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!

I think that losing weight is taking over my life.  It's all I think about.  I'm okay food wise, I've changed my eating habits drastically to the point that even when I'm not exercising, I'm losing inches, and eating "right" has become a way of life, with an occasional splurge every other week or so (a fancy meal out). 

But, I'm obsessing about how much I'm losing in terms of non-food things.  I'm thinking about how fast I'm losing, how I can lose faster, how much I should work out, making sure I don't kill my muscles (I have shin splints), figuring out how far I can push myself without injuring myself, clothes, boys, fitting in "life stuff" I want to do (even like taking horseback riding, painting, ceramics classes) with the ones that are more "appropriate" in my mind b/c they'll help me to lose weight faster -- i.e., dance, tennis, etc.

those shin splints are a sign. you are definitely pushing it a little hard. what's the rush? you didn't put on the weight quickly, so don't hurt yourself trying to take it off quickly. but i do know how it can feel like this is taking over  your life. it's like you spent so much of your life ignoring your body and your weight, and now it just feels like every  thought you have is about weight loss. i'm trying to distract myself every now and then from it, b/c it can be all-consuming.

 jeans: i went on my lunch break to try on some jeans. what a reality check. i can NOT fit the smaller size yet. duh. i mean, i can get some pairs up and close them, but they're so tight i couldn't move. so i went back to my current size jeans and they slid on fine, so i bought the bigger size, grudgingly.

it's amazing how 12 lbs makes such a difference in clothes. i hope the next size down will fit in 12 lbs. i'll let you guys know.

feddiechick: Yes the bigger you are sometimes you lose weight faster at first. I started at 360 pounds I am now at 295! It took me just 4 months to lose 63 pounds. I started this new lifestlye on Sept. 24th, 2007. I am now down 65 pounds I have started to slow down a little, but I am now smaller and need to step up my exercise to lose more. I did it all the healthy way!

I JUST ATE CRAP.

We had our lunch meeting and I ate a cup of fried rice with shrimp, another 1.5 cups of just plain shrimp with broccoli and then about 4 pieces of beef and 2 of chicken (without the saucy stuff but still) (By pieces, I mean those little one-two biter sizes, not bigggg pieces).  It didn't seem so bad at the time -- lots of protein.  Now I feel awful.  I'm full and my body feels yucky -- the way I always feel when I'm not eating healthy lean meats, whole grains, fruits, veggies.  YUCK.

Hi everyone! 
watchmeshine, don't stress about what you've already eaten.  Stress will actually make you gain weight! (I read it somewhere, I think).  Everyone slips up and beating yourself up won't help at all, especially since you actually didn't eat super bad.  Probably there was a lot of salt in the food, and that's part of what's making you feel yucky.  Try drinking a lot of water for the rest of the day; that should help some. 

And I totally know what you mean about obsessing about losing weight.  That's exactly where I was until THE GUY came into my life like a week ago.  And last week was my first week with no loss at all.  Coincidence?  Probably not.  *sigh*  Why is it so hard to live life and lose weight at the same time? :-(

dalmalama, you'll fit into those jeans!  Just keep working at it, chica, and you'll be there in no time! :-)

sonini, the date was amazing!  Quite frankly, I'm used to guys who are losers and kind of treat me like crap.  THE GUY opened doors and called me beautiful and was a perfect gentleman all night long ('til he kissed me goodnight!), but at the same time I'm relaxed around him and he makes me laugh.  I have to keep reminding myself that I haven't known him that long and I need to not let myself get carried away, but it's kinda tough! I'm actually seeing him tonight... *le sigh* :-)

Welcome everyone new!  Glad to see you here! :-)

Hello All,

Watchmeshine, tomorrow is a new day!  We all go off "track" once in a while do not feel guilty or bad about yourself!! Always remember you are human and today's choices do not reflect your daily choices anylonger!! Take it easy on yourself!!

Dalmalama......you are right 12 lbs make a big difference especially in clothes!! I just dropped myself to a size 24 in jeans but it took at least 20 lbs for me! Don't worry another 12 more and you can go back and slip on the size you tried today!! Hey at least the size jeans you are in fit comfortably!! That always makes a difference!

 

 

Hi everyone,

Clothes- I have lost 13lbs and it is strange I really don't see a difference in me yet.  I am at 257.2 and still fit my 24's just fine.  I guess they feel a little better on me but I can't wait till I can get into the 22 I still have plenty of.  The good thing I can do with my bigger clothes that I haven't worn out completely (I am like dalmalama I wear my clothes especially jeans till they fall apart) My sister is bigger than me and is also losing weight so I can pass them on to her to save her money.

I started the day off really bad I have been struggling the last couple of days with eating right.  I stopped on the way to work and got burger king but I redeemed myself and ate really good for the rest of the day to stay within my goal for the day.  I am trying to get out of this funk I have been in and get back to 100% eating right. 

I hope you all have a wonderful night.

Evening Folks,

I too battle with those darn temptations like everyone else but one thing I have come to accept is we all are human and make some not so good choices once in a while...Sometimes when I "fall" off the wagon and eat something I know I do not need but WANT I remind myself afterwards that I can always work out harder or the next few days redeem myself....The worse thing you can do is become down and hard on yourself because that just sets that wicked pattern again of eating badly then beating yourself up and then wanting to eat worse since you already ate poorly....vicious cycle is all it is...and it does take time to break...and baby steps..so you ate something bad today well it's not the end of the world as we know it .....one day that little devil on your shoulder will be gone! Stay positive and love yourself!

Hey girls. Sorry I haven't been around in a few days. It's the end of the term at my school, so I'm really busy with class and homework. We have finals next week. I'm also really stressed out about my job (or lack-there-of). I am currently working about 8 hours a week, but my boss is not a good businessman and I'm just getting tired of dealing with it. I've been looking for another job for about 6 months now and I haven't been able to find one. I'm about ready to tear my hair out. When I'm this stressed out, I really have a hard time with my bulimia too. I want to go eat a bunch of junk food so badly right now, but I know it wouldn't actually help me. It's just so hard to break old habits.

Hi ladies,

I too feel the same way about jeans! lol--I just hate it! I have lots some weight where my pants are super super baggy size 18 but yet the 16 is still too tight--very very aggravating! Don't you just wish it just all magically went down! uh, our day will come ladies! Keep up the good work. Allydan--I must admit you got me wanting to know what happened on your date--this is better than tv--I hope you share!

I just wanted to mention something really quick. Today is my birthday. I turned 24 today and I have to say that this is the healthiest that I have been in my entire life. I also have to say that each year before my birthday would come that I would say "o' I'm going to lose 20,30,40 pounds by this birthday." But I never would, I always failed at it and if anything I gained more weight -----but this year I told myself that I was going to be the healthiest that I could and guess what? I accomplished this goal! I have been with CC for  5 months now and eating healthy every day---Here's to life and health ladies!

women's jeans are horrible!

and that's why I wear men's. They're the only thing that can vaguely fit my body type, or even if they don't fit my body type, I can be reletively comfortable wearing them. Even if I try to squeeze into a women's pair of jeans that's a size or two too big, I still have wedgies, camel toe, I can't sit down, or a plethora of other things.

All hail men's jeans!

oh, and happy happy birthday, Booster. ^_^

pinkcobra - Thank you for the support. =) Yes, we should always remember that we ourselves are our first priority. I sometimes forget. I feel low. I feel sad. Then I eat. I forget to love myself. I end up loving food more.

watchmeshine82 - OH YES! It is sooo hard to lose weight with having PCOS. I can eat like 1200 calories and be working out like crazy. But my weight won't go down. I would even change my routine at the gym but still no change. That's why I lose motivation to exercise. But we have to go on. So I try to take it a day at a time... =)

weight loss pace - wow 3-4 pounds a week. That's great at the beginning. I would worry about sagging skin too. But I think...there is no way around it...i think when I lose all the weight i want..i will have some sagging skin. =(

clothes - before when I lost some weight - I re-tailored my clothes. But what dalmalama said - my pants are starting to fray around the thigh area...so I would end up throwing my old clothes away.

ALLI - I have not tried it. But I tried Xenical way back. It was uncomfortable because I had to wear a pad all the time as the oil would (sorry if this is gross) just come out. =(

Getting off track - its ok. We will do better on our next meal. That's what I always tell myself. And I really  try hard to be good on my next meal. =)
dalmalama - I think the same way. I don't buy more clothes until I am at least 2 sizes down. Saves money and closet space. And you will eventually fit in those jeans. We all will. =)

jpetty - 1lb is 1lb like watchmeshine82 said. We can do it. =)

chelsealoney - I will be moving to Downtown, Vancouver. I will be staying with my sister. I  am always on the internet during the week so it is easy for me to log what I eat but during the weekend I get really lazy to open the computer.

pinkcobra - really metformin is helping??? Thank you for saying that...it has given me hope. =)

bootser1 - hi! welcome. =)  and Happy Birthday!!!!

Karate-chick - WOW! Thats wonderful! =)

msjez135 - congrats on the 9 pounds. =)

mhartwig3 - great to have you here.

Congratulations Booster!! It's mine too on Saturday, I'll be 27!  I used to say every year too that by next birthday I want to be thin or thinner!! So far it hasn't happened, but this year I'll be 60 lbs lighter which is defiantely a great birthday gift to myself. 

I have struggled a little with the 40 - 60 loss it took over 3 hard months to loose those 20 lbs, hopefully things will be less of a struggle in the coming months, that would be an even better birthday present to myself!

Happy Belated Birthday Booster1 : 0 )   and thanks for the welcome Mikapu and Dalmalama!!! About PCOS I also have the frustrating disease and Metformin is definitely helping as well!!  It also helps with the Diabetes type 2 as well that I have associated with the PCOS....Before I was VERY irregular and the hair on top of my hair was really thinning!! Also if you do have PCOS per my Doc they recommend as well to be on birth control along with the Metformin to help regulate and help with the hormone levels especially with the testosterone  levels... Well my fellow ladies I hope you all have a great day today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Keep fighting the good fight!!

what is PCOS?

dalmalama, i was thinking about your question "what's the rush" and realized yes, i'm mad at myself for not focusing on my weight and body and taking care of myself for all these years.  i also realize that i use my weight as a security blanket for putting myself out there.  "no, no one will like me cuz i'm fat."  that being said, i've never been asked out on a date.  hence, i don't feel beautiful or desired.  i guess i just don't want to spend the rest of my 20s (i turned 26 on feb 12th) feeling that way. 

i'm trying to focus on the positives, and realized i'm NOT on a diet right now and that for the first time my whole life, i've realized that for the past 1.5 years (since I lost the 50+ pounds), i haven't felt like i'm on a diet -- and i don't plan on ever going on one ever again.  i've been really devoted to my nutrition and haven't had urges for fast food or dessert when i go out in over a year.  desserts wise, i'll treat myself about once a month to a slice of cake (without the frosting, unless it's chocolate!! :)) but that's about it.  if there's a cookie tray in our once weekly meetings, i'll have half a cookie too if i feel like it but then half the time i think "that's one work out right there.  it's SO not worth it."  i've learned that sometimes i just want one bite to have the taste of the food item and i'm satisfied.  or, if i'm craving mexican food, for instance, i get pico de gallo, salsa, guacamole, low fat sour cream, whole grain tortillas, grilled chicken, etc. and make myself a feast instead of going to chipotle.  really, when it comes down to things, because i bring all the food i will allow myself to eat for the day to work, i've managed to stay on track.  with PCOS, this is the way of life and i'm grateful to the nutritionist i've been seing who taught me that food can be plentiful and satisfying even while consuming a "low calorie" amount.  (i'm at 1700).

okay, so with all of those positives said, lemme speak to the negatives and why i'm still being "obsessive."  i did not grow up in a "fit" home.  my mom immigrated here in the late 70s from Pakistan and made my sister and i stay at home for most of the day.  girls just weren't allowed out in Pakistan and so letting us ride our bikes beyond 3 houses down was unfathomable for her.  the only type of fitness i got was swimming lessons twice a week.  hence, i was always the chubby kid.  i didn't really like myself growing up and felt ugly so i would eat more for comfort.  i think i've reversed and unloaded a lot of the eating baggage and have made strives but getting out of the sedentary lifestyle (especially as a young lawyer with limited time) is my biggest challenge.  i constantly feel like "i don't want to be here" sitting at my desk at work.  i'm not billing the number of hours i'm supposed to in a day (9) but instead am only billing about 5.  my every thought is focused on "i'd rather be working out, going for a walk, dancing, swimming..." basically ANYTHING but here. 

also, with PCOS, i've noticed that the weight creeps off sooooooooo slowly with just nutrition.  where as when i work out, i can easily drop 3-4 pounds.  my metabolism just gets THAT revved up.  i did ease up when i got shin splints (took 10 days off since i was also on vacation!) and i have been going slower but for longer durations (i.e. 1.5 hours) on the elliptical if i start feeling like i might be getting sore.  like i said though, fitness is NOT yet a part of my life like eating right has become in the past 1.5 years.  i really need to work on it and i'm not sure what to do.  i'm signing up for dance classes -- just got a 2 month pass for $275 to take upto 10 classes a week.  i'm thinking of buying a bike to bike along lake michigan.  my friend is moving to the city (from the burbs) and is big on tennis and although i haven't played in 10 years, she said she could show me again and/or we would just hit the ball back and forth for fun .  i'm taking horseback riding.  right now, i do the elliptical 4-5x a week and swim 1-2x a week.  that's about it.  i guess when i find things that are "fun" it will hopefully be something i WANT to do.

Hi, I'm new here. I'm 22 and "slightly overweight" I don't need to lose 100 pounds but I want to lose about 25-30. My friends aren't willing to exercise/eat right with me. But, I need some motivation to get back on the right track. I figure joining something like this will help a lot.

Congrats to everyone that has been making progress! Again reading everyones post and relating is the only thing keeping me sane right now!!! I also tend to go on that roller coaster ride of eating badly one day and then beating my self up about it which inevitably leads to me eating more junk. I don't know if I mentioned it before but I am such an emotional eater!!!

Speaking of which, ughh why are husbands so dumb??  Can y'all believe that when I tried to make a healthy dinner last night instead of supporting me and just eating it my husband acted like a 5 year old and went and got some fast food. I was so mad I wanted to cry and just throw a plate of broccoli Normandy at him. I guess I shouldn't be mad since he is not trying to loose weight he is free to eat whatever he wants, but it just makes me so angry that I can't count on him to be like my "coach". One of my best friends is always telling me that I should be glad that my husband likes me "chunky" since her boyfriend does not hesitate to tell her he would feel less attracted to her if she gained weight (she is like a size 8!!!) but it's not about him. I want to be healthier and what I am most looking forward to is being able to walk up a flight of stairs w/o loosing my breath! Granted, shopping for smaller, sexier clothes will be a big plus but it's so not just about that. Tonight when I get home from work I am going to cook an xtra healthy dinner , if he wants to act like a 3 year old what ever. Haha I am probably going to just make 2 different things, I am so not about conflict.

 Anyway , thanks for giving me a place to vent I hope everyone has an awesome weekend. ; )