I am so stressed out this week, and will be until the end of April. Firstly, it's exam time. I'm a study-snacker, and it's been **** trying to resist and get over the "You need food to study! If you don't eat now, you'll do poorly. Wouldn't you rather have good grades? You'll get back on track in May!" thoughts that keep running through my head. Luckiliy, I've just been guzzling water and snacking on carrots or raspberries.

Secondly, no support from my parents. I do the grocery shopping, and they've been commenting that I'm bringing in healthy foods (not in a positive way). Today, my mom said to me, "For those of us who aren't trying to eat healthy, I bought cookies." She also bought chocolate cakes. I've resisted thus far, and I probably will resist completely (I don't really have the desire to eat them), but it still sucks to know that my family not only isn't supporting me, but also seems to be trying to subvert me.

Thirdly, I feel huge. I've lost 20lbs, and I'm sort of plateauing, though I'm going to increase my exercise. I called a gym recently (an all-female gym who promote body-acceptance and showed people on their commercials who have lost 80lbs, etc) and when they asked how much weight I had to lose I said "Probably about 100lbs", and the woman said, "Wow! Really?! That's a lot!" Um. Yeah. She kind of made me feel absolutely awful, and ashamed of my size. I'm usually pretty okay with how I look, though I recognize a need for change, but she made me feel like dirt and pretty much put me off the idea of going to a gym.

I'm trying to take solace in the fact that at the end of this month I'll be out of school for awhile, and free to have the time to exercise and go out and explore, not have to sit in a classroom or study all day, but the next two weeks are going to be really hard. I'm really lucky to have you guys as a support system; I'm sure I'd cave in to bingeing without you.

Hi Kashi! Sounds like you have some great strategies in place with the water, carrots, and berries. Also, congrats on losing 20 lbs! That is no wimpy feat! Next time you are at the store, pick up 20 lbs of butter sticks and know that you have dumped that much weight. Awesome!

That is also great that you sought out that gym. Sounds like you need to become their next success story and educate that woman on what you can do when you set your mind to it!

I am sorry that your parents are not very supportive. That makes it harder for you and even more impressive that you are making and sticking to these awesome changes!

Keep on keepin' on, my dear!

You have support right here! You're doing fantastic, a 20lb loss is great!

I'm sorry your parents aren't supportive. Whatever you do, don't eat those cookies! Prove to them that you are going to do this, with or without their help. Keep shopping the way you are and make them get thier own junk food.

As far as the gym goes I'd probably call up and tell a manager that they lost a potential client because of what the employee said. *disclaimer, I always call and make sure the boss knows when I'm treated like crap! I'm a business owner and if an employee doesn't have good customer service then they're gone.* Don't get discouraged, join another gym and prove to that girl that, yeah, 100lbs may be a lot to lose, but you can do it!

Keep up the great work and try to stay positive!

Kathy

I agree that you need to let the manager of that gym know how you were treated. They care about the bottom line and customer satisfaction affects that. I would want to know, if I owned the gym. I feel for you about your parents, when I lived at home mine were the same way. All I can say is that when people know they need to change but can't quite get it together and then see someone else actually doing it (especially your child, after all the parent is supposed to be the "example") it brings out some really ugly feelings. Just think how eating this good healthy food and working out will give you more energy to study and succeed on your finals. I'm sorry you're having a rough time. It will get better!

Hi Kashi! First You Lost Twenty Pounds! That is so great. Give yourself a lot for that. Just a thought to keep you on track during those stressful study and exam times, eat enough protein. It really will help keep those cravings down and fuel your brain for those exams! Keep telling yourself you are doing great! Because you are.

You are living with sabetours! That is hard, so hard. A quote that has helped me is Do I really want to lost weight? Tell yourself I am not about cake!

I would think about a trial week at this gym and see if it is a place you want to be. I love the health club I go to and the people there. I never thought I would say that... I go as much as possible. It is coed and people of all sizes and ages. I don't get a lot of support from friends and I do get it from like minded people at the club. That can help.

I have not been posting that much, but coming here does help! You can do this!

I know what you mean about the study snacking - that is really hard! Grades are really important, so don't stress yourself out too much with the eating. It isn't to use studying as an excuse to snack, but if you haven't developed alternate coping mechanisms this time around, don't be too hard on yourself.

As far as your parents go, would it be possible to get your doctor to say you needed to be on a certain diet for your health? Your parents might respect your doctor's authority and give you less of a hard time. Also, are there things you could still buy for your family that they would consider good junk that you don’t like? For example, I am not at all tempted by certain cookies, anything with licorice in it, etc. If you could find things that don’t tempt you but satisfy them then you don’t need to worry about whether you buy it or not.

I don't get a lot of support at home either, and it is hard. I don't know what I would do without this site!

You're amazingYou have such determination, and you're losing weight at a really difficult time with no/little support in real life. So repeat after me I'm amazing!

I have quoted the above because the lady may not have meant what you think she meant. If I had heard that I would have heard "oh my god she's huge" too. But I think what she meant was, "100 lbs is a lot, are you sure you really need to lose that much?"

I had that comment from a gym instructor "what you want to lose THAT much", so me being me jumped on the scales in front of him, and he saw my 262lb, and said "hmmmm you're right I'll shut up now"

So don't be discouraged.

You are doing a fantabulous job, and just keep going kiddo!

I can only echo what everyone else has said. It's fabulous that you've lost 20 lbs, particularly when your family are giving you so little support. Knowing that you're doing this for you and not them is something that I hope you can hang on to and help you carry on.

Stay strong, you're worth it! Good luck with your exams.

~Dee

I think your are doing awesome and just remember you have all the suport anyone would need right here! Keep up the great work! You are doing awesome buying nurtitious foods and good luck on your exams!

Hang in there, girly girl! You're doing great!

If it was Curves you had contacted, I think it was meant as an "are you sure?" kinda thing. I just joined and when I told them how much I thought I needed to lose, she measured me and said that inches usually went with the size of clothing I would be happy to be in, which made my weight loss less than I thought. Kinda good for motivation!

If you don't mind my asking, are your parents overweight?

Thanks everyone. I'm staying strong so far.

LakeGirl: Nope, it wasn't Curves. The tone I got from her was that "Gee, you must be fat!" but I suppose I could have misinterpreted. And yes, both my parents are overweight.