Motivation

Hi, my name is Suzanne and I am 23 years old. I weigh 258.3 pounds(yikes) and would really like to get down to between 140 and 150. I was wondering if there was anyone else out there in their 20's who has about that much they want to lose. We could work together and stay motivated to reach our goals!!! Also, if there is anyone in their 20's who has lost that much and wants to share their success story, I would love to hear it! Thanks!

allydan, i don't think you should try to give up smoking and try to lose weight simultaneously. that's a LOT to do, and if you fall back in one, that could bum you out and you could quit both all together.

now for a kick in the butt: you KNOW better than to keep eating that crap! you know while you're eating it that it's not doing you any favors, you KNOW that every fried oreo or every vodka tonic is one step FARTHER from the checkout at Express. Put that **** down, and FOCUS DAMMIT!!!!

yes, it's great to go out with friends, but you are too damn old to still give in to peer pressure. YOU know eating crappy crap isn't helping...who cares what your friends do? let them eat the garbage, you CAN abstain! do you wanna come back in a month and tell us you weigh 210? no, i didn't think so! stop acting stupid!!! you love yourself, and you wanna be healthy, and LIVE LONG, right? Right?

then act like it! refocus on your health, you know you can do it!

(*putting the b*tch back in the closet*) stay strong!!!

 

janal - Thanks for the crossed fingers!
ps. Is your cousin single? lol.. jk

ally - I definitely agree with dalma... one addiction at a time! work on the food for now, then quit smoking when the timing is better. If I had to give up my shopping addiction along with food, I would not be a happy girl.. lol
I'll definitely try to stay strong this weekend.. it's just so hard when he makes me weak in the knees. I can't even count how many times I've tried to have that conversation with him... but it's different now I think. Now that I'm losing weight I'm more confident and want to start dating other people again. So if he doesn't want this, I'll find someone who does. Mmm snap!  lol

dalma - please kick me in the butt just like that when I fall off track! lol
ps. that blog post is up now on my blog. I left soo much out, but I think it's a good overview.... *sigh*

thanks, sonini! i read it, and i left you a comment on your blog.

Original Post by allydan:

Also... okay, confession time: I'm a smoker, and there's a lot (A LOT) of pressure to quit, but I don't think I can right now.  Honestly, it's one of the only things that's kept me going this long since it cuts down on food cravings.  *Sigh*  I know, I know, it's gross and bad for me, and I never should have started in the first place, but late at night when I start contemplating eating something I know would push me over my calories, it keeps me from doing that.  I just don't think I can both lose weight and quit smoking at the same time.  *Sigh again*  

 

I figure if you are going to confess I should as well, I too am a smoker and I have my parents, sister, co-workers and friends on my back to quit.  But I can't quit and try to lose weight at the same time.  I rather conquer one thing at a time. So Allydan totally feel your pain, in some weird way smoking keeps me going.  One of the reasons I go to the gym as often as I do is because I get out of my house and I can go for a smoke (I don't smoke at home).  It also helps me get through a tough workout because I reward myself with a smoke.  I know it's a bad habit but I need to get through this before I can even attempt to conquer that.

Sonini - That particular cousin in actually married but I have a lot of single (male) cousins.  I have a BIG family, approximately 37 first cousins you can take your pick.

Ok I am determined to get completely caught up now....

dalmalama: Did you enjoy your trip out of town? I know it's crazy hard to keep a workout schedule and a social schedule going. I am always amazed at the people who can juggle it all! I guess it's a good thing you didn't cut your hair if you are starting to get tired of the short and choppy do! I have never properly used spring break either. Mostly I read and slept! How boring am I? Who'd have known there was an almost slut in you!

mladdy (Melanie) I am so jealous of your being in Southern Cali! Soooo jealous. Want to switch and live in cold and windy PA for a while???? Way to go for feeling sexy! That's such a confidence boost! Thank you so much for your kind words. They really mean the world to me. I just figure there are enough people just trying to kick us down in this by not believing we can do this, so why should I be like them? Instead I know we can all do this together! Whoo for getting on with couch to 5k! Positive vibes! Good luck on your interview! I might have to try this 5k thing...   I have to pack portions right away too. Or else, it's like well...a little more won't hurt. It's amazing to see the difference in what I always thought was a portion, and what actually is one! Thank you for the prayers for peace! Things are calming down some now, thank goodness!

luckyangelou: It's ok that you don't know a whole lot of names/nicknames. It can be hard to remember them all. My name is Suzanne by the way. I can totally understand being stressed about school. I was so stressed yesterday, I snapped at my husband for being sweet and making me dinner! I apologized to him though. I was just fretting about a paper I was writing.  Good luck with the couch to 5k plan! You can do it! Thanks for the prayer....and the diddy! It's in my head too! That's a great fun song! How did you do the elliptical backwards??? I hate wearing pants that give me muffin top! As a result, I tend to buy my pants on the bigger side so I can wear (slightly) snugger shirts without my love cakes hanging out.  I definitely can realate to feeling so bummed about how clothes fit!

watchme: That walk across America looks cool! I don't know if mlady responded yet about the virtual model, but it's mvm.com  I totally have size issues too. It's so retarded that we have to lose 30 lbs or more just to go down a size! But that's not the case for thinner people...for them I think it's like 12 lbs for a size. Boo hard to go down a size! Don't kill yourself trying to lose weight though! I think 3 pounds a week is going to be pushing it. Seriously...if he can't accept that you are on a journey to losing weight, maybe he isn't worth your time. You definitely don't want to hurt yourself just so you can be a size smaller than you would be if you just took your time. Anyhow...you told him what size you are and he still is interested in you. I am sure your sparkling personality will be enough to win him over! Also, my husband and I have that relationship with our families too. We see my mom once to twice a week and his parents 2-3 times a month. I think in most situations you are marrying the family as much as each other! You definitely have a busy weekend coming! Have fun!

sonini: you may have noticed, I definitely have been slacking with keeping up with everyone. I like to try though, so here I am still trying to get caught up! It's so great that you lost weight on vacay! You are my role model! I hope your job interview went terrific! I like your logic about how you will only go down, but a tiny thing will go up! That's good logic! It's so weird that a b/f of four years won't commit. When my hubby and I got together, I figured he had until I was 22 to propose, since we'd been dating since 16, other wise I was looking elsewhere. Well, he proposed to be at 20, so all is well!

carla82: welcome to our family! You can lose your 30 lbs! You'll see!

alibuch: I carry my weight pretty evenly too. I haven't lost 25 lbs yet though to say if everything will just get a little baggy. I can't believe you have to send a pic to teach in Korea! Wow, Korea is so high school!

safantasia: congrats on your 50lbs lost! Booking a trainer for a few weeks is a great idea. I am sure your hard work will pay off! Your family will definitely notice a difference!

 danibelle: Way to go on losing a size! HOoray for you!

allydan: Don't you hate old lady flowers on bathing suits??? I want to be in a bikini next summer. Thats my goal! I hate mumu clothes too! I bought this shirt from old navy plus in a 1x online, and I got it, and hated it! Online, it was cute. On me, it was like a garbage bag! Boo mumu clothes! Way to power up at the gym! Yay for getting back on track! I am glad that things are going good with the guy! Whoo! I took kick boxing a couple of times. I loved it, but it really kicks butt! My best friend Megan shops at Torrid. Maybe they aren't doing vanity sizing, and everyone else is small sizing! You will be able to shop at Old Navy, Aero, and gap while you are between sizes! I totally used to rock Express clothes. I do miss that! Sounds like you had a great time at Mardi gras! I have always wanted to do that!

futurelooksbeautiful: Welcome to our group! You found the right place because everyone here knows that it really isn't that easy to lose weight! We all know it's a struggle and a journey and we are here to make the commitment!

aprilrutherford: Hi! Welcome to our group!  We love to chat! Hopefully we can help each other through!

hilwe85: I am not sure if I welcomed you yet or not, but welcome anyway! If you are anything like me, emotional stress = overeating. Hopefully this will be an outlet for you! I am sorry that you and your boyfriend broke up. I hope you are doing ok. I am proud of you for not emotional eating though! I have been trying to eat around 1300 calories a day, but I too average around 1600. I do so good with meal planning and all, but then I just end up hungry and snack on something or another, bringing up my calories.

stephanielafrate: Hi! Welcome to our group! You can definitely vent here, or send me messages as well. It's great that your friend is having you in her wedding and I am sure you can reach your goals. I am mostly wearing a 20 now too and really want to get back down to 16 then 14 until I am a size 8. Then I will be totally excited! Believe it or not, this is actually my first forum too. I don't even have myspace! Glad to have you as part of our group Stephanie!

pinkcobra: how is the melting pot? I am glad you are having fun!

madcoolqt: Welcome! I too am discouraged when I see how fat my face got. Boo for feeling discouraged and yay for the day we can celebrate!

I was definitely a major flirt before meeting my husband. It was easy for me, because I was the only one in my junior high with boobs! I didn't sleep around or anything, but I had a lot of confidence, and I always liked the attention!

snny448: Hi welocme to our group! Congrats on losing 31 lbs! That is awesome! I think some of the people on this site just don't have realistic goals, but it's good to see you do!

avg133 (Alysha) Welcome to our group. Way to go losing 19 pounds. I support the fact that you are trying to do this without surgery! Congrats on starting a lifestyle change!

korali:  Hi! Thanks for joining us! Yay for down in pounds! Congrats and keep up the good work!

 

Ok.......I am getting tired of typing. I am almost caught up now....

I just wanted to say that since last week and all of it's hecticness I really haven't been minding my calories (again) or really taking care of myself at all. So I plan to get back in gear now and really focus. I am not even going to bother to weigh in for a few days, because I am sure the results will just make me cranky!

Suzanne - You're awesome, and so sweet for catching up with everyone!  The elliptical machines I use (also called a cross-trainer) have a reverse function.  It's really great, because it works a whole different group of muscles, including your front thighs and butt!  I can really burn a lot of calories on the ellipticals in a short time doing that in intervals with going forward.  I find it's a good way to supplement the small amount of calories I'm burning with Couch to 5K.  I know that if I keep working hard, I'll be able to fit into my skinny Levi's and tight Fender t-shirt without muffin top! 

Today was a better day.  I haven't felt hungry all day, but I did feel really lethargic.  I only made one terrible food choice today.  It was the annual Students for Access To Justice bake sale, and I had one cupcake from the awesome baker in our class.  I figured it was a once a year kind of thing and for a good cause.  I suppose I could have just given the dollar and not taken the cupcake, but it was so delicious!  It was also Sonic day (a weekly trip with one of my girlfriends), but I got a Diet Cherry Diet Dr. Pepper, and it is delicious!  The weather here is lovely today, so I think I am going to forgo the gym and go for a brisk walk outside instead.  Hope every one else is doing well today!

welcome back suzanne! do you have carpal tunnel yet?

i just had some thoughts about the not weighing in thing. i'm not saying it's a bad idea, i'm just giving my experience.

whenever i screw up, i have to weigh myself the next day. i need that slap in the face. if i don't look, if i avoid the scale, and the truth, i'll keep avoiding it until i start to do some serious damage. if i see a three pound gain, i see a gain. it just makes me realize i have to get my rear in gear. plus, the next time i weigh myself, i'm happy about the weight loss, which is a bigger amount than it would've been had i just subtracted from my original, lower weight.

it's like when i go on a weekend shopping jag. i don't give a flip about my balance, until sunday night, when i realize i actually have to buy groceries! so i suck it up and fearfully check my balance. i need to know to make sure i don't overdraw. and if the balance is too low, i can always return something.

so that's my opinion. i don't put off weighing myself b/c the scale might give me bad news. for me, it's best to confront it.

thanks for the encouragement everyone.  still feeling kind of glum and frustrated.  i'm going to salsa dancing tonight but then i have to miss the next couple days then cuz i have family coming tomorrow and i'm going out of town for a wedding.  will just take a few days off (maybe swim/work out at my place or the hotel but can't do dance) and try to get back into the groove of things on monday. 

maybe i should look at some people's success stories or something.  anyone know someone with good pics?  i keep looking at my pics thinking "damn, soooo far to go still."  i can't see myself EVER being a size 8 let alone a 14 right now... that is making me feel defeated.

hey watchme, check out gnldennison. she didn't have as much weight as we did to lose, but she was still pretty chunky. she looks incredible now! i have some more, but it'll take me a little while to find them all. i'm about to leave for the gym, so i probably won't find 'em till tomorrow.

edit: how do you search for people using their screen names?

Dalma, you totally rock, and I know you're right.  I'm going to have to print that post out and put it on my refrigerator!  I AM too old for peer pressure, and I CAN abstain!  I think it'll help if I go back to drinking only two days a week like I did in January.  It's hard to make good decisions when the tequila in you is saying, "eat it!  You know you want to!  It's goooood!" Thanks for the kick in the butt!  Hopefully I can start reporting positive things again, and we'll both hit our mini goals in time for our birthday! Thanks for bringing the b*itch out of the closet!  She was needed! :-)

Sonini, I'm going to have to take a little trip to your blog to get the story too!  I'm super curious, I'll admit!

And thanks for being supportive about the the smoking sonini, dalma and janal.  Janal, thanks for "fessing up" too!  It's nice to know I'm not alone! :-)

Whoo-hoo!  Suzanne is back in full force!  Way to catch up, chica!  And thanks for mentioning Aero, I'd forgotten about them too! Maybe I won't be clothesless after all! lol! :-)

Luckyangelou, have fun with your walk!  It's a really great break from the gym, and actually leaves me more sore than using the elliptical.  Maybe it's all the hills in stuff where I walk. Anyway, have a good time, and good job with the eating mostly well! 

As for me, I have a little more positive news: Tuesday afternoon at 3:30pm is my official weekly weigh-in (like dalma, I never miss), and I'm actually at 201lbs for today, and I have no clue how.  It could be a fluke, but I'm really hoping it's not.  Either way it's especially odd since after lunch my great aunt flo decided to surprise me like 5 days early.  (Which freaks me out in and of itself 'cuz I'm always on time.  Like clockwork.)  Anwyay, I feel a little better because it being that time of the month helps explain why I've been eating so much, although it's no excuse for eating badly, I still feel a little better.  Have a great evening ladies!  

Original Post by watchmeshine82:

maybe i should look at some people's success stories or something.  anyone know someone with good pics?  i keep looking at my pics thinking "damn, soooo far to go still."  i can't see myself EVER being a size 8 let alone a 14 right now... that is making me feel defeated.

Check out x17star17x - she has been some serious inspiration for me! She also has a blog: http://halftheweight.com/  and there are before/after pictures there. She lost more than half her weight!

Here's one really great one....my best friend lost half her weight too. It's so amazing what people can really do.

Megan 

 Her picture just amazes me! And also makes me very jealous.... :)

thanks you guys!  i need to start thinking in bite sized goals again rather than the whole daunting task....cuz as of right now, i have to lose exactly half my weight to get to my final goal of 135 lbs.

luckyangelou: The reverse function on the elliptical sounds awesome and challenging! If I ever get an elliptical, I will have to make sure it can do that! The funny thing is when you said you go on the elliptical backwards, I actually thought you meant you stood on it backwards! Lol! I really think I will try couch to 5k! It sounds great! It's ok if you only eat one cupcake every once in a while. Every one needs a little sweetness!

dalmalama: Totally carpel tunneling it! You are right though, I just need to get on the scale and fess up! That will be my duty first thing in the morning! Thank you for pointing out that I really need to get on there in a nice way! As for my balance, I work at the bank where I have my accounts so I obsessively compulsively check my balance everyday!

watchmeshine: have fun dancing! Good idea looking for success stories! It is easier to stay motivated when you know it can be done!

allydan: I am disapointed in you for smoking! But I will admit I smoked from the time I was 13 to the time I was 17. I quit (Thank God) and now I can't stand the smell of smoke. I know it's crazy hard to quit smoking and lose weight at the same time, but I would reccomend trying to kick the habit for this reason. After my dad died, my mom decided she was going to lose weight and be healthier. She went from a 24 to a comfortable 18, and was happy. Once she lost the weight she desired to lose, she started working on quitting smoking. Well, while she was dieting she relied heavily on cigs to ease her hunger. Once she quit smoking she started relying on food to ease her cravings. The problem is, she quit smoking, and now she is back up in size to like a 26, and she can't lose it because she doesn't know how to lose wight without smoking as a crutch. I know it may seem harder to quit cigs while trying to be healthier, but believe me, I think it will be easier in the long run! I love Aero....I really can't wait to shop there again!

sonini & danibelle: That's an awesome success story! Thanks for sharing!

allydan - you'll quit when you're ready. I quit January 2007 (so I'm over a year now!) and I had smoked for about 5 years consistently - a pack a day. I did gain lots when I quit, which explains why I was at my highest weight in December when I started. But no matter what, it will be difficult. When you go to try, don't try to do it without help (i.e. patches, something...)

Hope everyone has a great night....just watching the biggest loser and trying to get inspired. 

ennazus: Yeah, having to send a picture for a job here kind of sucks. But at the same time, is it really any different than in the US? Here you have an interview in person. With getting a job in Korea, it's a phone interview. You can still be discriminated against in the US for your looks when it comes to getting a job. That being said (and not trying to sound rude) I've seen a lot of really ugly (and many overweight-- including myself) westerners here so I don't think schools here are discriminating too much. haha

weighed in at 271.4 this morning even though my period is supposed to start today.  does that mean i'm really in the high 260s now?  does that mean i'm 271?  what GIVES?!?!?    stupid machine.  tried dalma's idea about weighing a weight (thanks!  fabulous idea!) and the stupid thing was accurate so i guess it only tells me a different weight because of water, sodium, etc.  *sigh*  oh w ell, i don't care. 

 

Don't weigh yourself everyday. It seems like you weigh yourself too much. You have daily fluctuations in your weight because of water, sodium, etc. Weigh yourself 1x a week, max. Weigh yourself the same day, same time of day (ex. Mondays when you wake up). 

OH MY GOD!!! I Just checked out that half my weight blog you posted, sonini. that girl looks incredible! i totally bookmarked it. so now, if i ever feel like it's just not possible, i'm going back there!