Hi,

I'm Maria, I live in the UK, I'm 21 yrs old, 5'5" and 186lbs (at last weigh in). I desperately want to lost weight and my ultimate goal is 120lbs. I've been overweight for pretty much all of my life, minus one period when I was 15 and I had glandualr fever which meant I lost 25lbs in a few weeks and managed to keep most of it off for a year.

This is my highest weight, but I have been here more than once. 2003 I changed my eating habits completely and went to the gym twice a week and I managed to get down to 147lbs in three months, but then I met a guy and stopped going to the gym and it went downhill, even more so when we broke up and so I ended up back where I started. However, this means that I KNOW I can lose the weight, I have done it before and I can do it again and keep it off this time.

My first goal is 182lbs and then they decrease by 7lbs each time. I am eating as healthily as I can (being a student means the luxury of lots of fresh fruit and veg is often just too expensive for me ) and I have started to go to the gym twice a week again. I am aiming for a big loss between now and November, which is when one of my best friends is getting married, so I want to look and feel good on such a great occasion.

I would love to have some buddies of similar stats/situations/ages, for challenges and general support. I will try my hardest to help you succeed too

Good Luck and Have a great day everyone!!

Maria
xx

Maria, I just wanted to welcome you to the forum!
I congratulate you on making a move to get the weight off while you're young. Some of us "older ones" have hung onto our weight for far too long.

I wish you the very best.

Thanks Ellis... I myslef feel that I've hun gonto the weight for far too long.I managed to give up smoking for my health and wellbeing, now I am ready and willing to do what it takes to give up the excess weight and give it up for good

Hi Maria,

Im 24 and work in London.

I've been in a similar situation to you with weight loss/gain. I lost 28lbs a few years ago thru going to the gym and healthy eating. Like you, I met my boyfriend and started copy cat eating! But given that he's 6ft 3 you can imagine how quickly the weight came back on!

I've joined the gym recently too. Am aiming for 3 sessions a week and hopefully an exercise class too.

I know what you mean about fruit and veg being so expensive in this country! My tip would bet to get down to your local market whenever possible. The produce is always super fresh and way cheaper than the supermarkets. And you can always haggle with them!

I'd love to be your buddy so we can help eachother this mission!

Hi bone idle,

I should go to markets and such more often, there are a few near me, but I never think to visit them!

Well done in getting back to the gym and getting on track - the first few steps are really hard, especially going to a gym when you don't feel too great about the way you look.

I've sent you a PM about buddying

Good Luck and have a great day

Maria
xx

Hi Maria, I am 25, single, I live in the US in the lovely state of Florida. I like fresh fruits and vegetables, get them at the local grocery stores and the Wal-mart supercenter. Personally I like Publix better than Wal-mart, they have more items that you need in stock, there is a better selection of foods, and the people who work there are friendlier, nicer and more helpful, you don't have to bag your own groceries. i have been overweight since I was about 14-15. I have lost it some. One time I lost the weight becasue I basically lost my appetite and was starving myself, I was also moody, depressed, grumpy and mean and self-pitying during that period of my life. I am doing much better mentally, now I want to loose my weight and be healthy and look better. I am 5'2" tall, I weigh about 171lbs.