New to the site - I have a long way to go

I have just joined the site today and spent the last hour or two poking around at all the tools and information available. The journey towards a healthy weight is one I have known I needed to start for a long time, but I kept making excuses - until now. I don't know what changed things, it's like I suddenly woke up and saw where I was headed and realised that's not where I want to go.

I think this site will be an important tool in keeping me informed and motivated. Reading the forums I've seen others writing about so many of the same feelings and frustrations I've experienced, and it gives me strength to know I won't be doing this alone.

As it says in my profile, I've stuggled with my weight and with my attitude to food for many years. I've come a long way in improving my self-esteem, but I know that in order to lose and maintain I'll need to change my lifestyle and my emotional attitude to food. I am currently at 250 (it's scary just to write that!) and my goal for now is to get down to 150. I know it'll take a long time, but I feel determined and I know I can do it. I look forward to getting to know others here and sharing stories and tips as we all work towards our goals together.

Welcome!  I just joined in the last month.  My wake-up moment was in the doctor's office.  The blood pressure medication is not working.  I have over 150 pounds to lose-a whole person. 
Your enthusiasm is a great inspiration. 

This is the one place I don't feel so alone in the fight.
Hang tough.

Hi there!

You'll love this site.  I started using it April 18th 2006 and have lost 42 pounds.  I think it's a great tool and has helped me get half way to my goal.  Actually I started at 240 and am down to 198.  I have 48 to go, YIKES!  Good luck you can do it! 

I also am new to the site. I have a long way to go to. Was doing real
well until my fiance got sick and passed away. Have gained back 25
pounds in the last three months. I know it is depression but I can't
seem to control myself. My stomach was bothering me while he was sick
and I had problems tolerating fresh veggies which I had been eating a
lot of and now I am having trouble getting back in the habit of
grabbing them instead of other things. It is so hard to cook for one
person so I find I am snacking instead of cooking supper. I do work out
3 to 4 times a week.

Hello.  I'm new too just joined last week.  Don't put in you mind that it will take a long time.  Put in your mind that It will be worth it.  My highest weight was 5 years ago at 265 lbs.  my weight today is 215.  I don' t see that it took 5 years.  I hear all of the comments about how great I look and I feel better.  Who cares how long it takes, just stay with it and it will happen.  My goal is also 150 and I WILL get there an SO WILL YOU.    Good Luck.

Hi..I started the end of April of 2006.  Lost 10 pounds but I feel good.  I started at 248 and want to lose a hundred pounds...a long way to go  but I will do it.

Welcome to the site...it is great.

Hi There! I just signed up and hopefully can stay on track. My husband and I are both supposed to be on a diet we both have diabetes. He has had t for many years I was diagnosed 2 years ago or close to it. I had been on the high protien low carb diet and did very well about 4 years ago. I had lost 85 lbs and felt so good. I was told then to watch my weight because my blood sugars were starting to get a bit high. I still wasn't taking medicines for it. My late husband died and man I lost t. I went down hill fast and gained a lot of weight and now I am on insulin. I went to dr with my new husband he chewed us both out for about 45minutes LOL! Give or take a few minutes. I have to say he really cares and wouldn't be doing it if he didn't. It is so hard to get back on track and want to stick with it. So I guess I am going to try really hard. I found this cool program to count calories and carbs with I think it will really help keep on track with.

I am soooo out of shape and I will have to start walking also.  I do swim but I haven't been swimming continuous laps like I should. It is a bit hot still to do the walking but I am going to start hitting the swimming harder and start short walks and build up.
I would like to loose 100lbs also.
matisse7 sounds like you have been doing great! Keep it up! I really would like to start feeling a lot better myself. I guess a step at a time. :)

Thanks so much everyone for the encouragement! Looks like I'm not the only one trying to lose a large amount of weight. 100 pounds sounds like so much! I'm always so amazed when I hear success stories - congratulatons kbachmeier, 48 pounds is amazing! It's like before you were carrying around a small child all day and now you're not :-)

My husband and I bought a treadmill a couple of months ago, but I never really used it much. I think my mistake was trying to do too much - I would struggle through a really hard 45 minute program and not want to go back on it for weeks, because it would be so hard and I got discouraged. Now I have changed my approach - 20 minutes every morning, 2.5 mph at 5% incline. It's hard work and it makes me sweat, but it's doable and I feel accomplished when I finish. So I am hoping that the combination of cutting back on calories and getting activity will make the difference. I don't really want to go to gyms or work out outside, because I'm always paranoid that people are looking at me and judging me. At home I feel more comfortable - and we have air conditioning! So I am glad we could afford the treadmill.

I really appreciate everyone sharing their stories with me. It sounds like some of you have been some hard times but I'm sure it's helped you build up your strength too, even if you don't know it.

A big welcome to all the new members!  You've all congregated in this one thead where we can find you!

I hope you're going to like it here as much as I do.  When I first came here, I kept expecting it to cost money at some point.  I was so surprised that there is so much here, and all free! 

Use all the tools, click on all the menus, fill out your profiles, start journaling and add friends to your lists!  I hope you all learn, as I have, that losing weight doesn't have to be torture!

Narnia welcome!!!!  Also every new member too!!

I love this site, you'll only find encouragement and support.

So kick back and relax!!!!

CC  aka CanadianChick

I'd like to add a word of welcome-- I find this site to be so helpful--I've lost 20 pounds since April, and my cholestrol levels have dropped 30 points since then (which makes my doctor very happy!).

I've been on a VERY LONG plateau for about 6 weeks, and I'm at the point beyond a little frustrated, but seeing all the newbies will hopefully motivate me to keep going at this!

Welcome welcome welcome!

Ooo - new minds to warp!

Welcome to C-c, all you new people! :)

I've been on this site for close to 4 months now, I guess, and I've lost about 45 lbs., so I guess I'm one of those "succeess stories" (not succeeded yet. Not for another 61 lbs.!) so, I'm here to tell you the advice we give here DOES work. There's lots and lots of good and useful information here, both for people who are just beginning and people who are trying to go the next level :)

Good luck to all of you!

Thanks Claire for finding this! :)

Welcome everyone!  You will find the support you need here.  The thing to remember is this is a lifestyle change, dont think of it as a diet because you will get burnt out!  You didnt gain your weight in 2 weeks so dont expect to see it disappear in 2weeks.  I will suggest taking your measurements now- there will be times you will hit a plateau with the weight and taking measurements and seeing those numbers drop will help you get thru that!  I enjoy the measurements dropping more than the scales!

With the support from everyone here- you will succeed! Consider it a challenge and one you will conquer!

Just a quick hi, welcome, and congratulations on taking this **big** first step!!!

Welcome! Congrats on taking that first step-- its never easy. I've started on this site a few months ago, but I've only started changing my lifestyle about two weeks ago, so I'm pretty new to this as well- feel free to add me as a friend, I've added you. I started at 216 and am now at 207- 9lbs down. This website is increadible- the community is great! Welcome!

Welcome and good morning!!! Best of luck!

Welcome!!!!!  Wow!!!  C-C is growing by leaps and bounds!!!

WTG on your decision for a healthier life!

p.s.  I also have to lose a whole person.  :)

HI ya'all!!  Well I think that we have enuf people here to have a party!!

Glad you found us here.  It is a great site, lot of great features, but best of all is the support that you will find here.

have a great day!

gotta scoot to work

love, Karen

I have a lot to lose too -- a lot of weight to lose and a lot of my life to lose if I don't get healthy.

Glad to share the journey with you.

As you can see, people here are just great -- very friendly and helpful.

Welcome aboard!