5' 3" and 179 pounds.

Is anyone in this range or used to be in this range.  I am looking for people who I can track progress with and get motivated.  I love it when I see pictures of people who have been successful, that is the best motivation!

Hi Jen, this is my first post and I am new here but let me tell you you can succeed at permanent weight loss. 

I started 6 years ago at over 300 lbs.  I currently weigh 155, trying to reach my goal of 135.  I counted calories & fat grams along with exercise to lose 100 lbs and lost another 45 lbs with weight watchers.   

I don't have a before picture currently on my computer but I would love to have a friend to help keep me motivated and vice versa!

Oh that is great.  Congrats on your weight loss!  I don't have photos yet, but I'll get them up soon.  I'll add you as a friend and we can keep each other straight. :)  My goal is 118 and I am currently at 179.  Blah!  I always thought oh it's too much trouble to count calories, but I guess you have to in order to do the math of weight loss.  Keep me updated on you!   

hey guys.. and welcome!  i don't fit in the stats you said except i'm 5'3" but wanted to say to phedre.. i'm glad you're here and would love to hear more about you.. i started at 324 pounds and sometimes get frustrated because there are so few people in this world who have been successful losing that much weight.. :) 

counting calories is the only way to go.. because you can do this for the rest of your life, unlike fad diets!  :) 

oh and i have tons of pics in my profile.. sort of motivating but i still have a really far way to go.. :)  (i've lost 63.5 pounds)

I'll try to find some pics too, although it's painful to see what I looked like then!

After spending 26 years of my life obese (I'm 32) counting calories and exercise were the only things that have worked for me.  That and a lot of patience and determination!  : )

Dena!  You are awesome!  YOU CAN DO IT GIRL!

It's a constant battle, and we all have to support each other.  There are still days when I just want to darn it have a slice of pizza!

thanks phedre.. you don't have pizza?  i just had low fat pizza for lunch!  it's my weakness so i still have a good for me version.. :) but i always liked all the veggies on pizza.. never really into the full fatty meat ones.. hehehe.. :)  had 2 good size slices for 350 calories.. which is only 50 calories higher for lunch than i usually like.. but i missed my morning snack.. :)  

no I do have pizza, but just not the way I used to!  I either have a Healthy Choice French Bread pizza or make my own little english muffin pizzas - split english muffin in two and use 1 - 2 T of pizza sauce.  I either use low fat or ff cheese or sometimes no cheese at all.

It's just not the same as a double cheese double pepperoni deep dish pizza. 

I'm having one of those days where I get a little resentful about not being able to eat whatever I want.  I get tired of having to constantly think about the food I eat!  Sometimes I just want to stomp my foot and shout at skinny people "It's not fair"!

Hee hee, sorry had to vent.   : )  Thanks for listening.

yeah.. i hear you on that.. :)   and don't worry about venting.. i do it all the time.. ehhe

im not in that range, but we are all here to help you. the people here are really great at being so suportive.

I wish you luck with whatever you decide to do.

well done to phedre, you show some true strenth and determination there (hugs)

obsidyan pizza ! *drools*

much love K xxxx

Thanks gals, it really helps to know there are others that understand!  Sometimes I just feel so alone in this fight.  It's been a long, difficult process but I'm sticking to it. 

hehe.. that's what is great about this site.. it makes you realize that you aren't alone!  :)   i saw in your profile that you're from Iowa?  which part? :)  (you don't have to answer i'm just nosy) i'm in northern illinois!  :)  chicago suburbs.. :)  

We live on a farm outside of Winterset (Bridges of Madison County).  I commute to Des Moines every day for work.  We visit Chicago often for weekend trips...love love love Chicago!

you probably go right by where i live.. do you take 88 into chicago?    and i love chicago too.. best city ever!  :)

Yep, we always take 88!  The last two years we have been in Chicago over Memorial weekend for Cubs games.  We just went in February to take my stepdaughter to a dance competition. 

Last year we stayed at Le Meridian downtown.  It was awesome!

Don't shout at the skinny people :(  It's just another form of weight prejudice.  Just as you can't tell fat people they're lazy slobs (they may have a thyroid problem and/or already have lost 65 pounds, right?) you can't just imagine that skinny people chow down on 'za and are metabolically gifted (they may have lost a lot of weight to get where they are and be struggling to maintain, and/or they can still have body image problems, right?)

my 2 cents for today...

phedre- too cool!!!  i live 4 miles from the entrance to 88!  my hubby has all his puters downtown in a data center so we go in there quite often.. he has to fix something so i go with and we do something afterwards.. :)   i love it down there. especially now that the weather is cooperating and being better! :)

saroful- did i miss something?  i don't think anyone was putting down skinny people.. just plain old jealousy!  :) 

I didn't mean to offend or put down anyone, it's just my frustration !

My apologies if I offended anyone....

phedra.. take a day and do that.. eat whatever you want!  One day does not set you back.  I do this EVERY week on Friday because that is the night that my boyfriend takes me out..  so I eat that cheesecake and the pizza, but ONLY on Friday! 

I am 5'3.  3 years ago I was 180.  I lost 30 pounds by starving myself...  that was not good I lost another 35 by doing the same... BAD BAD BAD.. Of course it came right back.. I weighed 151 at christmas.. I am now down to 131 but I look great and I am healthy!  I am hoping to loose about another 9 before my friends wedding in August...

Thanks Dove...that is a good idea.  I get burned out and when I deprive myself too much I end up going overboard : )

Keep up the great work, way to go on your loss!!!

jennip-  I am 5'3" and weigh 174. I started at 180 and have lost 6 since I found this site about a month ago. For a few weeks the scale hasn't been moving but the tape measure has so that helps me stay encouraged. We are also close to the same age. I was born in 1982. I would be happy to track progress with you if you are still looking for people.  Best of luck!!

phedre & obsidyan- had to add my 2 cents about chicago. I also love it! I live about 3 blocks from Wrigley Field--we can hear the games when they are going on! its pretty cool:) I am originally from North Dakota so being in the city is very different! It's great though.