Girls in their 20's who want to lose about 100 pounds

Hi, my name is Suzanne and I am 23 years old. I weigh 258.3 pounds(yikes) and would really like to get down to between 140 and 150. I was wondering if there was anyone else out there in their 20's who has about that much they want to lose. We could work together and stay motivated to reach our goals!!! Also, if there is anyone in their 20's who has lost that much and wants to share their success story, I would love to hear it! Thanks!

Hey! So I don't really fit your criteria...I am only 17...but I read these-I guess you could say-testimonials and they are inspiring. I weigh 225. I am 5'7. My doctor said I should get down to about 150. It's not just that I need to lose weight...I got so discouraged in 2007. I lost 40 pounds on diet pills in 2006. In 2007 I gained it all back plus 5. I just want to have that confidence that I had when I was 170. I got down to a size 10 in skirts! It felt amazing. Then, since I did it on pills, I gained it all back. It is encouraging to see women like yourselves who are losing all this weight the healthy way! It lets me know I can do it too! Thank you all so much and good luck to you all as well. By the way, how much are you all exercising and what are yall doing when you do?

is anyone journaling what they eat each day?  i just started weight watchers, and am doing the points program, but am also curious as to the calories i'm consuming.  i'm wondering if keeping a journal would help! 

keeping track of what all i have eaten and how many calories definitly helps me not snack so much!

sonini, I totally feel you there.  That is a completely unhealthy (and SCARY) way to live your life.  I love that you love yourself for how you are!  The great thing is that we know what it is like to be overweight, which means that we will appreciate health over numbers on a scale.

Hey All,

I'm so happy I found this thread! I'm 23, 5'4.5" and currently weigh 188, but started my journey at 217 (when I finally got weighed...I think I had gotten up to 220ish) this past summer. I didn't really do much at first just diet changes.  I just wasn't dedicated and hadn't made the resolve in my heart so the weight came off very slowly, but I hit a wall in December and really started working on it. I lost 11.5 pounds in January! I'm just finishing up with Aunt Flo's visit during which I gained a lovely 5 pounds, and it's finally almost all gone...lol. Gotta love how you gain a couple extra pounds and a whole pant size for a couple of weeks!!!! I'd really like to lose 8-10 pounds a month, though I know some months may not reach that. My goal weight is 135, but ultimately, I just want to be really healthy! I'm looking forward to getting to know you all!

Hi everyone.

This is my 2nd post. I really love this thread. Everyone is very nice and people here do support each other. That's fantastic.

I have been tired lately. I know I lack sleep but there is so much things to do. Now what I hate is that I crave carbohydrates like crazy this time. And in my head its like I give myself permission to eat because I lack sleep. Sounds weird?

Ohhhh...its so frustrating to convince your mind. It may sound stupid. But I am going through this mental debate with myself.

And I have not been to the gym this whole week. I rather sleep. Argh! What is wrong with me? I want to lose weight! I have to lose weight. It is frustrating. =(

Any ideas how I can get through this?

I am such an emotional eater and having PCO is no helping. I know I have to be on a low-carbo diet. But I love carbo and my cravings are crazy. =(

 

Hey Mikapu!  Don't worry, I think everyone has those debates with themselves.  Any time I start not wanting to work out I let myself wallow in it for a few minutes then I force my butt on the treadmill or bike or whatever and then I kick my own ass- which means going longer/harder/faster than before.  It always feels great to have won for the day.  But it's not easy.  I have a mental picture of what I want to look like- thanks to MVM- and I keep that image in my head.  Every time I want to quit I look at that image and I keep going towards it.  Just remember to tell yourself that you're important enough to be your number one priority!  That you deserve to be healthy!  And as for carbs, I ate 3 breadsticks at olive garden yesterday...but I worked them into my calories and didn't feel too horribly guilty.  (ok wasting 420 cals on breadsticks wasn't that great....lol...but they tasted soooooo good!)  Good luck!

Happy Valentines Day!

Sorry It has been a couple of days since I have posted. It's been an all out bad week for me. Well, I guess almost all bad. On Monday, I was so ticked off at work....there were issues with the vacation schedule. I get two weeks, and so do most other's there, so it goes by seniority (how long you have been there) My husband and I are planning a trip to the Caribbean this year and we were either going to go for my birthday the week of May 20th, or our anniversary, the week of October 7th. Well, everyone here knew that. So the witch above me, for her first week picked the week of my birthday. Ok that settles it, right? We will go for our anniversary in October. NO. For her second week, she picked the week of my anniversary! She is just doing it to be spiteful, and I know I shouldn't let it get me so much, but I am fuming mad! To top it off, two people can't be on vacation at the same time. Boo! I hate this place. Anyway, my seemingly pointless story has a point. I have been so ticked off about this that I have been eating just about everything that isn't chained down. So I weighed myself yesterday and I was at 258, almost three pounds heavier than Sat. I am so bummed. Oh, and on Monday, I mentioned that I was losing weight to a friend of mine, who is also trying to lose weight who comes into the bank. After my friend left, the girls here said "yeah right Suzanne, you are always saying you are going to lose weight and you never do." Thanks for the moral boost girls! Really! I  mean it isn't hard enough without your criticism!

Well, my hubby and I went out to Olive Garden last night to celebrate Valentine's before the mad rush, and it was really lovely. But then shortly after we came home, I was sick to my stomach, and I am still sick today. Boo. I hate being sick. Maybe it will counter the weight I gained though. Oh to top it off, I came to work today, even though I feel like absolute garbage, and my boss is being such a witch to me, like I am faking being sick or something! It's not like I am moaning and groaning (well, on here I kinda am and I am sorry) It's just that I need to use the bathroom a little more frequently.

Anyhow, it is Valentines day and I am determined to not be grumpy, so I just had to vent.

I want to welcome all of the new members to our group, and congratulate anyone who had a loss this week! Way to go!

Oh, and some of you girls were discussing weight numbers and image (allydan, I think it was you that made the comment that 140-150 still seems like a lot to you). I figure at 140 I should fit in a juniors size 9, a dress size 8. So those are the only numbers I am going to concentrate on, instead of saying oh, I weigh this much. Because I too have T & A and I don't want to be a bone structure. I want to stay a little on the curvy side, and if you can't see all the bones in my body, that's fine with me. Who knows, I may feel comfortable in those sizes at a slightly higher weigh, but I think I do have to get to 140 for them to fit me properly. Image says a lot, and I think if I feel confident with that image, the actual amount of my weight won't seem to bad to me. Hopefully.

Anyhow, I hope everyone has a great valentines day, and I want to thank all of you for creating a space where I could vent.  Again, welcome to all of our new voices and (cheese alert) I hope you find the support you need here, I know I have.

 

ennazus520 (Suzanne) I had the same situation happen to me at work.  I have been working at my job for almost 8 yrs and my friend Char and I started on the same day and have been friends ever since.  Well (this is sad I remember the date) on January 11th I didn't bring my lunch and we usually eat lunch together.  I went to Char's desk in the morning and told her if she wanted to go somewhere for lunch let me know because I didn't have mine and I was going to go get something.  Char said well why don't you eat something small for lunch that way you don't have to go out.  I said I am a big girl I need to eat a normal lunch. She said aren't you on Weight Watchers (I was starting WW on Jan 12th) I told her I was going to be on it when I came back on Monday and she said "haven't you going to be on for the past 6 months well 6 yrs".  I got a call right then so I walked away. Later she was talking to another coworker by my desk and said to were I could hear it that "Jessica was mad at me" I turned around and told her that I wasn't mad my feelings were just a little hurt.  Any way to make a long story a little less short she apologized and I told her the truth hurts. I made a choice that day not to talk about me trying to lose weight just let people see the difference in me because that comment ruined my day. Anyway point to that story don't let people get you down, you know you are trying and that should make you feel good.

 

Hi ladies!  I hope everyone's doing well today!


ennazus520 (Suzanne) when I read that, my jaw just dropped.  That is just SO rude.  That's not the way to encourage someone at all!  And I'm sorry about your vacation!  If it makes you feel better, I truly believe in karma, so I'm sure whenever that chick goes on vacation, she'll have a horrible time and maybe get some awful stomach virus and end up staying in her hotel room the whole time, just sitting on the toilet!  Try and stay positive, chica, the week's almost over, and a long weekend is coming!  Yay!  It's a perfect time to regroup and let all the bad juju from the week fade away!


jpetty5 (Jessica) I have to say you totally handled that situation way better than I would have...  I'm glad she apologized, but what an awful thing to say/attitude to have towards a friend!  You know, that's one of the reasons I look forward to being thin: I think people treat you with less respect when you're a big woman.  I don't know if it's true or not, but it feels like it!  I think we all have stories of awful things that people have said to us, but it sucks even more 'cuz this came from one of your friends.  Keep up the good attitude, though!


Welcome to all the newcomers!  I'm glad you found us! :-) 

allydan,  Thanks for being so kind, and I totally agree with you I think overweight people get treated with less respect especially woman. 

ennazus (suzanne)  Sorry to go off on a story about me your story just brought that moment right back to me, I am sorry that someone treated you like that.  I am also very sorry about that other person taking your vacation weeks. That sucks and I hope she realizes what a jerk she is being.

***You know, that's one of the reasons I look forward to being thin: I think people treat you with less respect when you're a big woman***

 I totally agree.  I've been the skinny chick before and its so much easier. 

enna---that totally sucks.  I hope that she has a crappy vaca too.  She stinks.

jpetty---sometimes people are cruel and don't even realize it.  I think that maybe they have their own character flaws that they need to deal with. 

Ladies, the flu is going around and I contracted it.  I am clearing up now but was miserable Sat-wednesday.  I hated it.  I didn't eat healthy when I ate and didn't eat what I should have been eating.  I ate whatever hubby brought home (cheeseburgers and fries).  I don't guess it helps that I am PMS'n somethin fierce and crave sweet and carb rich foods.  I got back on track with exercising today and eating right.  I'll be just under my calorie goal of 1,400 for the day.

I hope the rest of you are doing well.

Happy Friday Ladies!

Good Morning Girls! Happy Friday!

jpetty5 (Jessica)- Thank you for your encouragement. I think I will do what you are doing and not mention my efforts at work. You don't need to apologize for telling your story about your friend. Even though it really sucks that she did that to you, it makes it easier to know there is someone who understands what I am going through. Although it is worse for you because she is supposed to be a friend. Well, you will show her! Just wait until she has to eat her words because you do become slimmer!

allydan: Thanks for your support as well. The kicker of the vacation issue? She hasn't even booked anything yet! Nor has she considered where she would go! Unlike me with itineraries and prices for those two weeks. Maybe she won't even be able to find something she can afford and wants to do! That would be good karma.  I vented and I guess I am over it. Yay for the long weekend! I am so relieved! I am going shopping on Monday. Retail therapy is usually good! Your so upbeat allydan. I just adore you!

And as for the being thin and getting more respect, I think that's probably true, and we will get more respect when we are thin. However, I can tell you one thing, I will never be able to respect the people who respected me less just because I am fat.

Anyhoo, to end this with a fun, sarcastic comment, my dad used to have a t-shirt that said "I may be drunk, but you're ugly. Tomorrow I'll be sober." I remember him telling me to say that to a girl once after she called me fat, only saying "I may be fat, but you're ugly. I can always lose weight." And to be honest, these people who don't respect heavier women based on weight alone are ugly, even if it doesn't show on the outside.

FITNESS question...

 

what are people doing to keep fit?  I swim 1-2 times a week (maybe I should increase this?  we have an indoor pool in my apartment building) and work out on the elliptical 3-5 times a week but am getting a bit bored of the latter since I've been doing it (off-and-on, admittedly!) for 1.5 years now (have been losing VERY gradually... 50 pounds in total).  Also think I need some new ipod music!

Now that I've joined weight watchers, I'm hoping to ramp up the weight loss and have started doing the elliptical like a fiend but was looking for other suggestions.

 I'd like to take horseback riding even though the initial few lessons won't use many calories up since it will be highly instructional (you only burn a lot when you're trotting or more) and I'm also thinking of signing up for dance classes (salsa, latin, ballroom, hip hop).  anything else people have enjoyed?

Ooooh, I ate poorly yesterday, and it wasn't even because my husband took me out, cause he didn't!  I ate about 1650 cals in one sitting.   I'm not usually a binger, but I used to be an over-eater.  I went to my favorite asian cafe with my friend and had a special drink with tapioca pearls, rice & minced pork, some veggies, a soy egg, and fried tempura fish.  It was all very yummy but I felt uneasy and just rotten afterwards.  Luckily it filled me up so much that I didn't have any desire to eat dinner when the usual time came around, and for breakfast I had only eaten some mango and a fiber one bar.  This is the first B+ I've ever reported since starting.

Ok, so why did I eat so much?  Well it was a tough day.  I was completing a farewell letter to my grandpa who was dying of cancer, and while writing I got a call from my mom saying that he passed.  I am such a procrastinator, and I feel horrible for not sending my thoughts to him, and words of support to my grandma, sooner.  To top it all off, yesterday was the remeberance of my grandmother (from the other side of the family) dying.  How strange that these two deaths are so near in the calendar month.  So yesterday, I took 20 minutes to write a letter to my grandma, enclosed the 2 attempts that I was going to send to my grandpa, and mailed them out express so she can read them within the next day.

Today I am going to drink extra water and eat within my calorie range along with exerercise.  I will not have another unhealthy day to keep me from my goal.

mladdy, I am so sorry for the loss of your grandpa. I know there is really nothing I can say that will help, but I hope you know you have friends here if you need to lean on someone. Also, I know it isn't the same, but after my dad died, my mom had us send balloons to heaven with a few things we wanted to say to him written on it. It helped my brother and I a lot, because we felt that he would know what out ballons said. I am proud of you for being so determined to make sure you still stick to your goals even through your loss, and you should be proud too.

 

watchmeshine82, you look just like my cousin Elizabeth. You could be her twin. Maybe you are my cousin Elizabeth? Anyhow, I am jealous of your apartment complex's indoor pool. I read that you can burn over 400 calories and hour swimming, so I would think upping your pool time would be good. Also you should try dance classes, they are a lot of fun and I wish there was someplace (affordable) in my area so I could go try them out. OH and boxing...when I was in better shape, I used to go boxing all the time with my friend, and that is a ton of fun! 

Happy Friday, ladies!

maggiepop - I'm sorry you had the flu!  I wouldn't worry too much about the way you ate... It's nearly impossible to care about anything but how miserable you are when you're sick.  Way to get right back on track now that you're feeling better! 

ennazus520 (Suzanne) - Retail therapy rocks!  And trying on clothes and realizing that you probably should get a smaller size since your normal size is really kinda baggy rocks even more!  I adore you too, btw! I'm so glad you started this thread! :-)

watchmeshine82 - I think so long as you're doing things you enjoy regularly, and switching things up, you'll be fine.  Remember, your body starts to adjust to excersize after awhile; it gets more efficient at it. So if you do the elliptical everyday at the same pace and resistence, while you might have burned 350 calories in 30 minutes when you started, you could be down to burning only 300 a month later.  Sometimes I'll do a random class at my gym just to try new things and keep my body guessing, and I've just tried my first Pilates DVD, which is... interesting.  I'm still on the fence about it, but it's nice to do something new!  And I've heard people get good results from it.  I'd recommend getting one with levels of difficulty so that you can start easy; I've heard some "I jumped in too fast!" horror stories.  Good luck!

Mladdy - I'm so, so sorry you're going through such a tough time.  I'm sure your grandma will appreciate the letters, and I'm sure your grandpa is watching over you, so try not to beat yourself up about not sending them sooner.  I really admire your strength... I'm not sure I'd be able to keep my head on straight, let alone keep my resolve about eating right and exersizing in the same situation.  You are so totally fabulous, chica!  

Well, I hope everybody has a wonderful weekend!  I'm totally psyched 'cuz I have a date tonight!  I never have dates!  Like ever!  Like I think this might just be my first real date ever!  (I've done that lame sort of, "well I'm gonna be there, so you can be there too, if you want" thing but never a "I'm picking you up and taking you out" thing.) And he's taking me somewhere where we had to have reservations so I'm completely nervous!  And I have to find something to wear because the skirt I wanted to wear is too big and falling off me now... Good and bad at the same time I guess.  So I've go exactly three hours after I get off work to run to the mall, find something to wear, run back home, and make myself pretty!  Wish me luck, girls! :-)

Ok, I just wrote a whole note and when I went to post it, it disappeared. Boo. I don't have time to rewrite it, but I hope you all have a great weekend and I'll be back alter :)

suzanne, i'm definitely not your cousin, haha!  i'm pakistani/kashmiri (south asian) so that's funny that she looks like me... i'm 26 years old and currently at 277 lbs and would LOVE a buddy to write back and forth to on this about everything... have made a few friends so far but i really do need a handful of people to consistently write to... feel free to contact me!  we have similar goals.  my ultimate goal is 135-140 but i will be happy at whatever a size 14 is.  i've lost 50 pounds very slowly over the last year and a half but i'm also a second year lawyer so i work crazy hours some months and get no sleep and then have other months where i have tons of spare time!