400 club?

No, that's not a typo!  I'm serious.

I'm new to CC.com and so far all the boards I see are for 100-whatever clubs, etc.  I feel like I'm I the only one around here trying TO LOSE 150 pounds or more.  Anyone else in that boat?

Thanks!

welcome ezinger :)  you're in good company here with lots of us working to lose 100 lbs or more...

carmenxox ~ weight gain is a complex issue and occurs for many reasons....  including both addictions to foods, bad eating patterns, sometimes medical reasons or drugs that cause people to gain excess weight, and most people simply put on 1 - 10 lbs a year as they get older and their metabolism begins to slow...

losing weight and keeping it off is NOT as simple as just saying "i'm going to lose weight now and keep it off"  ~ if anyone could tell the world how to really do that in a simple, easy way (like a magic pill or by saying a few words) and it worked for everyone... well they would be very rich...

losing weight, especially large amounts, takes a long time and includes changes in both the way we eat and the way we think.

these forums are a gr8 place to share information, ideas, encouragement, support, laughters and tears...  and it's better if we focus on the positive

~ everyone is welcome to share and post here...

you can be addicted to anything.

addiction isn't just about a physical dependency, in many cases, it is about a MENTAL dependency.  Some people were raised from childhood to view food as the cure to whatever made you sad, angry, happy or whatever.  I personally had food thrown at me whenever I was upset, it is an easy way of getting a child to "feel better."  By the time you are an adult, you have formed these bad habits which are as difficult to change as any other addiction.

Also, the body CAN be addicted to sugar, and this has been proven, just ask anyone who's gone on a low-carb diet.  I'd say 98% of people who go on a low carb diet experience withdrawal symptoms, like they're drug addicts or something (I have experienced this!)

Not to mention, when you are accustomed to eating a certain amount, and you cut the calories to lose weight, you actually experience HUNGER.  Not just the desire to snack, but actual hunger, which is a painful, frustrating, distressing thing.

So hopefully that answers some things for you.  It isn't "just food."  Just like it isn't "just alcohol" to some people, or "just painkillers", or "just the internet" or whatever.  In a world with billions of different people, there are different trials and problems and experiences behind each face, and each one is valid. 

And if a person is trying to change for the better, each one deserves tolerance, respect, and support, even if you've never experienced it or can't understand it.

So very well said ^^

Ezinger, welcome! 

Please Please PLEASE be assured that this website is made up of people like you and I.... people who are looking for support and comfort.  Thats why we are all here!!! 

So again, welcome to C-C.....  I hope everything works out for you and for all the other individuals who log on here!!!!!

A note to all:  I think that we should all just stop, breath, and stop judging eachother!  It doesn't matter if its over-eating or under-eating..... lets just be supportive, and compassionate and exhibit some humility.  We're all people, we all have problems, and we should be able to speak comfortably here.  We shouldn't offend one another;  we should listen to one another.

ezinger

Ignore anyone who is not motivating you.

You can accomplish your goals!  All it takes is to take the first step and tackle it a little bit at a time.  There are a lot of people here who are really trying to lose the weight and get healthy.  You are doing the right thing.

My wife an I have been using this site for about a month.  I have lost 15 lbs and my wife has lost 9.  You can accomplish your goals.

Good luck!

This thread was reported, has been reviewed by the volunteer moderators, and a couple posts were deleted. 

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We truly appreciate your cooporation and ask that you respect the posting guidelines so people can post without fear of being bashed, ridiculed or flamed for posting their point of view, thought or idea...  Please, NO PERSONAL ATTACKS!

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ezinger25--I wish you the VERY best on your journey to lose weight.  When I decided to REALLY lose weight I weighed in at 441lbs.  I had already lost some weight by then and I'm sure I was well over 450 at some point in time.  That was in May 2006.  Today, I'm down to 265lbs so I've lost at least 176 countable lbs.  It can be done with effort and motivation and you will feel so much better it'll make you want to keep going.  I still want to lose at least 50 more and then see what happens from there.  Diet, exercise, and committment will get you to your goal.  Stick to it and good luck!