[hojogibso]

Hello all!

I'm Holly, and I never knew this place existed until a few days ago.

I'm 21, 5'11", and about 270-280 pounds, depending on the scale. I've battled with weight for a very very long time, and I am finally going to do something about it. I just struggle so much with food cravings, overeating, and finding time to exercise. I work full time and by the time I get home I'm in no shape to get up and exercise, I pretty much put on my PJ's, have dinner, and don't give myself that extra push to get up and work out. I'm sure there are others out there that struggle with that as well, I'm definitely trying to make myself do things.

What I'm really on here for is support, tips for dieting, and honestly I'm really a clean slate when it comes to the diet world, so if you've done something that really worked please let me know! I'm really needing to lose about 100 pounds to be at a healthy weight for body type.

My boyfriend has recently lost about 55 pounds by drinking Slim Fast and barely eating, which is not the healthiest way of doing things, and we all know that men can drop weight at the snap of a finger. I'm really wanting to get in shape too. My problem areas would be my arm flab, belly, and thighs. I'm too broke to join a gym, so if anyone can let me know of some good at home exercises for those areas I would be so grateful!

I look forward to making new friends and learning all kinds of things on here.

Holly

[jojoland]

Hi, Holly- welcome! I'm new here, too, and I really like it so far. There are lots of different threads for different eating plans, there are threads for different age groups, and a whole one on exercise, too- lots of info!

You are right that dropping a lot of weight quickly is not necessarily the healthiest way-- I have been focusing on losing weight slowly so that I can live with the changes in the long term. I have been tracking my food intake at choosemyplate.gov-- you can set goals and log all of your food and physical activity. There are a few other free sites like this- myfitnesspal is one that seems popular.

The exercise section of about.com has some great strength training exercises that you can do at home. Walking is also great. You want to make sure to start slow and build up slowly if you are new to exercise-- you don't want to injure yourself! The key to finding time is to make time- I have been getting up an hour early to work out-- it is hard at first, but I already feel so much better.

[cyndie]

Hi Holly!
I'm new too. Or new again.
Jojoland gave you some really good advice. I'm going to try the "getting up an hour earlier" to work out. I'm sure you will do well, this is a great place with lots of helpful people.

Good luck.

[lynzgirl]

Hi Holly!

I'm new here too... I noticed you are tall :-) the same height as me! I love to see other tall females out there.

I've struggled with weight, body image and food issues my whole life as well. I come from a very tall family, but I was still always very timid and embarrassed by my height. I felt like a giant. This made me a bit reserved in my teens and early 20s and I would tend to try to make myself not noticeable so I told myself that my weight isn't the issue, it's my height, which is something I obviously can't do anything about (I will be 30 in a couple of months, and believe me, confidence comes with age, and I love my tallness now)

What really made me put on the weight and completely changed my life and physical shape, was when I was 15 I hurt my knee playing basketball and had to have major surgery. I went from a very active person to doing pretty much nothing. So I continued to eat as if I was still an athlete and burning 4000+ calories in a day. I very quickly put on weight and was really confused. I capped out at 200 lbs about 4 years ago and never went over but I do understand the struggle with food. I LOVE food. The fattier, the better. BUT I also learned a couple of years ago that exercise and healthy, yummy food makes me feel amazing and my mood and happiness is through the roof when I'm consistent.

It's so hard to get into the habit but once you do... you will see how great it feels to get your heart rate up and how wonderful your body responds to natural, whole foods.

I admit... the last year (Sept 2011) I re-injured my knee and I stopped running and exercising. I put on 20 lbs (from 150ish back up to 170). The weight came back so fast.

It's just a constant thing that people like us have to deal with because for some reason we do not have the same relationship with food that others have. It sucks but it's reality.

I completely understand how easy it is to go home and not want to move. I usually have my work clothes half off before I even make it to my bedroom in the evening lol. and I grab the closest t-shirt I can find, which is usually my boyfriends shirts, as he is a big/very tall guy so his shirts are super comfy and swallow me so I don't feel so lazy and fat when I'm laying around.

As a way to trick myself and to make myself more motivated, I try to keep a complete walking/jogging outfit on the table by my front door. I immediately see them when I walk in the door and as long as I get those running shoes and sports bra on, I know that I will make the right decision.

Learn some tricks of your own, see what works and doesn't. It's hard. But when you succeed, even just the initial bit of weight, you will feel like you can climb the tallest mountain. Your mind becomes more clear and with exercise, usually the healthy eating comes right along.

Sorry for the long rambling! Good luck!!