Hi - new to board!

Hi! I am new to this site as of 4 days ago. I am 24, 5'5'', and 179 lbs. My goal weight is 125 lbs. I've lost 25 lbs since December, however I was starting to struggle with doing this in a healthy way recently, so I started trying to find ways to do it in a healthier manner. This is a bit long, so thank you to anyone who takes the time to read.

Because everyone would just love to read a back story, I'm sure haha, here it is. When I was 13 I had anorexia, and I was hospitalized for 3 months. I struggled with it off and on for a few more years. When I was almost 20, I developed PCOS, and it seemed to cause me to gain a lot of weight. I haven't really gained much weight since the age of 21, maybe a few pounds, but I was having an impossible time losing it also. The doctors had actually told me it was unlikely I was going to lose weight - something to do with insulin problems, however the medication to treat the insulin issues wasn't worth it, it made me terribly ill.

Well, over Christmas break, I was on vacation in Hawaii with my boyfriend, and a dog attacked me and removed parts of both of my lips. Needless to say, I wasn't eating much for a bit, strictly slimfast. I lost 5 lbs while there, and it kind of jump started me, and made me realize I am ready and able to lose this weight. I have still stuck to slimfast for breakfast, because for years I have only eaten dinner, and occasionally lunch, but it's been forcing me to eat breakfast. As for the dog thing, I had plastic surgery on the bottom lip, which looks normal now :) and am having more surgery next month on the top.

Well, back to the eating...I am finally trying to take charge, and lose this weight that's been keeping me down, and miserable. I am trying to aim for 1200 calories a day, which was hard at first, but it is getting easier. I was sticking to around 800 for the past couple of weeks. My boyfriend that I've been with for 5 years is very supportive, but is very concerned that I will fall back into old habits. If anyone has any advice on healthy ways to lose weight, or NOT fall back into bad habits, let me know :) I have been getting A's on here each day for eating, so I think I am eating ok now, but this is the first time I've ever attempted to lose weight without starving myself. I am really determined to do this the right way. If anyone has any healthy snack ideas, etc. let me know.

Well, that was quite long, I apologize. I look forward to meeting people on here who perhaps share similar problems or backgrounds. Thanks :)

I also am new to this sie. Awhole lot older than you!!!! But am losing weight the heathy way. I am or will b 54 the 29th of this month. I walk daily. A close to 3 1/2 miles in an hour. My aim is 5 miles per day. Its wonderful that your honey is there for you. Has to help. I was in Maui in August. My daughter and her then boyfriend flew over there to get married. 25 of us went. Well just wanted to welcome you and ths site has so much to offer you. Keep up the good work. Kathy

Hi Kathy,

Thanks :) Yeah, having my boyfriend is amazingly helpful, though he also worries about me which can be kind of stressful sometimes, and can be encouraging about eating bad foods because he does.

I am kind of afraid to go back to Hawaii after having been bit, but we are going back next April for his sister's wedding. I am staying away from large dogs while there!

Thanks again for your response :)

Hello and WELCOME :D

and don't forget, not all dogs are like that :)

Hehe thanks :) I actually have a little dog myself that we got in August, and we just love him to death. I have been going to the dog park with him trying to be around large dogs again. Little by little I think I will get there.

I am really hoping I can eat properly for the next surgery. After the first one I was hardly moving around and had to eat with pain medications and ended up gaining like 5 lbs back. That's like a huge concern of mine right now. I am thinking if I plan in advance this time it might go smoother.

Well, at least it's 5lbs and not 50 ;) I hope it all goes well! Oh i'm 19, 5'1", 178 :) 

Yeah, you would think the fact that I am having my face cut open would be more upsetting than gaining 5 lbs haha.

hehe ;) So, what are you into and all that jazz?

I love music, a lot lol. Almost all kinds, except for country and rap. I see a ridiculous amount of movies, even awful ones just because I love seeing movies hah. I read a lot of chick lit haha...and draw. I am going to school fulltime for accounting, so I am not working right now. Now that the sun is coming out, I am actually walking a lot because of my puppy, so that's a huge plus haha. This time last year, I can assure you, I was NOT walking daily lol. Here is a picture of him :D

Here

How about you?

He's a cute pup. I've got 2 :D (see my profile pics) I love music too, mainly rock/metal/punk/late 80's early 90's dance.. hehe. I too watch LOADS of films! I like taking photos. I'm a full time student too, of Psychology. Love it! Trying to find a summer job right now though... rather skint haha!!

Aww those are very cute dogs :) I would be terrified to go near them though haha. Getting over this whole fear is really becoming a process, but I pet the type of dog that bit me last week, so I was pleased with that.

I like pop/punk/triphop the most I suppose, but I really go through phases with music too. I am really loving Kill Hannah, the Kooks, Imogen Heap, and Snow Patrol right now.

Bit soft for me those hehe

My pups are soft as anything. The oldest (and biggest lol) was attacked last year by an alsation and normally i am scared of big dogs charging at me but i just flipped at seeing it hurtling towards my baby! So i stomped right to it shouting my head off and it ran away! People get scared of my dogs cause they are both of Staffordshire Bull Terrier origin (the youngest more so).

I guess you just need to find some calm dogs that would normally scare you and build up bit by bit :)

Aww that's scary! If a dog went after my dog, I think I would probably risk getting charged at. He's like our little baby lol. I think it's awesome your dogs are nice :) I think every breed can be great, but people are more afraid of some breeds than others, like rottweilers, etc.

I think being around calm dogs for me is key. My dog was a good start when I got back from vacation. He is a wimp haha. He's like the ultimate lap dog, but a complete whiner. I think most cavaliers are like that though haha, so sweet, but needy.

I was bit by a golden retriever, which is really odd, as most are quite nice family dogs, but I have bad luck I guess. Going to the off-leash park has been really great for me though. I was basically fearless before hand, so I am sure eventually I will get back to that point.

Good for you :) i dont let my dogs off the lead if anyone else is around. Only because they are very friendly and just run off to play with other dogs and people, which most people don't appreciate hehehe

People do generally give a wide birth when we go out walking. But i guess two panting staffs on metal leads can look menacing. But kids come up and stroke them and they are fine :) They even both come to bed with me

Aww that is so sweet :) It's always nice to meet other "dog people" lol. We let Bailey (our dog) sleep on our bed haha. We let him off of his leash, but he's not a very intimidating dog haha. The only time I get nervous is when other large dogs seem to be hassling him. He is a bit skiddish around other dogs, as we weren't able to have him around a lot of dogs early on because of the weather.

Both of ours were strays. Got Bobby from a rescue home and Ollie from a family who had him from a rescue home two months before. Think he was too much for them really. I've always loved dogs. I think a family is completed by a pet.

It's a good job we've got a king size bed really.. me, hubby and 2 dogs lol althought hubbys at work 5 nights so its normally just the 3 of us

Haha, that is so  nice :) Bailey was very hard to find, as cavaliers are pretty uncommon in our area. We drove 3 hours to get him. I was pretty set on that breed because I felt it would fit into our lives the best. I have a bit of anxiety when constantly home alone since my boyfriend works so many hours, so I wanted a dog that would be a nice companion. This is our first dog, and we are both just amazed by how much we love him, and how much he's added to our lives. We never really had any idea lol. That sounds cheesy, but you know what I mean?

Sure do :) we got bobby in 2005 and ollie just last week. couldnt be without either :)

Hi Jessieca!  Welcome to the site and welcome to healthy eating and healthy living.  There are a tonne of healthy snack ideas and meals in the recipe section on this website and lots of other cool tools and hints too.  I'm on the other side of the scale and have always been overweight so I'm not on the same page when it comes to anorexia etc, but there are several people on here who have been through similar health and eating issues like you and we're all a supportive group when it comes to keeping healthy.

Good luck and have fun!  See you around. :)

Thank you so much! :)