I mean, I noticed that I was overeating. I'm so pissed at myself!!!

I was doing great for awhile... I was about 195 lbs. and was riding my bike everywhere. I wasn't eating particularly healthy, but I looked healthy and was still losing weight because of the bike riding... then I lost my job and was forced to move back in with my parents. My grandmother's home cooking is delicious! I would eat and eat and eat and eat, saying that sure, I was probably gaining a few pounds, but nothing that I wouldn't be able to lose once I moved out... about a month and a half ago, a nurse weighed me and I weighed 300lbs!!!!!

I gained over 100 pounds in 1 year!! I have disgusting stretch marks on my stomach and for the first time in my life, I'm completely ashamed of my body, myself, and my life. My stretch marks are HUGE! They are on the front of my stomach and go alllll the way around my body. They're on my legs, arms, everything, it's disgusting. I can't even take my shirt off in the gym locker room because I'm so embarassed.

Since then I've basically lost a few pounds here and there, but nothing terribly incredible. My weight still fluctuates and right now I'm at about 292 pounds. I was on the scarsdale medical diet for about a week, but I lost my will power and cheated. :[ I haven't gained any weight back yet, but I also haven't been losing weight.

I just wanted to vent... I'm sorry.

Welcome to the forum. You are not alone, there are so many people here who are going through the same things as you and I hope you find the support that I have by being here. It's tough for all of us when weight just creeps up on us like that but what's important is that you are ready to tackle it.

If you look through the threads you'll see one called 'If you don't give up you can't fail" or something like that. Watch the youtube link in it, I think you'll find it inspiring like we did.

Good luck and hope you stick around here.

Welcome!! I also "surprisingly" ate my way up to nearly 300 pounds and it can feel overwhelming! But we're here for you and know what you're going through!

Do you have a plan for getting started?

Welcome! You have come to the right place for information and support. Try to find a plan you can stick to for life, the rest will just fall into place.

Welcome! I ate my weight up to over 300 pounds so I do understand where you're coming from.

Like Heather, I am wondering if you have a plan. I am a calorie counter. It is fairly simple and flexible. You can check that out and lots of other eating plans here if you want at the Diet central - http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/#diet-central

Good luck with your goals. You can do this

Hugs
Michelle

Welcome! I hope that you find lots of support here, but I'm sure you will. Everyone's fantastic

If the confidence that you can lost a significant amount of weight is lacking at the beginning, grit your teeth and try it for a week. You'll see the weight come off and that will encourage you. Then try it for another week. Eventually the confidence will come - it's almost like your body will do it, and the mind will catch up a few weeks later

Welcome and good luck ! I am a calorie counter and find that works best for me There are many diet plans , get started and when you see the scale go down it is a great motivator.

I know it seems hopeless, but it's not. I ate/drank/smoked my way from 190 to well over 300 in 6 months. Then up almost another hundred over a couple of years. Then, starting last August, I committed to losing weight and lost 120 lbs in a year. I still have a ways to go, but I'll get there. You can too. Just commit, find a plan, and do it. You can do this!

Welcome to the forum. I went through something similar a few years ago and gained over 60 lbs in a year not really realizing it. I have been up and down since but since joining the forum a month ago has really held me accountable for my actions. I feel ready to lose this weight once and for all and I'm sure you can too!

I do have a plan... well, sort of.

You see, as of right now I'm just planning on eating healthier and going to the gym realistically twice a week, but optimally four times a week. I read in another thread that it's better to set a realistic goal for yourself that you'll be able to keep and feel good about yourself as opposed to setting an unrealistic goal and then failing at it and feeling like crap.

I'm going to attempt to go to the gym at least three times a week. I'm working with a body builder friend of mine to get my diet, excercise and most importantly, motivation going. It's hard... I feel so demotivated and hopeless. I don't even know how long it's going to take to get back down to a non-obese weight, but I'm going to work at it. Slowly but surely I WILL get it down. Because of this, I'm not going to set an official START DATE, because I seem to get lost and distracted... instead I'm going to try and make a lifestyle commitment. I'm going to try and not think of this as losing weight, but rather making a lifestyle change in baby steps.

Wish me luck everyone, I'm definitely going to need it.

I know what getting those stretch marks all over is like... all from gaining weight at such a rapid pace. Although you can't really do anything about them, you can start using cocoa butter creams and stuff to help fade them so by the time you lose all your weight they won't be as noticeable.

and I know what it's like living at home having all the food around... good luck to you. if you have any questions or need any help, we are all here for you.

I think that's a good plan to start. Sounds a lot like my starting plan. You're making a commitment, and that's important!! And you're being realistic!

I have to tell you you CAN do this! And you will start feeling better soon! Mentally and physically -- and that's before the weight comes off! Taking control, eating better and exercise really help!! And then when you start losing you will feel on top of the world! I'm not saying it's easy, but it IS rewarding!!

I just wanted to add that it is possible. I know when I started I had all kinds of doubt swimming around in my head. But I took a step back, took a deep breath and just started. I don't look at the long term, I look at mini goals and they will add up in the end.

Good luck on starting your new life.

do any of us know how it happened? lol. its like you blink and you've gained 50 lbs. i remember the first time i got on the scale and saw that i was over 200 i started crying... but didnt do anything about it. so you're a step ahead of me!

By the way, I just wanted to say thanks to everyone here for the support. It really means a lot. At the very least, it brings a smile to my face about the whole situation and hearing from you guys really makes me think it is possible.

Our lives our so busy, it's just not fair that it's much easier to gain weight than it is to lose it, especially considering that it takes much less time to gain weight than it does to lose it! It takes 5 minutes to eat a candy bar and roughly 45 minutes of excercise to make up for it... curse that.