Hello everyone.

I'm so glad I found this forum. I think this will be my lifeline for as long as it takes to lose and keep off my excess weight. I'm 27 and found out this morning that I've gained 30 pounds over the last year, so I'm now 215 pounds. Needless to say, today was very miserable. But my decision to lose weight is not a knee jerk reaction to this discovery. I recently began walking from my train stop to work instead of taking the bus, and taking the stairs instead of the lift, and I've noticed how much better I've felt. A couple of weeks ago I decided to take advantage of a free gym membership offer that the company I work for offers to its staff, and I signed up yesterday at a Virgin Active gym close to my home.

I've avoided weighing myself over the past year, and I convinced myself that it's the clothes shops whose sizes are getting smaller. I know this is not true, and it's me expanding. I've battled with weight most of my life, and have endured the treatment that comes with being bigger than most of my female friends, even from my mother who's a size 10. I've tried ignoring it all and telling myself I'm rebelling by keeping the weight, but inasmuch as I hate being judged by my size, I feel I need to do this for myself and for my health. I would dearly like the feeling of being small, of being cuddled, instead of being lusted after by men who have a thing for 'bigger' women. I don't know if anyone understands what I mean, but I guess it's important to me. I would love to dance wildly and run through a park without feeling I'd look ridiculous jiggling all over the place. I would love to dance for hours without feeling exhausted like I usually do. I guess I just want to be fit. And smaller. Much smaller.

I've made a target of 2 pounds a week over the next 9 months at least to get to down to my target of between 132 and 150 pounds. (loss of 65 to 83 pounds). I intend doing this through exercise. I did this once before and managed to get down to 158 pounds, but I gained it all back as I stopped exercising and carried on eating like I was when burning it all off. I'm determined not to let that happen this time. I don't really like diets, but I know I have to watch my food intake. I guess I just need to keep myself motivated, and I hope this forum will help. The more people I know are going through similar experiences the more motivated I'll be to keep on with my goal. My target is 3 to 4 times a week and my first session is on Sunday. Wish me luck.

Welcome, Id type more but my lunch break is over, so back to work, but if someone else doesn't give you the scoop first, then I'll be back in a few hours.

Ok - thanks for taking time out to say hi

Hi! I'm sure this forum will help you in many ways, from your questions about exercises to just conversing with others who know what your going through. You should start a journal in the journal section so that you can keep track of what you are doing w/ eating and exercise and get to know people on here.

Welcome! Congratulations for your option!
I hope you find here as much motivation as I do!
You'll make it! Believe in yourself! Life's beautiful and there is so much worth living, we don't need bad habits to me happy..
May a new sun shine in your life.
***

Thanks guys,

I've been looking through the other rooms and there's so much information to take in, but it's interesting seeing so many variations in approaching the weight loss goal.
I think the journal is a great idea, because it won't be as easy to slack off if there's a record of my progress.
Thanks for the vote of confidence. I'm ready to start living my life, and this is only the start.

welcome aboard RhoRho

You've come to right place. True, it's information overload here, but a journey begins with a single step.

You'll find lots of motivation here.

Hello and welcome

My highest weight was 216 and I want to get to around 135... so I have the same goals as you

I definately agree with the others about starting a diary. I know I'm a bit late in posting thing, so you may have already done it, but if not it is a very useful tool! Also, counting calories is also very helpful. It helps keep you on track, and keeps your eyes open to your eating habits. A very easy way to keep track of it is by using this website:

FitDay - Free Weight Loss and Diet Journal

It's easy to use, and you can keep track of more than just your cal's, such as your fitness, weight loss goals, etc.

Anyways, I wish you best in your weight loss goals, anything is possible if you put your mind and effort into it!

Thanks, Risty, It's great to meet someone who's got similar goals to me. You've done so well to lose as much as you have. How long did it take you? I've given myself 9 to 10 months, but that's on the basis of my losing 2lbs a week. It's a really scary prospect, but I'm determined to do it, because I need to take my life by the horns and do what I want to (if that makes sense).

I'm off to my first session in an hour, which I'll record in my diary.