[sucha d0ll]

Hey all ;D

I thought I'd intro myself. I've done like 3 dif bios in the support forums... but why not make it known here also?

My name is amber alicia. I live in CA, in the east bay area (about 30min west of SF). I have 2 kids and a lovely BF. I've been a chunky girl my entire life.. so I have no idea what it's like to be skinny. I do know that it sucks to be fat though.. so I'm ready now to finally handle it.

I am 28 years old. I listen to all sorts of music from hip hop to reggae, to punk rock, alternative, etc. I do makeup and hair - but not for a living. I love to go shopping, and clubbing on the weekends.

One of the hardest things for me is getting thin. The community I live in is so diverse, the last thing anyone cares about is weight. So that being said - I've been pretty comfortable here. I've managed to surround myself with either other fat people, or the "fat accepting" lol. But that doesn't take away the fact that it's unhealthy. So for the last time - I am spending this year as a fat person. Hopefully the fat girl inside won't resent me for leaving her when I am hot and skinny next year. haha who knows? we'll see!

[leeway]

Hi Amber Alicia!
Sounds like you have a lovely family and enjoy life - how smart to focus on health and not just a diet - the support you need is here to make the fat girl jealous - 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 and inspired. Try the 20 somethings and the weight loss support forums, they're active and very helpful - also the Success stories are a definite must for motivation.

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 since last fall, 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 going off track or giving up. It has made all the difference in my success so far.

So welcome - you've found the right place - join in by inspiring us and being inspired!

All the best - good luck with your goals - here's to an even more fabulous you,
Lee

[Justwant2Bhealthy]

to 3fc's ... this is a very supportive place as you probably have already noticed; and there are lots of great people here too. We have age and weight forums, food plan forums, and exercise threads, and so many others. Look around, read lots, then just jump right in wherever you feel comfortable ...

[bargoo]

Welcome and good luck East Bay I am in South Bay. Not far from you.

[Deena52]

Hi Amber Alicia and welcome.

"Hopefully the fat girl inside won't resent me for leaving her when I am hot and skinny next year."

Actually, a bigger problem might turn out to be that your fat-accepting friends may begin to resent you when you begin to get thinner than them. And this, in turn, usually leads to attempts to sabotage you. So....you are going to have to stay very strong and stick to your guns, despite this.

I think Leeway's recommendation is a good one.....taking the approach of improving your health (rather than making it all about looks). I think that would make your friends not only more accepting....but even interested in joining you for their own health....not to mention learning healthier ways of eating that their children can then benefit from.

deena