[HannahBoo23]

Hey, my name is Hannah I'm 16 and I'm 188 lbs. Weight loss is such a BIG issue for me... I've been trying for years to lose weight and I've never accomplished my goals yet... My problems are that I have a hard time transgressing to eating healthier and working out enough. I WANT to eat healthier and work out more but its very difficult when you don't have the right tools to do so. I have my whole family to think about and what they want to eat or do... I don't have the money or car to travel 3-4 days of the week to the gym... or to the store to get my own "health" food. I don't have a gym nearby b/c i live in a Podunk town in the middle of ****ing corn fields. I don't have any motivation out here.. no atmosphere... no aura.. Its hard for me.. Well, I'm gonna finish my ranting now...lol..

[AR4life]

Hi Hannah, welcome to 3FC.
You'll find lots of support on here, best wishes for a healthier you

[leeway]

Hi Hannah!
It is hard but how smart and brave of you to take the first steps to making a change - take it one thing at a time, maybe adjusting what you eat in a manageable way, going for a walk or dancing to a great song - do what seems attainable for you - don't set yourself up to fail by tackling it all at once and getting overwhelmed and discouraged. Small changes will add up to results - read some of the success stories here - they have done it and so can you - we'll all be here to cheer you on!

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! You'll also find info and first hand advice on different plans to help choose the one that's right for you.

There are bunches of people here with more to lose and some 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 - you've found the right place - join in by inspiring us and being inspired!

[Onederchic]

Welcome to 3FC and good luck with your goals.

Hugs
Michelle

[initfor]

Hey Hannah- I'm glad to see that you're willing to make a change in your life! Getting started is probably the hardest part... once you start seeing/feeling results you'll totally feel better. How's your home situation? Is your family supportive of your desire to be healthier?

Living at home can present some interesting challenges for menu planning, but you'd be surprised what you can come up with from what's just in your cupboards or by modifying family dinners.

As far as working out, you can always do it the old fashioned way... pushups, squats, jumping jacks, walking/running- you can even create makeshift weights using cans (canned goods). The point is to just get moving more than you are now... little changes add up. One good program to look at would be Couch to 5k (C25K)- all you need is your legs! I'm not sure about your school (I'm assuming based on your age) but my high school had a weight room that had free workout time after school got out.

Welcome and good luck on your journey!

[Lincolns Sparrow]

Welcome to the group, Hannah!

Here's a thought for you - you have a long life ahead to be healthier, feel better, and be on better terms with yourself. I, on the other hand, didn't finally accomplish my goal of taking off weight and keeping it off until my senior citizen days.

Still, it's never too soon or too late.

[Lincolns Sparrow]

Oops. I had one piece of advice I forgot to post.

Drop the word "exercise" from your vocabulary and find ways to move around more that you enjoy. If you don't like it - if it is a chore - there are a million excuses to avoid it.

[HannahBoo23]

Thanks everybody for your advice! I absolutely love this forum!

leeway- Thank you for the support!I am very glad to join all of you! That's what i love most about this forum is that i can become motivated and i can relize that i'm NOT the only one with struggles and goals. I do have to take it one step at a time..Although, i tend to get ahead of myself and want some instant gratification with the results i must admit! I just get frustrated with myself and i think, "Am i not doing something right?" But,like Lincolns Sparrow said.. i have my WHOLE life ahead of me to correct my mistakes and get it right!

Onderchic-Thanks for the welcome, i hope to befriend all of you and have a chat!

Initfor-Well, most of my family is supportive. My mom does her best to cook healthier and buy organic ingredients..she really does. My dad holds the money to the family and he HATES our "diet food" so he calls it.

It's quite hard to get whole grains, veggies, and fruits when your dad is a junkfood freak..he's getting better tho b/c i keep explaining to him WHY it's so important and why i need too. He's trying..I'm at the point where i don't need to remind him to get whole grains insted of white or fruits instead of snack cakes..lol! I don't worry about my lil sister tho. She's a twig and she at least has to be eating around 3000-4000 calories aday! She must have one FAST metabolism!

She can eat what she wants..but i worry b/c are metabolisms slow down with time & when we get older. I'm afraid she'll become overweight and she'll regret eating the way she did. So, better to start her now on a healthier lifestyle so she can avoid that!

Lincolns Sparrow-You're right..thanks! It's never too late! I'm going to try and change my mindset about the word "exercise". Trust me, b/c i do find excuses to not work out.. *guilt*


THANK YOU all for being supportive! <3