New, and not entirely sure what I'm doing!

Hi! I've been on calorie count for a couple months, but this is my first time using the forums, and I'm hoping it will give me some added motivation.

Let me give you a little information about me:
At 18 years old, I was 110lbs at 5'8" and could lift just about anything and run forever. I could eat anything I wanted and never gain a pound. I had never seen the inside of a gym, and wasn't even overly active. In fact, I even tried to gain weight so I would fill out my supposed-to-be-tight jeans, but to no avail. All my life I was the tall, super thin girl.

Now, nearly four years later, I am at 150-155lbs and don't even know how I got to this point. I know I am technically within my healthy weight, but given my extremely small frame, the added pounds really show, and I tell you - it is not attractive.

Now my problem: being that I never had to do anything at all to stay thin when I was younger, I have a hard time really believing that I need to watch my diet and start exercising (ridiculous, I know). I am also perpetually unhappy with the way I look because I still have the idea of myself as that-thin-girl I used to be, and I don't feel comfortable in my own skin!

I'm excited to get the added support by being part of these forums, and appreciate any advice/comments/suggestions any of you have!

Well 132-164 pounds is the ideal weight for you...so maybe you should focus on your fitness and body fat rather than your weight. 

Try weight lifiting 2-3x per week and cardio 3-4x a week. Eat an adequate amount of calories and just notice how your clothes fit and how you feel rather than the scale!! 

Congrats on wanting to be healthy. I hope you're enjoying the community and tools here!!

I agree with Chrissy1988.  An 18 year-old girl's body is a different thing to a 22 year-old woman.   You were quite badly underweight in those days and many kids are very skinny before they fill out as adults.   You're not technically overweight at the moment, even if you feel uncomfortable.   I'd suggest you start by eating 'better' food rather than 'less' food.... because a better diet with more fresh wholefoods is a) more satisfying, b) tends to be lower in calories and c) will reduce any fluid retention which can be around 7lbs in some people.

If you get a reasonable daily intake... say 2000 cals.... then regular exercise will take care of the rest.  Just 10lbs lighter, if your body is more toned then you'll look 20lbs slimmer. 

Thank you so much for the input! I'm starting to learn that the number on the scale isn't too important as long as I'm healthy. I really appreciate the advice :)

Hey there. Good luck on your endeavors to get healthy, or more fit. I was once that thin girl too. Then I got married, had 3 kids and now weigh what I did when I gave birth to my first baby. So... this need to lose weight is new to me as well. I was successful in losing weight one other time, but it came back. Again, watching what I eat is new to me.

I think the advice you have been given thus far is great. Focus on having energy, eating right, and the rest will fall into place. I might add that taking a look at how you gained this weight could be helpful too. Did you have some emotional events take place or job change, that became more stressful or exhausting? Causing you to sit more at a desk or anything? Just some things to consider. I find that if I understand the reason behind something, I am better able to fix it.

Good luck!