[mathsoup]

Hi. I'm Caitlin. I'm not all that great at intro posts but I always seem to end up horrifically trying anyway. I guess I'll share my diet story.

I've played sports my entire life. I've never really been overweight. I was extremely active, ate at home all the time since I didn't go away to college, and ate whatever the heck I wanted. I stopped playing softball after college, ended a bad relationship that lasted over six years, and ate myself into oblivion. I went from a healthy muscular 140 pounds all the way to an unhealthy and depressed 230.

I tried so many diets, from South Beach to "The I'll Just Eat Better and I Know What I'm Doing Diet" all the way to a desperate year on Nutrisystem that got me absolutely nowhere. I'm not going to say I haven't been successful at all, but I've teetered between 205 and 230 for the past few years, and between 205 and 210 for the past 13 weeks. It's very frustrating.

There was only one other time in my life that I was heavy. I gained about 60 pounds from a medication that I needed to take. What ended up happening was I changed medications and the new medication's side effect was weight loss and loss of appetite. I never had to change anything I was doing, really. I've never dieted at all.

I finally decided I'd try to calorie count and exercise. I should be ashamed of myself for trying to take shortcuts but I guess I made the best decisions that I could at the time.

Now my wedding is this June. I hope that I will be able to lose at least 30 pounds more by then but I just find myself getting frustrated and screaming at the scale. I'm finally actually trying and doing it a healthy and good way and I'm having no luck. It's been about two weeks since I started eating healthier and I haven't seen much change at all.

It's hard to not get discouraged. How do you keep yourself to keep going when this happens to you? What are some of the things that have helped you as far as diets go? What's a big nono. I'm just looking for any sort of inspiration and a little kick in the rear to not give up.

And hello.

[leighish]

howdy stranger!

[Maddie89]

I've been there. And back there again. and again for most of my life. It seems to me that if you aren't completely succesful at losing weight the first time around then it gets harder and harder to cling on to hope. But you know that doesn't apply to everyone.
for me motivation is keep the light at the end of the tunnel in sight. When things get tough just think about say your wedding for example. How will you feel on the day if you haven't lost weight, or have even gained. vs how you would feel if you lost 30lbs. Keep your reason for wanting to lose weight in the front of your mind.
It helps to have people to talk to about it. That can really relate. Going back to the light at the end of the tunnel, it can be exhausting running through it alone but running with others can make it fun and often entertaining.
how is counting calories and exercising a short cut? if thats what you mean...

Someone on this forum said to me recently, fake it till you make it. And it's true. Keep going the motivation WILL follow. if you do it right you will lose more and more and thats all the motivation you'll need.

Good luck with it and welcome

[Loraloo]

Welcome!!

[jahjah1223]

Hello! welcome to the site

[mathsoup]

Thanks everyone!

And Maddie, I meant that the "quick fix" diets like Nutrisystem and other ones I've tried were shortcuts (for me at least, because of how I viewed them). Calorie counting is what I finally decided to do now. I personally feel it's one of the healthiest ways to lose weight. I like what you said about fake it until you make it. That might have to be my new motto. It's just so frustrating when I'm doing everything right and the scale still tells me I'm fat.

[akacutie]

Hey There Caitlain.... Welcome... You'll this place... There are so many supportive people Have fun checkin' it out.

[tandifrass]

Hi! Nice to meet you :-)

[kalikat003]

Welcome to 3fc. Make sure you check out the calorie counting website. They do a great job at giving advice (I know because I frequent that forum quite often)

Any questions, ask! Someone will be able to help you! =]

[angelinelosesweight]

I LOVE this site I've only been here a couple weeks and everyone is very helpful and really nice!!!

I think we've all got different reasons for wanting to lose weight, but the important thing is just to find what works best for you That's where you will find success!!!

[mathsoup]

Thanks for all the warm welcomes, everyone!

[Jelbb]

Hiya honey!
Welcome to 3FC!

Don't be discouraged! Don't be down-trodden! You can do this, and this is DEFINITELY the place to git'er'done!

You said you've been doing this for two weeks and haven't seen a difference... maybe we can help you see some results on that scale that'll kick-start the motivation? What kind of calorie allowance are you giving yourself? What are you eating for breakfast/lunch/dinner/snacks on a daily basis? What're you doing for exercise?

Stick around! These ladies are fantastic and motivating and inspiring!

[leighish]

Everyone, Mathsoup is extra special to me. We need to keep her motivated! I cannot be the hottest girl at her wedding!!! (alright, so I let the cat out of the bag!)

[Jelbb]

Haha, aww, yay, you're Leigh's friend! Awesomestix.