hey yall!
I've read though most of the posts and I feel l ike I know you guys already. So, let me introduce myself. I'm a newbie to the forum. I'm 27, 5'10, and 198 lbs. During college I was 145, which to me is my perfect weight! I was so happy and comfortable with my body and in my skin during that time.


Since then I've gained about 50 lbs. I'm not sure HOW it happened! 4 years ago I weighed 145 lbs, had the same eating habits, drank about 15 beers a week(i was a party girl), and never exercised. Fast forward to the past few years, I still ate terribly, still didn't exercise, but was more active, and drank maybe a beer a month, and I have gained weight! I don't get it! Maybe it's age and metabolism, I dunno...but I DO know that it has got to go!

In January, I decided I wanted to be happy and feel like ME again. I want to feel comfortable in my clothes, I want to be comfortable taking a full length picture, I want to wear a two piece on the beach again, and most importantly, I want to be healthy. My family has a history of diabetes and high blood pressure, I'm trying to avoid that route.

I've lost 8 lbs since January just walking my dog a little longer and giving up sodas (coke is my weakness!). I JUST (literally 4 days ago) started counting calories using the LoseIt app for my iphone and I am going to work out at least 3 times every week.

I'm excited about having yall as cyber friends to keep me accountable and help me on my journey, and I hope I can help you too!

Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeey Chocolate Chicks!

Hey ya'll I had a great time in ATL and NC. There was one issue where I ended up leaving the house of the first girl I was staying with, but other than that it was great. Ya'll sometimes you don't know how crazy somebody is until you stay with them. One night I wanted to stay and hang out with some friends and told her I would catch a ride back to the house since she was driving. Why this chick flip out on me when I got back about choosing them over her and how I left her to come back alone. It was so crazy! She seemed really needy and psycho. She was seriously sitting there talking to me like we were in a relationship... I see why she doesn't have a man . I left her house and stayed with another friend for the last night. I had a fantastic time in NC. I really needed the break. I did meet up with my trainer in ATL, and she gave me a free workout that had me on fire the next day. And she said she could really see the weight loss.

I bought a few new clothes. White Polo Jeans- SIZE 14!!! Shorts from Gap- SIZE 14!!! and Shirtdress from Gap- LARGE (no X's! Ha!) It feels so good to try that stuff on.

Brit- I totally understand how you feel. Even though I can get 14 bottoms, ain't no was I could get a 14 top. Let's just keep at it, and our bodies will get to our happy weights.

Cake: I know what you mean about sizes. I've actually been toying with the idea now thinking "hmmm... I think I CAN be smaller than a 12." My initial goal was 10/12. I couldn't see myself smaller than that. Now I'm thinking maybe 8/10? I think it just seemed so inconceivable when I was a size 22. But we are actually doing this!!!

So now I'm back and getting back on the weight loss grind, because of course your girl was slacking. I went out for a jog yesterday and I thought I was gonna die! It's amazing how fast your body loses it. I think the cold was an issue too.

PrettyPearls: I hadn't started the Shred again, but I need to!!! I need some for real results. Summer is about to be here!!!

jigglefree: girl, please don't let your temper get the best of you in the workplace. people see who she is, and it's gest if you don't go there with her. Don't risk losing your job or missing out on a promotion just for getting into it with her. Taking that walk was a really good idea.

darling320 We're so glad to have you!!! You're already doing great! All those little changes will add up to a really big weight loss. You can get a lot of great tips poking around in the threads here. Best of luck on your weight loss journey!!!

Anywho... my plan is to eat right an exercise today. I have to meet some friends at Caribou Coffee later, but my plan is to just get hot tea with Splenda. Plus I'm doing some spring cleaning. YAY! Have a good one ladies!

Oh, and I have an idea for a new topic of conversation. I want ya'll to watch Erykah Badu's new Window Seat video. Just google it!!! I don't wanna give anything away about it, but please watch!!! I think it could start spark some good convo about the way people think, and body issues.

I watched it and I love it! The video is awesome and Ms. Erykah should change her name to erykah badunk! lol. She has a rocking body.


if anyone wants a link to the album for download. let me know and I'll PM you. it's goooood!


oh and by the way, I lost 2 lbs this week! Woot woot! Yay for actually caring about what I put in my mouth!

Congrats on losing the 2 pounds! I LOVE the video too! She is fantastically fearless. I think the idea of how people are so quick to shoot down someone who goes against the grain was a great theme. Plus, yes.... her body is BAD! I was like dang Eyrkah got some junk! She really does have a beautiful body though, and I love that even though it's not the typical hollywood frame, she wasn't scared to put herself out there. Even though the nudity was NOT the main focus of the video, that took some balls!!! I follow her on twitter, and she didn't plan it. It's for real on the street and she was trying to hurry up and do it before she got arrested!!!

She did that!!! I was watching it with my toddler and was not expecting her to get naked. But you are right it was FIERCE and FEARLESS!! My thought was she is stripping in the broad daylight with all those people. But the lyrics were what I was trying to focus on. Sounds like she was talking about getting someone's attention...that will do it!! But it was cool.

just watched the video and omg her body is hot! i've always known she had a nice body when i seen her perform live but geesh!

oh yea guys i also started insanity! its VERY hardcore and so not for beginners... today made day 3..and geesh my legs are sore but i love it!

also happy to say that i have worked out everyday of this week..gotta push since summer is around the corner!

Darling!! You're going to love it here. I wish I had known about this site sooner but I'm thankful that I found it. Just like Bea says, you will get so many helpful hints poking around in here. I do get a lot of good hints from my sisters in here, but this is also the thread that I like to be a part of just because I can.
Good luck on your weight loss journey and congrats on the 2 pound weight loss!!!

Insanity???? Tell me more Brit!!!

Bea, I'm getting ready to start the 30 day Shred on April 5th I've heard so much about it and with me going on a cruise in May, I'm really trying to have a summer body (not like the ones on TV but a healthy looking body anyway). It's wonderful that you were able to get into those 14's. That's such a MAJOR accomplishment girl...From where you have come up until now, I'm going to have to give you a
Everyone in here is doing so well, you girls are really an inspiration to me!!

I'm fitting in size 11-12 these days, which is an improvement from the 16-18's
I was wearing. It's kinda strange, I get several complements on my weight loss but I don't feel it or really see it yet. When I look in the mirror, I still see the person I was 3 months ago. I'm not sure if that is because originally I did not view myself as large until I allowed someone to take pictures of me and now all I see is that big girl looking back at me?? At 180 pounds I know that I'm still large, but I'm ready to see a smaller me.

Cake, I hope you enjoyed your race. Can't wait to hear details.
The Crescent City Classic in New Orleans is this weekend. I think I'm ready. I'm not jogging the entire race yet but I am up to jogging 2 whole miles!!!
I'm really excited about that because in January, I was huffing and puffing just to jog for 60 seconds... boy, if we just hang in there!!!!

Planning to watch the video real soon... but off to get ready for my day.

Have a GREAT week everyone... will try to get back on during the week.

jiggles!!!

where is Matilda??

Good Morning Ladies.

I gotta tell you all, this month has been hard. I changed my workout and it hasn't seemed to have had the same effect of two intense workouts. I have been working out everyday with my rest day of Sunday. I like the resistance bands and floor exercises though and I guess it may seem different because I don't sweat as much as I was when I go to the gym or do the 30 Day Shred, but then again it's only been a week that I have been doing it so I will give it another week. I really want to be in my size 16 by May. I have six more weeks to get it done.

Did I tell you all the detox/cleanse wasn't what I expected at all. I had gas for three days and had to pee a lot.

What is everyone's weekly schedules looking like for this week? What's your eating plan? What workout plans do you have? We are gonna be "Badu" fine in a little while. So let's get it started!!

Hey Ladies!!! I had an absolutely wonderful weekend. I had an okay time for my first race. 1:08:41. I went and hung out with my cousin on friday and she came to my race and then we hung some more. The boy and I are finally over. Good riddens.
Check back in later

pretty.size 11/12? gone girl!

insanity is a hardcore workout program..similar to p90x

idk how th elink policy work here but just google "beachbody insanity" and you will see what im talkn about..gota get this body ready for summer!

hey ladies! i just watched Erykah's video & lemme tell you - her body is gorgeous!

Hello ladies!!!!!!! I know Ive been mia for a couple of days Ive been so busy....Tax season at work and school is killing me. Ive been off plan and boy can I tell. I need to get my behind back to the gym and back to my calorie counting. Please throw me some will power dust! I hope everyone is having a great week.

Welcome to all the newbies!

Matilda - !!!

Brit - Insanity!!! I saw the infomercial and yea I will have to agree with you that it ain't for beginners or sissies!!!

Cake - I'm up on the running almost 3/4 mile. I started walking an a 6.5% incline and that is some hard labor. I'm hoping it will help me build up my strength to increase my running too.

diornotwar - How's it going? Nice to meet you!!!

I went to Maggiano's today with some coworkers for lunch. I ate the Tuscan & Sausage Ozro soup and Cesar Salad with the dressing on the side. Only ate about a teaspoon of the dressing and shook off all the cheese they put in the salad. My most accurate calculation of the calories is 300 and that's overestimating. I was real proud of myself because before the start of my journey, I could have easily eaten 3000-4000 calories in one sitting. I felt so empowered. I was at the table with five other people eating big. I just remembered that if I ate like they were eating I wouldn't be able to eat for two days.