Looking for a Support Group!

My name is Nikki and I found this website while looking for calorie counts on salmon.  This site has everything I need to help me on my journey to become a healthier person, not only for me, but those around me.  I have never been a small girl, but I was okay being a size 10.  Of course, I went to college, gained tons of weight and then my fiance and I had our first child and the weight went up.  Unfortunately, it never went down.  I am now a size 22 and and considered severely obese.  I want to be healthy.  I want to be able to keep up with my son as he continues to grow.  I want to be alive long enough to see grandchildren.  I feel that if I continue the way I am going...I will not be able to do anything that I want to!  I am hoping this website and the community that comes along with it, will be a valuable tool in this journey.  I am always looking for support and encouragement.  I am also getting married in September and would love to be toned up for that!! 

Hi Nikki, I found this site by accident too, I was looking for diet support forums. I've been overweight all my life. At my heaviest I was 245-odd lbs, and got down to 147lbs. Unfortunately (sort of LOL!) I then met my Hubby & had two beautiful girls, and am currently 173lb (down from 180+ in January) so I'm going the right way!

I too decided enough was enough, I want to get healthy and enjoy my girls growing up- being fit to do things with them & go places with them. I started out logging everything I ate- trying to hit 1200cals a day, but went a bit astray as I was hitting 8-900 and wondering why I wasn't losing. Then I was diagnosed with an underactive thyroid which knocked my efforts for a while too, but now I'm back on track- normally I'd have given up by now?

Anyway...enough about me...welcome and I hope you find the help & support on here that you're looking for?

Hi Nikki..welcome to this site..you have certainly come to the right place for support and encouragement..a little bit of advice from one who has been up and down with weight..on the road to catching myself before I go too far up again..this time..so I know what it is like to be big and small having experienced both..

One..you can diet all you want..but it is about making healthy choices for life that really counts as permanent change in body (and once you are smaller, as you probably remember, you feel differently in spirit and mind as well)..once you start making small changes, say weekly, in your eating habits, you will start to PREFER the healthy choices,and stuff like for instance, KFC will gross you out. (I use that because saturated fat, esp crispy chicken is my downfall, now when I eat it once a year or so, I go UGH, why did I think I wanted that?)..But don't make drastic changes too fast or they will not 'stick'..another thing is we cannot lose any kind of meaningful weight without exercise accompanying same..and that means lifting weights in a gym or some other controlled environment where you must go physically a few times a week..all this is probably stuff you already know but..sometimes it helps to have a buddy or two to be 'accoutable' to..I will be your friend if you like and there are lots of others here who will too I am sure.. Keep your stick on the ice, as we say here in Canada.

Hi Nikki..welcome to this site..you have certainly come to the right place for support and encouragement..a little bit of advice from one who has been up and down with weight..on the road to catching myself before I go too far up again..this time..so I know what it is like to be big and small having experienced both..

One..you can diet all you want..but it is about making healthy choices for life that really counts as permanent change in body (and once you are smaller, as you probably remember, you feel differently in spirit and mind as well)..once you start making small changes, say weekly, in your eating habits, you will start to PREFER the healthy choices,and stuff like for instance, KFC will gross you out. (I use that because saturated fat, esp crispy chicken is my downfall, now when I eat it once a year or so, I go UGH, why did I think I wanted that?)..But don't make drastic changes too fast or they will not 'stick'..another thing is we cannot lose any kind of meaningful weight without exercise accompanying same..and that means lifting weights in a gym or some other controlled environment where you must go physically a few times a week..all this is probably stuff you already know but..sometimes it helps to have a buddy or two to be 'accoutable' to..I will be your friend if you like and there are lots of others here who will too I am sure.. Keep your stick on the ice, as we say here in Canada.

Hi Nikki.  Welcome.  I also found this site by accident.  I think I was looking up calories for sushi lol  Anyhow, I'm so glad I found this place.  It is very helpful and such an inspiration to read everyone else's stories and sucesses.

I agree with dollface in that after making changes about eating healthier and not dieting...I find that foods I used to pig out on are just yuck to me now.  I'd always ask my husband to pick me up something while he was out and now when he asks if I want anything, I'm usually like umm nah I'm good.  I have two boys that are quickly growing up and I want to be healthier for them.  Plus I don't want to be the mom that they are embarrassed by ya know?  I'd love to be your weight loss buddy.  It's always fun to meet new people who you can relate to and trust me, I need all the motivation and inspiration I can get! lol 

Congrats on your upcoming wedding!  I'm sure you're gonna look fabulous!

Thank you to everyone that has responded so far.  I look forward to the conversations and shared encouragement.  The more the merrier, please join my support group!

Nikki:

This is a wonderful site!, I too am wearing a 22 and can't wait to lose it all. My doctor is ambitious and wants me to lose 40 by July.  I think I'll be happy with half that by July,But I am trying.

I have never worn a size ten, but that can be a good goal for both of us in the long run, how about it?

It is always good to have a buddy.  PS, I have added the toolbar to my internet explorer with the "eat meter" at the top. It makes using the site convenient. Any little tool to help us reach our goals is a plus in my book.

calliopsis

Nikki,

Welcome!  I just joined the site today and am very encouraged to find such a friendly welcoming place to help me in my healthy lifestyle goals.  I am in a size 18 to 18W right now and am at the heaviest I have been in my life at 227lbs.  It sounds like we have quite a bit in common with our weight up's and downs and weddings in the fall.  I know I'm a newbie, but everything I've seen so far has been very encouraging and exciting!  I'd love to be part of your support system.  :)

Elizabeth