I've been meaning to post in this thread, but kept forgetting.

Anyway, my name is Brandon. I'm 19 years old, 5'9", 244 pounds (down from 253 a couple of weeks ago). My goal is about 150. I've struggled with weight all my life, so I'm really hoping I can succeed this time.

I'm 36 years old, 5'6" and 260 pounds... I don't hate my body or my life, and I'm happily married - but my husband probably weighs 400 pounds and he desperately needs to lose a lot of weight (or at least stop gradually gaining!) so we're BOTH on a healthy eating campaign.

I've fallen for very unhealthy 'fad' diets before (14 pounds in 2 weeks, then it all bounces right back and brings its friends...) and I tend to be an 'all or nothing' person (a dangerous trait when it comes to dieting and getting anywhere...) so I haven't dieted in a very long time... I've tried to set a realistic goal for myself, which is to improve my physical fitness and endurance, and to lose 60 pounds. My target is 200 pounds, and depending on how well I go I'll re-evaluate the situation then. 

I also may or may not have PCOS (tests were inconclusive and I might just have too much estrogen-producing fat), and losing weight would definitely help with that. 

Wantabe,

Congrats on losing 3 pounds in 4 days that is not easy for some. If you keep this up then you will reach your weight loss goal sooner then you think. I have not been on here in like 3 months. I started my weight loss program in September when I weighed 265lbs. I am 22 and I never thought that I would let myself get that big but being in an abusive relationship and being an emotional eater I reached 265lbs with no problem. Making a life style change is not easy but once you do you will feel so much better about your self. I have lost a total of 80lbs in 5 months. Some people might say that I lost it to fast but I'm still losing and living a healthier life style. I'm 185lbs now and feel great about myself. I exercise almost every day, I feel like a different person, and I don't have to take anti-depressants anymore. It is amazing what losing weight can do to your self-esteem. Keep up the good work and if you find yourself slipping back into old habits sign in here and you will have hundreds of people to talk to and motivate you. Good luck!!

 Tanya

Good morning to all.  Wantabe, I have been there and done it here.  I welcome you with open arms and I'm sure everyone else does.  When I started I was at 243 in 2007.

Here's where I was in 2004 - 247lbs,  2005 - 248lbs headed to 249lbs, 2006 - 246lbs.  My knees ached could not stand much then 10 seconds walking was out of the questioin.  Arthritis pain, leg pain, chest pain, restless and depressed.  I gave in let me die I said so many changes went on in those years I was a mess.  Then... 

January 1, 2007 I said what in the heck am I doing.  I have a beautiful family and grand children my family is growing and I'm giving up?  Why? I ask myself Am I doing this?  ENOUGH! 

Just by accident I found CC.  it has been a year this January 2, 2008.  I've been going slow step by step I'm down 53 or more after today  and I enjoy life, family and long walking YES, I can walk I walk as much as 10 miles.  I've learned that unhealthy weight brings on illness I have detoxed from all the poisons I was putting in my body my arms had this dark shadow and my face to since I've lost this weight GONE my skin looks great feels good to look at myself again.  It has been one heck of job but it has been worth every step.

Hang in there wanabe I know you can

Hi everyone,

Im hoping to be a part of your group.  Im in the same situation as well, I want to at least lose 200 lbs.   I made a commitment after I started having problems with my knees.  Oh I forgot to mention the pending trip to the Bahamas in September.  I have to be honest.  I dont weigh myself.  I get too nervous.  What works for me is dress sizes.  When I stated  on January 15, I wore a size 26 jean.  Well on Friday, I went and bought a new pair, and they are a size 22.   So I try to stay positive and stay on my regime as much as possible.   Everyday is not great, but I always give myself cudos for the attempt .  Peace and Blessings to you all, and if you need someone to talk or vent to, Im here. 

Good Morning to all.

I'm new to this site. I have been here for about 4 days now. I'm 22 years old, 5'7" and am currently at 254. I have been looking around the site and trying to get used to it and came across this forum and was excited to know that there are people here that are in the same boat as me. Everyone here seems very nice and supportive or each other. I have gone through gastric bypass surgery when I was 18. My top weight the day I went in was 375. Over a year and a half I got down to 230 (the lowest Ive been) but in the last year or so I have gotten back up to 250 and I don't want that to continue so I decided it was time to do something. Ive tried diets and exercising before but I never stuck with it. This time I am determined that I will not fail. The first couple of days were hard and I didn't really stick to it like I have been since then. Now I'm trying to exercise between 20 mins and an hour everyday to every other day and maintain a deficit of 500 to 1000 calories a day. At the beginning here Ive decide to concentrate more on eating least and watching calories rather than looking at the food grade scale. I have a short term goal of possibly getting down to 200 by my wedding in October. If this doesn't happen I wont be to upset about it because of my longer term goal is still in sight.

If anyone has any suggestions or comments on maybe what I could do to be successful I would love to hear them. I'm open ears and open arms.

Thanks so much in advance.

 Jen

Good Morning all, Well Jen you sound like you been there and don't it once before but, I know what you mean about short goals I've done a lot of short goal planning and failing.  For me NOW this is a life change I want to be healthy, happy and enjoy life being at that 250 weight I was not happy nor was I healthy everything ached.  Yes, you are at the right site for motivation and support.  Have you visited the nutrition advice they will get you started and please join some of the team challenges they worked for me when I first started.  Doing the challenges I met wonderful people and I lost my first 30lbs.  I'm sure you can lose 54 lbs by October.

IDIA!!! why don't we all do a challenge group here what do you all say?  Most of the groups have already started.  Melmug we are all interested in losing lot of pounds lets get a challenge going I love to walk we can all walk record our distance daily and weigh in weekly.  The weather is warming up some.  Does anyone have some challenge ideas? Everyone let's give Melmug some ideas OK

ME:   Currently:  226    Goal:  139

The walking idea is great!  As you said above longwalker, we should get our own team challenge going - walk as much as we can in a week and then weigh in.  I'm game.  How do we start?