

I'll be sure to check out the check in thread.

Hey Hopper,
sounds like you and I are in similar situations. I also have over 100 lbs to lose. I have NEVER been a buff size 8 so it's a little "easier" for me to deal with being over weight because I really don't have anything to compare it to. I just recently joined in here and I am amazed at all the support that I have found here. All wonderful people and NOTHING negative so far. I was welcomed with open arms and would like to do the same for you. If you ever need to talk.... I'm here! LOTS, LOTS, LOTS OF LUCK!! I know I can do it and if I can do it, you can too!

Hey Hopper. Welcome! I am also relatively new to the site (joined on Monday) and am amazed at how supportive everyone is. This is the first site that I feel like I can actually share my real thoughts and people relate to what I'm saying.

I was also in the military so I can relate to where you've been. I often say that I would gladly go through Basic again if I could because I came out 122# and a size 4/6. It was like a camoflouge Club Med!

Sounds like you are doing the right thing of setting mini-goals. I don't have a mini-goal ticker posted, but mine is to lose 25 pounds over the next three months. I'm doing Body for Life, which I've had success with in the past, and it runs in 12 week "challenges".

Best of luck to you!

Lisa