Come join us ~ and please introduce yourself ~

[Ranaesheart]

If you're a new member, an old member, a regular participant or someone who is just checking out this community ...
we welcome you and would most sincerely urge you to become an active participant in the Weight Loss & Dieting community.    

Eating more nutritionally, implementing moderate exercise, losing weight and transitioning to a healthy lifestyle is better done among a caring group of like-minded friends.  We are in this together!  Let's ask questions, make friendships, share knowledge, use trackers, give support, provide motivation, encourage each other and celebrate our successes!  

Lets make this Positive, Motivational and Enlightening!!!  The joy is in the journey and the knowledge and friendships that are gained along the way. Come join us and lets make history!

Please take a moment to introduce yourself and tell us something about you and your journey.  If you have specific questions, you may want to start another post after you've said "hello" ... :]

Sunshine wishes ... you CAN do this ... and WE CAN DO THIS Together!!!  

[wonko]

I most surely do set smaller goals in between to celebrate.  I've made some good progress, but I know the rate at which I am losing is slowing down, and that trend will continue.  My tracker clearly shows this, and it makes sense.  All the more reason to have smaller goals in between!  

5 and 10 lb increments are always nice goals, as on my analog scale, the 5 and 10 lb marks have bigger lines.

I also set goals based on my memory of how I felt at different weights, and also based on what things were happening in my life at those weights.  

My next goal is to get below 230 lbs, so I need to lose just over 2 more lbs.

I really want to be in the 220's instead of the 230's.  I haven't been there since the year 2003, and though I'll still be very overweight, I recall that I had a lot more body confidence at that size.  

I recently bought a new bag while on travel in CA, and I'm saving it for once I get into the 220's.  I have the bag hanging on my kitchen chair.  I feel really good about eating well with that bag hanging behind me, and I know in a couple of weeks it'll be mine to take out.

My next big goal after that is 211 lbs.  I recall clearly that is how much I weighed when I started grad school in fall 2001.  So I think of the weight loss as sort of a time machine that can take me back to memorable times in my life.

I've been vegetarian for a couple of months, but can't do vegan all the time.  For me it is too stressful to always striclty watch out for any animal products in my diet.  But I do eat vegan meals often and try to lean in that direction.

I had a lot of reasons to personally decide to switch to a more plant-based diet.  I think that is a personal thing, and don't expect others to agree.  If anyone is interested, what got me thinking about it was a book called The China Study.  You'll find it easily if you google the title.  It's not for everyone, I really do respect that.  Just mentioning it as something that was of interest to me.

Don't thank me, I am thankful to have a place to come and chat about this.  I've had weight issues all of my life.  I've always had silly internal dialogs, at every meal and every restaurant and every food store.  I'm glad to be able to come here to work on building a better lifestyle and relationship with food and eating.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

[Ranaesheart]

Absolutely LOVED and THANK YOU for your lovely introduction!  You have learned much in your journey thus far and CONGRATULATIONS on 38 LBS ... YOU ARE AMAZING & INSPIRING!!  

100 lb is a lot to lose and YOU CAN and WILL achieve your goals.  May I kindly and most respectfully suggest that you set smaller goals in between as they are more easily obtainable and they allow you to celebrate many victories!!!  Besides, each victory celebration cements your determination and provides you the motivation to continue moving steadily forward.  I could not have imagined tackling 176 lbs .. I did tackle 2 lbs, 3 lbs, 5 lbs and no more than 10 lb increments ... and they eventually added up to 152 pounds; 24 more to go.  

Seeing "fat free" foods and allowing your brain to think you can eat more is something we all face from time to time.  The key is in changing our thought process.  It really means you are making healthier, lower-calorie options .. in the same or less quantities than before .. that will provide you with the weight loss and healthy lifestyle that is your goal.  The new clothing along the way .. ;] .. and looking and feeling better .. are your rewards!

Perimeter shopping is a wonderful idea and a great piece of knowledge you have shared with all of us.  Thank you!  Would also encourage you to share what you are learning with a vegan lifestyle ... while I'm not vegan, do find that I eat tremendously more fruits and vegetables than I used to and always love to explore more of that lifestyle.

Soooo glad you have elected to participate ... it's absolutely wonderful to have you among the amazing group of friends that are forming and staying engaged in this community.  

((((Hugs))))
Ranae

[Skailark]

Welcome to The commmunity! ~Sure we would like to know your army routines!
And never be afraid to ask questions here coz that's what we do here - answer them!

And believe me motivation is not an issue here - you will find plenty!

[msgorgeous]

Hello evereyone im 23 years old and ive gained some weight in the last year or soo. ive got a "tire" as some would say.... getting thunder thighs not quite thunderous yet but there getting there. Love handles not really in love with them so to speak. I dont wanna be super skinney not my fortay, in shape and heathy. Im not into dieting dont like it i still wanna eat pizza cookies icecream but in moderation haha. Just looking for some motivation to lose some weight and keep it off. I was in the army in 2005 i loved the daily excersise but due to a pelvis stress fracture was medically discharged. I love to run but dont really want ppl saying or thinking stuff about me when im running down the street lol i know crazy huh thats one of the reasons i dont do it. I know some good excersises if you want to know ill be glad to share them with you all

good luck to all of you

[wonko]

Hi, I'm a 29 F and this spring I (finally) decided to address my weight and lifestyle.  Before, I just was not willing to put the time and energy into it, I always found something else in life to prioritize.  

I work at computers all day and this was part of how I became very sedentary.  

Part of my journey is changing not only how much and how often, but also *what* I eat.  I used to eat lots of diet and low-cal products, from diet sodas to "fat free" this and that, etc.  

For me, I realized that those products were not helping me be healthy or maintain a good weight.  I think it was a combination of mentally allowing myself to eat too much (you know, the whole "it's fat free so I can eat more of it" line of thinking) and also all of the over-processed stuff I loved was pumped up with salty and sweet flavors that triggered my insatiable appetite.  (I could eat a whole 1/2 gallon of "light" ice cream, for example.)

I eat very differently now.  At first I cut out red meat, and then gradually became a vegetarian.  I don't think I can do vegan full time, but I make many vegan meals.  

I do "perimeter shopping" now, so at the store I skip all the middle aisles, which usually hold all of the processed/snack foods.  I go to produce first, and get the bulk of my groceries from there.

I weigh myself once a week (though skipped last week by choice), and use a Tracker here.  I am not into calorie counting or food journaling as I find them to be too stressful (though I know they are great methods for others!)  I sometimes wear a pedometer to count my steps/activity, and that can be fun for me.    

My weigh-in day is today, Friday.  As of today, I've lost 38 lbs since May.  My goal is to lose 100 lbs.  (I'm 5'9" and started at 270 lbs.)

Nice to meet you all, hope this wans't too long an intro, and good luck to everyone!

[ChitChatNine]

YOU are an inspiration to us all .... thank you for being you.  C~