Hi!
I found this site today and after reading around a bit, I decided to join on the spot (I even signed up for a blog!) because it seems just like the place I'm looking for!
IRL my name is Paola, I'm 32 and I live in Italy - so please forgive me if sometimes my writing might be weird, it's just because English is not my first language!

I've been kind of overweight all my life, on and off trying to get on a diet seriously, but always loosing my path at some point.
I've always been the heavier of all my friends, and the last three years were not easy considering that I worked at an ice rink (administrative job) were most of my contact were serious athletes (a couple of Olympic athletes even!) so the comparison was really depressing.
I often felt so tired and heavy... I want to get fitter and healthier!
I've never been a friend of the scale, judging mainly by how my clothes felt and fitted, but I will try to get over it too, and give me some numbers to look at.
Two years ago I did manage to shed a few kilos, basically by going to the gym regularly and sticking to a diet... so I know I can do it, I just need the motivation to keep doing it!
What sabotaged me was getting stuck in a nightmare job that sucked all the energy from me - so there was a lot of missed sessions at the gym, and A LOT of comfort eating...
Two weeks ago I resigned from there (I know it is crazy to give up a job in this bad economy, but seriously it was making me sick - and I'm not talking metaphorically, my doc had just started me on anxiety medications to try to help the mental wreck that I was becoming.) and now I'm at home, planning some works (re-painting all the rooms for a start, the garden, etc) so there will be some physical activity, and I moved my subscription from the gym that I kept avoiding to another branch near here where I seriously want to go. it's nice and well organized, I went some times already and I like it!
SO... here I am... I hope that by sharing our experiences, days, struggles and successes we'll all help each other to get to our goals!

Hi and welcome!

A brand new life! More relaxed ... sounds great! Maybe you can pop in to 3FC a few times a day to remind yourself that we're here for you and are happy you are succeding.

I want you to try to find posts by Glory87. I see her as being a fine example of reasonable, healthy eating and staying slim forever. I think you'll like what she has to say.

Let us know if there is anything we can help you find.

Hi Paola, welcome! You're going to love it here, and good for you signing up for the blog! I can relate to your experience with anxiety caused by your work. I went through the same thing, and the stress certainly doesn't help with weight loss. I'm so glad to hear you are happier and healthier now! Good luck!

welcome to the forum. If you have any questions about anything feel free to ask.

Welcome to 3FC!! Surf around and settle in! We have subforums based on age, eating plan, exercise and more!

I am so impressed with your attitude! Stress is a major source of health complications as well as weight gain. Good for you for giving that bad job the boot!

You are aiming to get fit and healthy -- those are priorities that will help you achieve success. And you are clearly willing to make the changes necessary to meet those objectives (choosing more gym sessions over a stressful job)!

Welcome -- looking forward to your posts!

Hi Paola, welcome to 3FC! Please jump in anywhere you like.

Hi Paola,

your post has finally convinced me to stop lurking on this website as I have been doing for the past couple of months... and the reason is: I am Italian too!
Good luck on your weight loss journey. Like you, I have been battling with my weight for all my life and just like you, I am not fond of the scales...
This site is wonderful and a great source of motivation.
We can make it!!!

Laura

Wow Laura, it's great to hear that someone from my country is here too!
I hope to read more posts from you here!