Hi there. So I need to drop about 25 pounds. Maybe 35 would be better. It's crept up over the last ten years or so, and my husband isn't terribly pleased about it . I'm pretty sure my sole reason for trying to lose weight shouldn't be because my hubby doesn't like the extra poundage, but here I am anyway. And I'm going to give it my best shot. I suspect I should be a bit more upbeat about all of this, but the truth is that I like chocolate and carbs a lot!

I am going to commit myself to visiting this site and forum on a regular basis for encouragement, tips and information, and I am also planning to become a member at the gym down the street from me. Right now, the weather here is still good, and I do love walking outdoors, so for the time being, I am committing myself to walking two to three miles each day, and learning how to eat so I can lose some of this weight.

Welcome "queen", I am leaving the cellulite off on purpose

It is possible to lose weight and have chocolate and carbs. You have to do what is best for you...... but with a statement like that, I suggest you count calories or something like that.

I have chocolate oatmeal every AM (just like Mississippi mud cookies) and it is around 250 calories..... I just have to account for it going in my mouth.

You made the first important step...... recognizing what you like and what you don't want to live without out..... and of course, coming to 3fc!

Best of luck!

Welcome to 3FC and good luck with your goals.

Hugs
Michelle

welcome to 3fc

I agree - calorie counting is in many ways the most flexible way to do it. Check out thedailyplate.com or fitday.com or some others for tools to help.

And I do my chocolate at night as a reward if I stay on plan (I budget the calories for it) - Breyers FF French Chocolate with 1 Tbsp of Chocolate syrup, and a cup of raspberries. No more calories than a candy bar, and so good!

Try to come up with reasons you would like to lose the weight and focus on those. I'm sure you can find them - more energy, increased fitness, the fun of having him find you more attractive, feeling more attractive, basic health. You can do it easily if you decide you want to.

Good luck!

Hi you guys. Thanks for the encouragement and ideas. I just returned from a two mile walk, so I've made a start!

Welcome and good job!

Walking and calorie counter are a great combination. That's how I lost my weight.

I agree that you should think about your own reasons for losing weight. BTW, if you start walking regularly, you might find yourself very pleased with the sculpted look of your legs.

Also, you might need a backup exercise plan for wet or cold days. You might want to find some workout videos or get some sort of machine if you think you won't be happy walking during the winter.

Once again, welcome and good luck with your goals!

You can do it. Losing weight is very empowering.

I calorie count. It works for me, you will find what works for you.

Oh... and I don't really exercise much because I am lazy. hahaha

Queen, Welcome aboard!

I agree with the others. It seems like a daunting task at first, but sticking with it is the most important thing. It's not going to be an overnight miracle, it takes time and dedication.

You have already taken 2 major steps - coming to the realization that you want to do something about it, and motivating yourself to exercise! Those are great!

And I think one very important part of this weight loss journey and lifestyle change (yes it is a permanent change) is moderation! You can have some chocolate, but not 3 candy bars in one sitting. Calorie counting has worked very well for me. Poke around here and see what diet change seems to work best with your lifestyle.

Good luck and WELCOME!!!!

^^ This. Moderation is really difficult; it's like it's not a part of our culture, we don't know how to do it.

One thing you can try is to allow yourself a little non-food reward each time you make a good food choice. For me, I love music, so I let myself download a song when I've made good food choices all day. That way I know that I *can* give in to the temptation to eat the donut at the meeting at work (or whatever), but I have to pay for it by not downloading a song that day.

To have long-term success, though, you will need to find the motivation within yourself. Wanting to please your husband may be a good motivator - but *you* have to want to, it's not enough that he wants you to.

I don't know what that trigger will be that will motivate you - it's so individual and personal, you'll have to find it within yourself. I'll tell you this, though - you will do yourself a huge favor by developing good habits now, when you only have 25 or 35 pounds to lose. Many of us here have 100 pounds or more to lose, and have already done irreversible damage to our joints and hearts by the time we get this under control. You are ahead of the game. Don't wait until things are much, much worse.

Hi Queen (you have many subjects here!)
Glad to have you join us! There are lots & lots of different groups and forums - I'm sure you'll find some that will keep you motivated, inspired and entertained!

It sounds like you have a good plan and are well on your way to making those 25 pounds history - the posts here have already given you some great advise, too - you can do it - for yourself - your husband's approval is just gravy!

There are lots of people here with more to lose and lots with less - the bottom line is that we all have to do it a day at a time. The good thing is that we'll have lots of company along the way.

I've only been here a short time myself, having NEVER been part of an online forum. What has been so eye-opening is how much it has helped me. Whenever I feel overwhelmed or defeated, I just log on and read some of the success stories, complete with their before & after photos - or read about others still dealing day to day with their challenges - and before I know it, the time has flown by and so have all the thoughts of cheating or giving up.


So welcome aboard - join in by inspiring us and being inspired!

You've chosen an excellent place to find support. Personally, I've found that jumping into a challenge is a great way to hold myself accountable. That, and every day, sometimes multiple times a day, I confess in the Daily Food and Exercise Confessions thread. Another great resource is the success stories and before/after pictures. They're so inspiring.

Way to go on the exercise. I actually love exercise. It's weird, I know. ^^ Just make sure that you get into strength training to go along with that cardio. It'll tone you up and help slim you down.

And whoever keeps spreading rumors about not being able to eat things like chocolate and lose weight is misinformed. I lost three pounds last week. I also had chocolate pudding twice. Granted, it was sugar free. But as long as you have the calories available and you're eating a healthy diet, it's okay to indulge once and a while. Everything in moderation.

Welcome and we're glad to have you!

Hi again, I must say that I feel really good and encouraged now, just by what you all have shared with me! I am going out to buy a scale today. Don't have one here at home - so I'll get one. I know that I should not weigh myself every day, or I'll drive myself crazy.
Anyway, thanks a lot already for all your help!

Hi there! I'm new here too and and was already finding support in all the people here before I even started posting. Lots of tips and advice here too!

And nobody says you can't still enjoy a bit of chocolate! I have a bowl of those little individually wrapped Hershey chocolates sitting in my room (with a motivational quote taped to the wall above the bowl that reminds me not to have more than 1!), but those are only about 40 calories per bar... certainly doable, and it takes away the sweets craving at the end of the day.

PS! I also live in Michigan. Great state! Are you in the UP or LP? I'm originally from the LP, but have been up in the UP for about 5 years now and love it!

Welcome to 3FC!! I've only joined 3fc a couple of weeks ago, but I found its a great motivational tool! I know that, at the beginning, losing a lot of weight can feel like an unsurmountable goal, but you just have to take it one week at a time.

Whenever I am tempted not to exercise or not to log in my calories (i use fitday.com), I log into 3FC and read stories of people who have reached their goal, especially one who lost as much as I'm looking to lose and are the same height as me. When you see their pictures, you can imagine yourself in the same place and it motivates you!

I have this little motivating thing I do that helps me. I love to wear cute PJ's to bed. I always have since i was little. I'm single and have no one to impress...i just like going to bed with something cute on. Anyway, if I have a "good" day - exercise, log my food and stay within my calorie range - I let myself wear a cute PJ. If I don't, its an old t-shirt and ratty shorts. It's kind of silly, but its a little reward mechanism I use. Maybe you can find something similar !! If you need a buddy, let me know..I am looking to lose around the 30-40 pd range..

GOOD LUCK!!!