Hi! I am a 30-year-old who has struggled with weight, body image, and emotional eating forever. About 5 years ago, I was introduced to exercise and, by exercising about 2 hours a day and eating better, I lost about 60 pounds. However, with life changes and stress, exercising so much was a lifestyle I could not maintain, so I started to gain it all back. A few years ago, I decided that more effort needs to go into food and portion control, so I started Weight Watchers. Typically, I start the new year by getting on track, losing maybe 20-25 pounds in 2-3 months, and then quit weight watchers and spend the rest of the year gaining it back. So now, here I am at about 220 lbs, dangerously close to my original high of 226. The yo-yoing can't be healthy for me, so I have decided that I need to lose this excess weight and keep it off. And I need to improve my relationship with food and learn to like myself more. I would love to see 135 pounds or below, but right now I am setting goals 10 pounds at a time.

So I have started the new Points Plus program - I learned all about its changes today and will be following it on my own on some Android apps. Day 1 went great! I am hoping that having all this on my phone will help me to be consistent with the plan - my phone is always with me (unlike WW paper journals and computers I have tried in the past). I am also reading "The End of Overeating: Taking Control of the Insatiable American Appetite" (David Kessler).

So I hope to find a forum on here to meet some people to exchange support with! Oh, and I am from Ohio and work in the child mental health field.

Sounds like you've planned really well and you're taking it very seriously. That's half the battle. Joining this forum will help too. We can cheer each other on and in a way it kind of makes you accountable to more than yourself. I know whenever I start a diet I'm usually gung ho too and fizzle after a few months. I joined this forum to make friends that are in the same boat as me so we can motivate each other. Hopefully if I "fall off the wagon" you guys will stop and throw me back on!lol!

Hey and welcome. I agree with littlejeans. You seem to have it mapped out which is great for beginning that healthy lifestyle. We all go through our ups and downs, but it all comes down to dedication and positiveness. You can do this (you obviously have done this before with going back and forth) except this time you won't be coming back and only going forth -- am I right?

Good luck

Hey there!

You might want to check out our Weight Watchers forum...it's a great group! The 30-somethings (for those in that age range) would be another good place to start.

Then, just jump in and get to posting. Can't wait to get to know you better!

Welcome and good luck!

Dhani