Hi all of you. my name is Sherri and about 2 weeks ago, i had made a decision to stop all of my bad eating behavior. i've read everything,gone to counseling, joined gyms, countless attempts at weight watchers, prayed, beat myself up and then did it all again...for the last 10 years! i thought this last "epiphany" had finally worked, but it didn't. i did however come across this site and i had a good feeling about it.

my hope is that i will find the support, encouragement and motivation that i haven't been able to find anywhere else. i'm so tired of being fat, but i have been told i'm a "food addict". i've also been encouraged to go to O.A., but along with everything else, it didn't work for me. i've always considered myself an intelligent woman, but you'd never know it by my out of control eating. i recently completed 6months of chemo for colon cancer. i had the most amazing surgeon and was able to come out of this thing pretty well. but i am gaining weight that i can't afford to gain. i'm scared and i need help. does anyone have any suggestions? thank you for all of your help.Sherri

Also, i definitely need help in setting myself up on this site. i would like to do a tracker and a blog, etc but find it very confusing, help?? if you could get back to me soon so i can begin to be a part of the community i'd so appreciate it.

You will find support and encouragement here but you will have to do the hard work yourself.
I see you have been in treatment for colon cancer and have gone through chemo. If you can do that you certainly can do a weight loss program. Cancer is no disease for sissies, I speak from personal experience.
Find a diet and exercise program that you WILL follow and get started. Good luck.

hi, thank you so much for responding. i see you are a senior member here. that's encouraging. apparently it's working for you. the hard work you mention seems to be overwhelming, but i'm not out of the game yet . also i am having a pretty hard time setting myself up, blogs, trackers, etc. it is extremely confusing for me to navigate around this thing, did you find that as well? thanks for your response again, i appreciated it. wow, california! very cool. i think i'm gonna like it here

Welcome to the forum! You will find a ton of support and information on this site.
Start by writing down everything you eat for one week. This will help you get an idea of how many calories you are consuming. This is good information to start with. Are you still undergoing treatment? Because of your recent cancer battle, I would contact your doctor (even if you just talk to his nurse) and ask them how many calories they recommend you consume a day to lose weight safely. Your body may have special needs since you have only been out of chemo for 6 months.
Start slowly, adding in more water, less pop and sugary drinks. Track what you eat, include more fruits and veggies in your diet. Try to move more. Do you have to exercise everyday for an hour, no, just try taking short works and build from there.
Most important is to NOT give up. If you fall off the wagon, get back on, do not let one bad meal or bad day give you a reason to give up.
Trust me, if I can lose weight, you can do it. I believe in you!!!

Hi Sherri-

Welcome again! I see you already found your way around while I was out This is a great place. I hope you find what you are looking for to support you on your journey to better health. I know I couldn't have done it without this place

I browsed on this site for months before I joined. Good luck you can do it.

You won't get a tracker until you are a member for 20 days and have posted 20 post. This is a great site for support and the above posters are correct YOU will have to do all the hard work yourself. You have to make the decision to do this for YOU and no one else. If you don't have the right mind set it will not work as well as it should. It took me 20+ years to realize that and once I did, I am on a roll with no stopping that is for sure. Find something you can work with and go for it. You will have obstacles as we all do but you can work through them just believe in yourself. Good luck to you

Sherri--
So happy to hear that you made it through such a trying experience....that alone shows your strength. I think the biggest thing is gaining will power. I have found that my will power strengthened with each pound I lost. Success on the scale and gaining in physical activity really was a positive reinforcement. I for years had no will power--always wishing to get thin again. I developed asthma and that started my loss--in part from the strain on my body and depression. I attempted to use that as an actual advantage and change my lifestyle. I chose to eat better and get activity. Once I began eating serving sizing that are appropriate and food that is healthy--I began to acquire a taste for the healthy food. Today, I no longer crave unhealthy or fast foods and I enjoy walking, short jogs, and slow spins on the elliptical...with the exception of bad asthma days. Maybe once you get into a groove, things will come easier. The getting groove on is the most difficult. I wish you the best. It can be done --I lost over 70 pounds without pills, a formal diet, or any surgeries.

Welcome, I have recently joined too and I have already found that this website a great help.Everyone is really nice and keen to give you advice if you would like a diet buddy I am more than willing to be yours

What kind of diet are you on?

Rach.xx

Welcome from another newbie, this site seems like its going to a great support on this journey. We can do this!!