Hello, everyone.

I just came across these forums in a search for motivational before/after pictures. I've always found my greatest source of information and inspiration to come from people on boards such as this, so I'm happy to have found a community with a common goal.

I'm 33, and I've been battling my weight mostly just for the last 10 years. I never had a weight problem until I started getting older. I've also never had great eating habits, so it makes sense that as my metabolism slowed, my not-so-healthy choices started to show. I'm very much a foodie, as I basically grew up in a family-owned restaurant, I love to cook, and I currently work for a major food company. But my true issue lies with using food for comfort and boredom. Being around it in so many aspects is just the icing on the cake, so to speak. I can't get away from it, even if I want to!

I've read up on and tried almost every diet program out there. I've had the most success on the more non-restrictive plans, such as Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig. Now I'm back to the basics, with tracking calories in / calories out. I detest exercise, but need to find the strength and stamina to suck it up and DO IT anyway.

My profile picture is from 9 years ago, when I felt my best, before the weight started piling on. So I'm keeping it up as further motivation.

I need to lose quite a bit of weight -- a minimum of 70 lbs.

I look forward to getting to know you all.

Jaime

Hello welcome to the forum, I'm new too. I'm exactly the same as you except the restaurant my whole family are food orientated people. I love to cook and bake. I eat out of boredom, comfort, happiness, socialising and it so hard to break out of the cycle. I always lose intrest and motivation. I found with the slimming world diet it isnt a diet its a lifestyle. Its made me concious of the choices i make. I still get to cook lovely dishes and try lots of new idea. I bet once you find the right approach for you the weight will drop off
Good luck

Thanks for your post, atm. It's so true - food is a part of everything. I always find the hardest part to "give up" (until I can get control of myself) is the social aspect of it. Dinner with friends, lunch with my friends at work ... I really enjoy those things, and not just for the food! But the food is one part of it that I have a very hard time resisting. I love trying new things, which is so hard to do while being calorie-conscious. Also difficult are the events at work, as all are (purposely) planned around food. I also get little bonuses in pay for taste testing my company's products. Argh!!

So is the slimming world diet a different approach? I've never heard of that one. I'm off to Google it now!

hey and welcome to you both. You're in the right place for motivation, not to mention a great place to make new friends. It's nice to see people not wanting to add to the 65% of Americians that are overweight. I look forward to getting to know you better and wish you the best of luck!

Well Slimming world is a bit tricky at first and has been going strong in the UK for 40 years. I go to class once a week get wieghed, get support from other class members (thats where i get my motivation from) and share recipe. They do other thing such as body magic, which is the exercise side get awards at complete differant levels.
The plan is to basically making a concious effort to go for a lighter choice in cooking but can still can have pasta, meat, fish, veg, rice, fruit and nice meals. Works on a free food and syns. You get 15 syns a day to use how ya like i tend to eat free food most the week and save my syns up for a weekend to go out with friends and choose anything i want.
It cuts out high fat dairy but can eat low fat veriations of yogurts, cottage cheese, fromage fraise and natural yog. Bread, milk and regular cheese is limited.
This is the website Slimming World - because you're amazing They do classes all over the world and internet memberships.
I know so many people that have had great success with slimming world but as i say its a lifestyle change not just a diet. It doesnt work for everyone, i think thats a dedication thing more than anything though.
I wud say a month ago i wouldnt be able to work in a food place i seriously lack self control now i aget my eating habits and keep myself in check . I LOVE pastries. I would test anything!