[stylistnat]

Hello everyone! I'm Natalie, and I've lurked around here for a while...I've been trying to live healthier for about 7 months now, and have had quite a bit of success. I joined because this community seems so supportive and helpful...and sometimes you need that extra boost.

A few quick little things:

I'm 25 years old, and I'm a hair stylist. I really started this in mid-February.

Starting weight as of 2/19: 217 lbs
Current weight as of 7/17: 191 lbs

I've hit as low as 190, but after a recent birthday and slacking off, I put a pound back on.

My mini-goal right now is for 185 by 10/23--I started this journey the day after coming home from vacation in Raleigh, NC, visiting my cousin. On 10/24 I am heading back to Raleigh to see her again, 8 months later, and if I manage to get to 185, I'll be 32 pounds smaller.

My short term goal is 172 by 1/1/09, and my long term goal is 140 by 8/7/09...a month before my 26th birthday.

So...so far, so good. Just another 51 pounds to go. 1/3rd of the way!

I'm hoping to get to know some of you, so we can all help each other


-Nat

[Cardfan1]

Nat! Congrats on your success so far! That's great.

[raw23]

Awesome job on your loss so far!!!

[Lovely]

Hi Nat

Congratulations on the weight you've taken off! That's amazing I bet you must feel incredible about it. And proud! (And you should!)

You may want to check out the 20-somethings to chat with those of us around your age. But, post wherever you're comfortable.

What sort of food & exercise program are you following?

Best of success!

[stylistnat]

I DO feel incredible--and I feel so much better, I catch a glance of myself in the mirror now and realize just how much I've lost, how much smaller I look--and it feels so good.

I'll have to come visit the 20-somethings board

As far as diet/exercise:

With my diet, it's very much about portion control, avoiding high-fat foods...but I'm not really depriving myself. I'm not going crazy and eating wings and heavy italian food on a regular basis--but if I get a craving once every few weeks, I'll satisfy it. I'm just trying to keep it as an overall eating healthy kind of thing. Every so often I'll eat more calories than I really aim for (1300-1600).

It's very much about being more controlled about what I eat--if I want something sweet, I'll have ONE cookie, not half the bag. If I want to go get some pasta--I'll go have it, but I'll go with someone else and split one entree, and I don't gnaw on 3 pieces of bread while I wait for the food to get there. I'm just allowing myself little treats, so that I don't feel deprived, and so far it's worked wonderfully.


As far as exercise: I just mix it up. Sometimes I'll walk/jog, other days I'll ride my stationary bike, sometimes I'll use the onDemand workouts that Comcast has available, sometimes I'll just do some weight training types of exercises. If I'm really not feeling like 'working out' on a given day--I'll just put on some music and boogie.

I've been at it for 7 months now, and I haven't slipped up TOO bad, so it seems to be working!

I can't wait to see the scale dip under 190.

Originally Posted by Faerie

Hi Nat

Congratulations on the weight you've taken off! That's amazing I bet you must feel incredible about it. And proud! (And you should!)

You may want to check out the 20-somethings to chat with those of us around your age. But, post wherever you're comfortable.

What sort of food & exercise program are you following?

Best of success!