[jeanessa]

I am 26 years old, happily married for the last six years and around 140 pounds overweight! I know exactly how it happened, too much food. I LOVE food, I eat all the time and I rarely get up and move around. It's enormously ridiculous. I stepped on the scale last month and it read 265 (I am 5'6"), I could not believe it!

I have gone from the emotions of being in tears to being determined to do something about it. I am very aware that ultimately losing weight and being more comfortable in my own skin will take time, effort and determination, I just can't seem to START! How do you start? How did you guys start? I'm a planner, I plan to death and I just can't wrap my mind around planning weight loss!

Prior to this weight gain, I was never overweight. I mean, I weighed around 140 in high school and my early college years, I always wore a size 7/8. Weight never mattered to me. I don't even know how to mentally prepare to lose weight. I know all of the facts, what I should, eat/the diets and exercise, but I am intimidated by all of this.

I need help!!! I also need someone who might be looking for a buddy, to share personal struggles with on a daily basis. I need, I need, I need...

I'm a spoilt brat, by the way.....truly, I am a sensitive, consistent person who is an excellent communicator if anyone is interesting in reciprocal encouragement!

[Ruthxxx]

"reciprocal encouragement"! You are a good communicator! Welcome to the site. That's what we are supposed to be all about.

How about checking out different weightloss plans here on the board and finding one that you think will suit you. Just pop in and ask questions and join the many discussions.

[jeanessa]

Ruth,

Thanks for the encouragement!!! Yep, I am surfing around the site now, piecing together info on different plans and comparing them to my inner will power. I did the treadmill today for 10 minutes so I'm officially on my way!

[jordyn1968]

Hi there,

I read your post and thought I'd respond. I also have the same feelings as you. I have about 75-100 lbs. to lose and it seems so overwhelming, esp. if you look at the big picture instead of taking it lb. by lb. I also HATE to exercise, I enjoy walking but can't seem to make myself get out and do it, I don't have a tredmill so I can't walk at home.

I am determined to get this weight off though. I am also experimenting/looking into different programs. I am siding toward modified low carb (50-100 grams of carbs per day). That seems more livable to me than Atkins which is 20 grams to start. I don't want to feel DEPRIVED, cause when I do thats when I blow it.

I'd love to correspond with you more if you'd like. A little more about me I'm married to Gary have three children (ages 11, 9 and 7) work part time as a data entry operator, attend a non-denomanational church, enjoy spending time with my family and selling/buying on ebay.

If you'd like to write to me please do so I know we aren't supposed to put our email addresses in our post so I'll just list it like this my user name is jordyn1968 and my email is hotmail. So if you want to write me please send my emails to that. Look forward to hearing from you soon.

Anna in Ohio

[Universityprincess]

Hey Jenessa,
I finally decided to put an end to being overweight when I realized I could no longer get into my prom dress. That was a SHOCK! I set mini goals to help myself along and feel good about whatever weight I lose. A super mini goal of mine is to get into my non-stretch jeans comfortably. Another is to get back into the prom dress and a longer range goal is weigh 219 by the time I graduate in May.
I fully understand your love of food because that is what caused my problem. However, I do love to exercise. My suggestion is to find an exercise that you really enjoy. The more you like it, the more likely you will stick to it. I really enjoy the Walk Away the Pound series from Leslie Sansone, pilates, dancing, weight lifting and just your normal everyday walking. It takes awhile to try to get everything incorporated but you feel so good when you know that you are working out and doing better for yourself. Seeing progress is so much fun even when it has nothing to do with the scale. For instance, I've become so much stronger since I've started pilates and I can hold positions I never thought I would be able to (not all of them, OMgoodness I dont know how they do some of those things) Good luck to you! You can do it! If you need another buddy, I'm here

[judydc]

Hi, Jeanessa--

I'm looking for a buddy, too. Although I'm about 20 years older than you, we're not that far apart in weight--I weighed in at 248.5 this morning. My highest weight, six or seven years back, was about 270, and I got as low as 200 lbs. in 2000 or so, for one brief shining moment....

My long-range goal is to go Beijing for the Olympics in 2008 at a more healthy weight of 150-160. That gives me three years to knock off some 100 pounds, and practice keeping it off. I've spent a lot of time last year remembering what's worked for me in the past (several small meals a day, keeping a food log, sweatin' and obsessin'). I've also invested in learing a little about meditation and self-hypnosis, to help with the stress and the sabotage.

I'd love to find a buddy to hit me on my Blackberry everyday, and to encourage me to find support from forums like this one. I'll have to spend a little time fixing up my profile and spiffing up my posts! I'm a big sister (in more ways than one) so I can deal with spoiled brats.

Judy