[AGirlOnAMission]

Hello fellow weight loss-ers! (Couldn't really think of a name for the rest of you guys...)
I'm an 18 year old (turning 19 in September) female and I have just completed my first year in college! You can guess what has happened since my completion of freshman year; weight gain. My weight has been my number one enemy for a long time and I've struggled to keep my weight under control since I was 15. I had always managed to keep it somewhat under control, but now without my parents there to yell at me when I grabbed that extra ice cream, I've seen myself balloon into someone I cannot even recognize. Now, at 186 pounds, I have never been more scared at the damage I have done to myself. People have given me lecture, after lecture, after lecture, and it has never registered with me. I always told myself that those people just couldn't accept me for who I was, and back then it was the truth. But now, as I look at myself in the mirror I'm disappointed in myself. So, for the first time, I approached my family and asked for help. Over the next three months I have set myself a goal to lose 30 pounds. I want to be 156 pounds before I go back to school. And while in school, I hope to lose 20 pounds over the semester and Winter Break (approximately 6 months) for a goal weight of 136 pounds. So, for 9 months, I'm gonna go hardcore and lose a total of 50 pounds. Hopefully.
I was expecting myself to be scared and frightened of the coming months, which is somewhat true, but now, all I can think about is the end and how much happier I'll be because of my hard work. I want to finally not cringe when I step out of the shower and see myself. I want to finally wear mini skirts to parties. I want to finally shop at H&M and find pants that actually fit me. I want to be healthy. I want to have energy to actually get up and do things. I know I'm going to end up depending on this forum to help me, because it's not like I haven't tried before. I have. But I always break the rules and end up binge eating on food. But I really want this to be different.
I hope this forum helps me get through this, and I hope I can help others as well

[Buffinlovin]

Welcome AGirlOnAMission =D

I was the same as you when I started...looking forward to that goal and using that as my motivation =) When I made that choice to change my lifestyle, it was almost like a weight lifting from my shoulders!

You can do this!!! The best thing I can recommend is finding a diet that works for you, and working in exercise little bits at a time =) One of the biggest mistakes is to try to do too much right away. I started by adjusting my eating habits (I chose to do weight watchers). Then I stopped drinking soda. Then I started taking my dogs for a walk. and so on. I only started the next step after I was comfortable doing the previous, so that I could adjust myself to it better.

Good luck!! I look forward to reading your progress!!

[Mozzy]

Welcome and good luck on your journey!!