Hey everyone,
So, this is my 1st entry. I'm 24 yrs old, and have been dieting on and off since I was fresh out of High School where I ballooned up from 185lbs to 241lbs. I've always been the chubby kid - or the "big buy" over there. I really need some sort of lifestyle change, and I think by posting here I can the motivation I was lacking so badly. I've tried the crash no calorie, no sugar, no fat no taste diets, I've tried atkins, I've tried every trendy diet in the book, but nothing works. I think 1/2 of that Is my own fault, because I do it for a little while, get bored with the food options, damn near starve myself, get depressed, and go back to bad habits. This time around, I'm changing the lifestyle instead of just the food.
The past 2 night's I've started a walking trend around the block from my house, it's approx 2.1 miles, and at a nice pace along with the iPod, I think I can do it successfully. I'm not a materialistic person. I can live without being rich, or the latest and greatest of anything. The only thing I want is to be at a normal weight, and if I achieve that, then I will be the happiest person in the world.

that's the right attitude

that's a great start... remember not to overdo it - sometimes that causes people to burn out and just stop doing it completely so reeally pay attention to your body... and how you're feeling..

Awesome attitude all around! Get posting and let us get to know you...and help you. I would highly recommend a diary to all new members...so good for you for starting one. I love mine - and the other members are full of support and ideas to help us. Good luck!

Patrick, i'm in the same boat.
Was 175 at end of HS, now i'm 26 and pushing 220!
I've always been battling with my weight and have had a pretty horrid self-image as a result; but I'm getting married this July, so i finally decided to DO something about it.

Grats on starting your healthy lifestyle NOW. I find it extremely motivating to hear other people my age with similar weight issues doing something about it!

GOOD LUCK!

Thanks a lot! I don't know why I never thought of joining one of these forums in the past. I guess I'm just not used to the positive feedbacks, and the encouragement
After dieting so many times in the past, everyone around me see's it as another 2 weeks "I wanna be healthy" phase. The thing is, this time I really want to do it. I'm going on Vacation to Florida in May, and I wanna be in better shape for that trip. No use for fun in the sun, when all you want to do is stay indoors, or have nothing to do with a beach. So if overall happiness and building my self-confidence is my goal (I've always been the fun, loud, outlandish, and outgoing friend- but because of totally lacking self-confidence I suppose I used the personality as a cover up), then I suppose I can use my vacation as a form of motivation. I reallllllly do not want to waste the money, if I'm not going to have any fun!

Hey Patrick,

The motivation you can get from this forum is amazing. Good for you in taking a step in the right direction towards getting healthy. Sounds like you've started to exercise some, which is great. Start slow and don't over-do it, getting burnt out too quick is never fun.

I can totally relate to how you want to be in better shape for your trip this May. When I go swimming this summer I decided I no longer want to be the fat guy in the pool. I'm so sick of it. This summer is going to be completely different. I can really understand what your saying about self confidence and stuff. I am working on that as well

This time last year I was almost 250lbs. Now I am down a good 35-40lbs with a good deal of added muscle. Even though I'm not where I want to be, I am a lot closer than where I was compared to a year ago.

Hope to see you around on here,

Take Care,
Sam

That's the way!

So Far today I ate a small portioned amount of Oatmeal for breakfast and a banana. I've been slamming water like it's going out of style. I plan on walking around the block at work at lunchtime (i'm at work now) - and maybe eating another banana. For dinner I'll have a small portion of some kind of chicken I assume, and them go for my nightly walk which consists of leaving my house and walking to te traffic light at the end of my block and back. That equals around 2.2 miles.
Since Late last week I'm actually down from 241 to 236.5 - I don't know if my scale is lying, but i'll take it!

Never question the almighty scale.. unless it says you drop/gain 20lbs in a week.. then replace the bugger.

Good on ya for the copious water intake! I find that if i drink too much water (or the water i end up drinking has a taste that is unpleasing) i like to mix in some Crystal Lite (about 1/4th the recommended amount - just for some flavor).


Keep up the good work!