[JuicyGinger]

Hi all!
My guy recently commented, after he bought me a mini Charleston Chew that I was munching on at the time, "SO you gained a little weight, huh?" Yea he sux and apparently doesn't know anything about women (or college where the time constraints and stress make many gain weight) but it has motivated me to get on the scale and start my food diary again.

I have been a yo-yo dieter since I was 12. I went to WW camp for 3 summers but always gained the weight back plus more. At 16, I weighed 255 and was miracolously able to get down to 175 w/i about a year. I've kept off a lot of the weight (I'm 25 now) but have gotten back up to over 210 at times. I would really like to just be "normal." Around 140 would be nice (about 65 pounds shy right now) so I can buy cute clothes (I went to fashion school, which did wonders for my self-esteem) and finally feel confident in my own skin. But I feel very discouraged b/c I know the problem will never be gone, I will always struggle with my weight. It just feels so unfair and like such a burden.

Lately I've been resentful over the feeling that I've never had the experience of having a so called youthful body. I bought the recent Vogue and I began very depressed when I related more to pics in the "epic proportions" article than any others. I feel like time is ticking, my metabolism is slowing down and I will never have the opportunity to have that body. Also, the weight loss has left with some loose skin and this defeats me even further - like a constant reminder that I will never the perfect body and serves as a reminder of what I have done to myself.

I know the ins and outs of dieting but I just need a good kick in the ***. I'm counting calories and keeping a food diary, on my own and I would just like some encouragement and support.
Thanks!

[shannon35]

I just wanted to say hi. And although I don't think you need a very big kick in the *** since you already seem motivated (you came here didn't you?!) I thought I'd give you one of those as well! I know what you mean though...I have been lacking in the motivation department lately and I am starting to get really frustrated with myself.

College can be a killer if you let it! I gained probably about 40+ pounds in college and have been done for about a year now. I am almost 24, and I am glad that I am taking charge of my weight now rather than later. You're only 25 so don't say that you won't have the so-called "youthful body". You're still YOUNG!

Feel free to PM me if you want, I am always available to chat. Sometimes it helps to have someone you can vent to! And maybe I will just have to "borrow" a little motivation from you.

Take care and keep a positive attitude!

p.s. Fashion school sounds very interesting...I am jealous of you!

[pippie]

Hi, i just wanted to tell you i know exactly how you feel, i was doing well at ww then since christmas have gained back a stone which i can't get off again. I know everything i should be doing, just don't seem to be able to do it. I think we've both made a great start by coming here i feel better already talking to people. I have never had a perfect body either i was always a chubby child, teenager then i got married and had five kids in a short time so my body never recovered and now i get so depressed looking at all the thin people around me, my friends are nearly all thin.
But not anymore today is a whole new day and together we can get motivated and start losing,
Pippie

[mistiel]

Hi!!!!

I think that it is wonderful that you have come here. I think that's the first step. I am one year older than you and have struggled with my weight. When I was 18 I was 360 pounds, size 32 and decided to lose weight. I got down to 219 lbs. and was the happiest I had ever been in my life. Since then, I fell in love and am in the same boat I was 8 years ago. 300+ pounds.

Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired? Me too! I am joining WW tomorrow and this will be my final attempt to lose weight and I know I am going to do this - this time and there is no turning back. We have to want this so much that no matter what it takes, we will do it. We have to either want it or not. We have to have discipline and never quit once we get started and isn't that the hardest part? Starting? Once you have started, and your doing well... you start to see results and thats what will keep you going.

Don't think of it as I will never have my youthful body back - you will and you can do this. Remember that. You are your own worst critic. If you don't believe you, no one else will either. Loose skin? Lose the weight you desire and sign up for extreme makeoever, write oprah, save the money. There are always options out there, don't limit yourself and talk yourself out of doing something because you can.

So, here we go girlfriend, are ya with me? Are we going to be knock outs in the sun?
Don't let your hubby bother you, I too am married, the men in our lives know that we are happier when we are healthier. They can see that and just want whats best for us. When we are happy, we make the people in our lives happy.

So lets all get happy! We can do this! No more victoms! Okay?

Email me anytime, I am in need of a good email buddy....



Cheers to ya sweety!

Mistie

[JuicyGinger]

Hey Shannon, Pippie, Mistiel...
Thanks so much for reading my post and replying, I was all smiles this morning when I read them. Oh btw Mistiel, I'm not married, my eyes just 'bout popped out of my head when I read that, but I could see how you would think that. He's actually more of an ex-boyfriend that I still keep in contact with and umm..look to for support (3fatchicks is the wiser choice wouldn't you say?!)

So yesterday was just ok. I was doing great till I ate over a cup of yellow rice w/o first looking at the label (perhaps I didn't WANT to look at the label, Goya products have a powerful hold on me.) 140 cal a 1/4 c.?! That's half the normal svg. size and everyone knows most people are used to more than 1/2 c. on their plates anyway. All in all, I put my intake btwn 1900 - 2000 which means I didn't gain anything and am probably eating less than normal (I figure I'm eating at least 2200 to maintain my weight and more lately since I've been gaining.) But today I'm right under 1500 which is great...if I can turn 2 days into a week, I will be MUCH more motivated.

Just something I wanted to share...m'friend made a bunch of chocolate chip cookies today for the women in the dorm I live in with a sign that said "help yourself." Initially, I'm thinking "oh great" and then "one can't hurt much" but I know that I can't eat just one, better not to start. I'm what they call an emotional eater. I figure I've eaten enough cookies to last me the rest of the yr so I didn't eat any! My psych class had a whole lecture on willpower and found the best thing to do is get out of the situation that is tempting you so I grabbed some baby carrots, raisins and lite italian dressing and sat in the living room. I had to cook dinner next to them but surprisingly they weren't calling out to me "Eeeat meee"....so basically when something is in your face and not on your diet, get away from it asap.

Oh and pippie, how much is a stone relative to a pound? I've always wondered.
And how about you all? Lemino how you're doing with your diet.
Have a great day!