First name: Shirley Francis

Geographical location: Lafayette, Indiana

Age:23

Marital Status:married

Children/Ages:5 year old daughter

Occupation: paraprofessional at a high school

Pets:Gir (my dwarf hamster)

Hobbies/Interests: playing with my daughter, going on walks with the neighbor's dogs

Height:5'9"

Eye/Hair Color:blond hair/ green eyes

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Today!! May 13, 2008

Starting Weight:314

Present Weight:314

Goal Weight:140

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: The feelings of deprivation against wanting sweets

Following any specific plan: Thinking about joining Weight Watchers

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I realize that I want to be around for my family and be healthier for them.

Anything else you would like to share with us: It is going to be a hard, emotional journey for me and all the support that I can get is going to be great. Thank you all!

Shirley F

Hi shirley. It is nice to meet you. You have come to the right place for support... Just take it one pound at a time. It gets a little overwhelming when you look at that big number and think OMG I have that much to lose. But if you sent little mini goals like 10 pounds at a time, it is a lot easier. Oh and you said that your hurdle would be feeling deprived of sweets. DO NOT DEPRIVE yourself of anything. The moment you say u cant have something you are going to last for a while and then you are going to binge on it. So do everything in moderation. For example, my cousin LOVES LOVES LOVES chocolate, (she does weight watchers) so she figures out her points and works some sort of chocolate into her points everyday. So find what you love and make it work. or they have some good alternatives. I love cup cakes so I get the 100 cal hostess cupcakes and it is enough to satisfy my cravings. GOOD LUCK!!!! PM me if you ever want to talk...

You've come to the right place! Welcome! Take the advice of all the ladies here; you can't go wrong with them behind you.

Hi Shirley, welcome! It can be done. Don't let it overwhelm you. You're in very good company here.

Shirley - welcome to 3FC! This is a great bunch of people here!

Shirley, you have found the BEST place on the internet for weight loss support!

You can definitely do this. I was at 314 when I started this journey also. I believe Art Williams said it best, "I'm not telling you it is going to be easy - I'm telling you it's going to be worth it"!

I was a bit heavier than you are when I started - it's hard, to be sure, but once you get on a roll it's easier, and kind of becomes habit! and it's addictive in a weird way, you want to see what's going to happen next or what outfit you can put on next! yay!

like someone metioned before, don't focus on 165 pounds to lose, good lord that would freak anyone out!!! Just think "i have to lose 10 times" and repeat as required LOL

good luck & thanks for joining us - we're a lot of fun!

I probably have about that to lose also. I have not focused on the big picture and just made small goals. It seems much easier to do! Check out the goals section.... some of those people have lost an amazing amount of weight!

Welcome Shirley! We're really glad you've joined us. I understand how you feel about sweets. I use fresh fruit now to tackle those cravings. It really has gotten easier over time.

Good luck!

Hi there

I have a cat Zim to go along with your Gir.

I started near where you are too so I know how daunting it can be. Welcome!

Hi and Welcome. Glad you found us!!

Welcome!! Just focus on 1 day at a time - and before you know it you'll be rockin!!