So ready to start. I'm done with excuses.

[Angelfire]

I really hope this forum will help me. It feels nice to be able to get out what I'm too embarrassed to talk about with friends and family.

Hi all, my name is Angela. I'm 23 years old, 341 pounds. That's the first time I admitted my true weight to anyone. When I stepped on the scale and seen that I weigh more than my fiance (who is a big guy), I felt shame, embarrassment, and disgust. Well I'm not going to stay angry at myself, I'm going to love myself and change because I know I, and my body deserves better. I think I've been avoiding mirrors without clothes on. I took some pictures last night in just a bra and panties, and I honestly couldn't believe I let myself get this big. I've always been plus size, since a child, then I lost a lot of weight (not even trying) and for those 2 years I felt confident, and pretty. I met my fiance, we had a child together, and since then the pounds have just added on and on. I'm the biggest I've ever been.

Today I started a journal. I put down my weight and have been googling some healthy meal options and writing them in my journal as well. I'm tired of the excuses I give myself, the time is now. I'm ready to lose this weight. I want to be able to walk in any store and not have to wonder if they'll have my size. I want to be able to shop at the same stores as my girlfriends when picking out costumes for halloween. I want to be able to wear a bikini, or any bathing suit for that matter without feeling ashamed and embarrassed to be seen in it.

I also went through my cupboards and threw a lot of the junk away. I did keep some, but thats because they are snacks for my son. But I plan to also push healthier eating on him. Thank goodness he is average weight and likes his veggies. So technically tomorrow will mark day one. I am grocery shopping tonight (just made a list) and plan to hit the gym up tomorrow. Any suggestions and encouragement is very welcome and appreciated!

 

[Quercus]

Welcome and congratulations on starting your journey. Make a diary here and there are soem very nice folks to help out. I'm new here, but everyone has been great here so far. Keep in mind that it gets easier to eat right every day you do it. Good luck!

 

[shernanigans]

The first step is always the hardest and making right choices and doing the little things like what you did, clearing out the junk food out of your cupboards is one of the most important steps. Alot of people think that the first step is getting up and moving, doing exercise, getting out there, but it really starts at home, where you are to spend most of your time. And being around all that delicious food is very tempting. Im so proud of you! I know you will get to your goal! Good luck!!

 

[mrxian]

The biggest tip I can give is to not overdo it. You'll be dieting for the forseeable future, so don't start something you can't keep up.
I myself have been working on getting a better health for quite a few months, slowly building up an exercise regimen over quite a few months and dieting for a shorter period of time. Sometimes it's hard, sometimes it's really easy.
Oh, and do your research into what has a lot of calories. I've been learning more and more about that, and it's surprising how many calories some foodstuffs (like cheese or butter) have. I knew they would be high, but how high surprised me.

 

[PLB]

Welcome to the forum, Angela! I think that you've done some great things to get yourself started. The only red flag I see is that you've kept some food items in your cupboard that you acknowledge as being junk. My personal opinion is that if you avoid the junk, then you are being a great role model for your son. But, if you allow your son to eat junk, then you're not necessarily teaching him good long-term dietary habits. He might be average weight right now, but that is how everyone starts off, is it not? Also, having those items around is just temptation for you! Good luck to you, I'm looking forward to hearing about your progress!

 

[BellaTraveller]

Hello Angela,

Welcome on board. I just registered today so I'm a newcomer. I posted my story here in this category. I see we're almost the same age. I'm 24 years old.

You already did a great step with accepting there IS a problem and facing the scale. You have some guts to do that. Well done. The first step is the hardest, right?

If I were you, I'd do some mini-goals to aim. They keep you focused and give you an opportunity to embrace yourself for another goal achieved. I used to do that when I did this before and it worked great. Staying accountable is also a very important factor in my honest opinion. Hopefully, this Forum will help you with that.

I like how you put away most of the junk when you first posted here. Something that really worked for me when I did this before was dedicating part of the kitchen cupboard for myself so that if I had to have some junk for my boyfriend, then I wouldn't put it in "my" part of the cupboard so when I wanted a snack, I wouldn't see that junk staring back at me calling me to have a bite!

I like planning meals ahead - That way, you won't end up in a situation where you don't know what to eat and end up doing something quick and too high in calories.

Let's scare away these pounds!