People in their 20s that would like support!

I have seen some other folks that are in their 20's that are in a similar situation to me ( I am trying to lose 70 lbs.) I thought maybe we could start supporting each other with diet and exercise tips and maybe even do weigh ins on a particular day to hold ourselves accountable. This thread can be to talk about anything going on in your life that is helping/hindering weight loss.

That's a great idea!! I'm in! I have about 90 lbs to lose and I def need to be held accountable!

Thats great rock!! I am glad someone's on board! Know anyone else that would like to join our thread just send them this way!

Is there a day of the week that you'd like to weigh in? I am thinking Friday bc it would just be easiest to remember for me. What do you think?

Let me just give a little history about myself. And everyone that joins should do the same so we know where you are coming from and how we will be able to help you.

I am 24 y/o and weigh about 198 (as of today.) I have never been what you would call skinny but I could always control my weight staying in a range of 125-150. Then about 2 years ago I was put on medication that had the wonderful side effect of weight gain. The problem was that I didn't even change my diet and I gained about 60 pounds in about 6 months!! When I cut my calories to 1200 a day which we all know is practically nothing I still gained 10 pounds just not as quickly. So basically I just accepted the weight gain bc I felt tons better on the medication until I found a newer medication that had "lesser" weight gain side effects. Well, now I am not gaining weight (Thank God!!!) but losing it for me is very very very difficult. So now I am 70 pounds over weight and I am determined to lose it!

I eat fairly healthy. I mostly cook or eat freezer dinners. Not a lot of fast food. Mainly bc I can't afford it not bc I don't like it. But it works out well. I try to consume 1200-1300 calories a day that contain mostly protein and fiber with less fat and carbs although that doesn't always work that well bc I am a carb junkie!! I could eat pasta or tortilla chips 3 times a day! Two good traits that I am proud of is that I really don't eat a lot of sweets and I only drink water always getting in my 8-10+ glasses a day.

I recently started exercising. I was too embarassed to go to the gym so I got Power 90. It is an in-home video workout. So far it is kicking my butt.  But I have been enjoying it and it has been giving me pride and satisfaction knowing that I have stuck with it even if it has only been 3 weeks.

So I just got back from vacation. 4 days in Myrtle Beach, SC. It was so much fun but the food was SOOO good and tempting that I gained 3 pounds of the 8 that I had worked for the last 4 weeks to lose. *sigh* Oh well, I am hitting the ground running today and I am determined to get those pounds back off. Plus I have a mini- goal of getting down to 180 by Oct of this year for a New England cruise I am doing with my mom. It works out to be about a pound a week. So I totally think I can make my goal!

Hi there Erin and Rock,

I'm totally on board with this! I'll weigh in on whatever day, anything works for me.

A little bit about me: I'm 22 years old and I'll be graduating college in December, then getting my Master's starting the following August. Hopefully on to my PhD after that and teaching college. I have a boyfriend of two years who just started truck driving, so besides work and school I have no other distractions, meaning I'm totally focusing on weight loss and getting healthy. Currently I'm at 235, which is almost 30 pounds up from my lowest weight (while trying to lose) of 208. Two years ago I weighed 297, so I've still managed to keep off 60 of the 90 pounds I lost.

I'm currently working on a 1200-1400 kcal diet per day, with cardio 5x a week and strength training 2x-3x a week. Some of the things I do: I go to the gym at my campus (also my place of employment) work out at home with dvd's, and walk around the big lake by my house. I count every single calorie I put in my mouth, and from two weeks ago I've lost two pounds (I was 237 when I told myself, THIS SCALE WILL NEVER READ 240 AGAIN!!) so I think I'm on the right track.

I am ALWAYS in need of support and motivation. I get discouraged very easily and I hope that this group we get going will be able to provide me with some help, and that I in turn can help others, because thats what I like doing most.

I am looking forward to getting to know everyone!

Welcome aboard Shadowedpoetess!! We're glad to have you.

You sound very positive about losing weight and that is a great start. I know with school finding time to eat healthy can be really challenging. A PhD is def a lot of work and I am in awe that anyone can find time to do anything besides study, lol! What do you plan on teaching? I have a cousin that teaches music at a local private college. She just finised her first year as a professor and she really loves the interaction with her students. Especially the class size from being at a small school.  It is great that you have been able to keep most of the previous lost weight off. It is challenging to lose weight in the first place but a whole nother challenge in itself to keep it off! You sound like you are on the right track with the exercise. I wish I were that motivated. I only do about 30 minutes a day and that is all I can handle lol!

Well, feel free to talk about anything. I am personally struggling with going back to eating healthy from eating all of the great beach food over the weekend and you will probably see me rambling on about that over the next couple of days trying to get back into the dieting groove, lol!!

I have a lot of down time on my job and am able to play on the computer so you will probably see me around a lot in the evenings!

Have a great night everyone!

Hello all!

Thank you Erin for letting me know this group exists!

I am definately in need of support and encouragement! (or is that a kick in the butt lol )

Im 22, living in the UK. like Erin ive never been a skinny girl, (i can thank my mother for that one lol) but about 7 months ago i was put on the injection (contraceptive injection) and the wonderful side effect to that was weight gain, I changed almost nothing about my diet, i probably ate better than I had before, but I piled on the pounds. I was already in need of loosing a bit, but after putting on around 40 pounds, i finally decided enough was enough. I was fed up of not being able to wear anything i owned. So two weeks ago i decided to do something about it.

Ive joined my local gym. I did try a weight loss dvd but i cant get myself motivated enough to do it. So i figured if i paid for the gym Id be better motivated to going.

Im unemployed unfortunately, hoping to change that very soon! I try to stick to my 1400 calories a day, i seem to go under quite a lot, but a few people on here say that isnt good. So im trying to get it as near 1400 as i can. That said yesterday I ate nearly 1400, but I hadnt eaten that much! I have a very big sweet tooth, and not that much self restraint. The chocolate calls to me lol (very bad misquote from pirates of the carribean)

Anyway. I look forward to getting to know you all!

Hello girls! My name is Mandy, and I'm a 5'5", 233 lbs, 26 year old, living in Canada. This is the highest weight I have ever been. I'm here for anyone that wants a good laugh, as humour is my way of dealing with everything. There's nothing I won't understand and probably haven't struggled with.

Here's my backstory - I started highschool about 155 lbs (and I never thought I was fat although some kids reminded me daily). By the end of highschool, 2001, I was several inches taller and 185 lbs. I slowly put on weight until last May. I was at 215 lbs when I started a soup diet that got me to 207, then I stopped taking birth control, lost my job 8 months ago, and quit smoking in February. Now I'm 233 and an obsessive eater. My food addiction has worsened to account for my nicotine addiction. It's like a tic with me. I see it, I eat it. I want it, I get it, lol.

Something happened 6 weeks ago that I swore I'd never tell anyone, but I'm going to tell you guys because I really need to be held accountable, lol. While watching the Biggest Loser, I had a crazy rage inside my gut for a Dairy Queen Skor blizzard, or a Peanut Buster Parfait. After fighting it for a good half hour, I found myself in my car, driving the 15 minutes it takes to get to DQ, and I ordered both - with the reasoning that the guy at the drive-through wouldn't see a lone fat female ordering ice cream for herself; he'd think it was for two. I also brought my dog for distraction. (Side-note - they didn't even have Skor, and I hesitated but ordered a cheesecake one anyways!) I drove home, 20 minutes before the show ended, and ate most of both before the extreme guilt and self-loathing set in. Something in me snapped that night, and I finally admitted that this is a major problem, and I shouldn't live my entire life looking like a plum.

I'm a bit compulsive, and orderly. I think I need the calorie counter everyday in order to keep me in line, and give me something new to obssess about. It's been 6 days so far and I've been almost good. 5 slices of pizza on Monday night because I'm retarded. I do have a gym membership to the Y, but I don't go very often. I find the dumbest excuses. My latest catastrophe is that I've managed to sprain both ankles: I never learned to walk apparently.

My goals are to be 195 by November 24th ( my Bday), and 180 by the end of the year. My final goal weight is something around 140 - as I've never been a normal BMI, and I do have a small frame. That's almost 100 lbs for me - so Rock, I'm with ya Buddy, lol.

Erin, your idea for a weekly joint weigh-in and support group is fantastic. I'm up for it, and I like people - all kinds of people, lol. So drop me a note if so inclined.

Hey girls!  Everyone's stories sound so familiar.  I've never been small, but I would really like the stupid BMI tool to say something nice for a change.  I live in Louisiana and was raised on good southern cooking.  I knew something needed to change last year when the doctor told me my blood pressure was getting too high.  My highest I think was 240, but that is an estimate because back then I really didn't get on the scales that often.  A year and a half later, I am 27 and at 203! 

I love food and am trying to really get commited to the healthy food thing.  I read that once you stop eating junk that you will stop craving it.  I am waiting for that to happen.  I have better luck with the exercise thing than the diet thing.  Since I started exercising, I have completed 2 5k races, which keeps my motivated to get on the treadmill.  This year my hubby says he will do one with me.  I am trying to get myself and him healthy.  He does better at the diet thing, but it is next to impossible to get him to work out. 

My short term goal is 175 for October and my next 5k is on my birthday, Thanksgiving day!  I think that is doable.  My first goal was 135 and that just seems so impossible right now.  I figure if I can achieve one goal then it will motivate me to keep going. 

Hi everyone!

I would love to join your group, I'm also in one that weighs in on Thursdays, but it would be nice to also have people close to my age to talk to!

I am 22 years old and love in NY. I have never been "skinny" in my mind, but I was a lot lighter, I used to do all sorts of dance classes (like 5 a week) but didn't have very good eating habits, so while I was in shape and not over-weight, I definately didn't have a typical "dancers" body. But then I got out of high school and stopped doing all the dance classes, but I never started anything else and didn't change what I was eating. So the weight gradually started to come on. Then I met my boyfriend about 3 years ago, and I was about 145-150 at the time... And he is a big lover of fast food... So then I was eating more fast food, still not doing much physical activity and then I gained even more weight. My highest was 195, I'm down to about 184 now... but I am sick of hearing my boyfriend talk about how thin I used to be...

I have already started eating better, I only have fruit for breakfast, and rarely have soda anymore. I don't order chinese food as much for lunch at work. But the weight isn't coming off as fast as I would like. I'm starting at a gym this week to take like cycling classes and stuff. So I am pretty excited about that.

I would like to eventually get back down to 145-150 where I was when I met my boyfriend, maybe a little thinner... but I want to lose as much as I can before August because I am going on a cruise with my mom and I don't want to be afraid to be in a bathing suit! I don't really have a set goal yet, because I don't know what would be a realistic number and I don't want to be disappointed. Though having a real goal would help, I suppose!

I am so glad people are joining this group! Just so you all know, I'm adding you all as friends :-) We all have a lot in common, and I'm sure this will be a positive experience for us all.

What does everyone like doing for exercise?

I walk my dog alot, but it's leisurely so it's moving but not really a workout, lol. I just bought a pair of Rollerblades, after a 10 year hiatus, and my feet are screaming after 5 minutes, but it's a phenominal workout. Once my upper body strength is better I want to sign up with an indoor rock-climbing facility. It's the same yearly cost as my gym, and it'd be a great workout 3-4 times a week. I also find paintballing with a few guy friends really fun. Anything where your adrenaline gets going is good for me, lol.

At the YMCA I like their yogafit (although my flexibility is horrible, lol), aquafit, and their cardio cross-trainer skiing thingys.

I have such a hard time making myself exercise, but once I get going, I feel so much better.  I have to workout as soon as I get home, or else I get sidetracked and come up with some excuse. 

I got a treadmill after I started exercising because it was so easy to use the weather excuses to not go for a walk or jog.  I started out doing the couch to 5k program.  It helps if you sign up for a 5k, because then you have a deadline to push yourself towards.  I got a couple pilates DVDs that I have started.  I am still on the beginner part though.  I really like them because they are broken down into 10 minute workouts, so I can do the treadmill thing and then the 10 minute arm workout.  I am looking forward to the pool opening up in a few weeks.  Eeek!  Swimsuit!

Im definately a gym girl, otherwise i dont get the motivation to do it, plus i have the walk there, and the walk back which is up hill.

Ah swimming, i love it! but i hate the swimming costume... has anyone noticed how much of a pain it is to be a female. if you want to go swimming you have to make sure youre all shaved and stuff, otherwise people look at you like youve just stepped out of the 1500's! maybe its just me... lol

Does anyone do yoga? I was thinking about doing a yoga class once or twice a week. But ive never done it...

the other thing is, does anyone else have sleeping problems? I cant get myself off to sleep at night, which really doesnt help with the eating... if im awake i get bored and want to eat lol i make sure the days i go to the gym its a proper work out, and im knackered after i do it, but i get in to bed, and my mind just doesnt want to go to sleep. if anyone has any tricks they know to get them off to sleep id be rather greatful.

lotsa love x

Hi all!  I'm Lindsay & I'm 28 - and much too overweight! 

I gained my first bit of weight my first year in college back in 1998, lost it and then some and looked pretty good for quite a few years.  Then about 5-6 years ago I started packing it back on slowly, and couldn't figure out why - I was working out 4-5x a week and eating healthy.  What gives?  So as the years went on and I kept gaining weight, I kind of gave up on myself.  And now here I am - 240 pounds and really pissed off about it! 

But it turns out it wasn't all my fault - about 2 years ago I was diagnosed with two large brain aneurysms and a very large benign brain tumor.  All three things were sitting near or on top of my pituitary gland, which was causing it to overproduce all sorts of fun stuff - hormones and cortisol especially.  The hormones made me crabby and emotional - which made me overeat.  The cortisol is a natural steroid in your body - however, I was producing three times the normal amount a person my age should have!  So combine all of that crap with me giving up on myself and I found myself in weight-gain hell!

Fast forward to now - the aneurysms and tumor have been treated, I go in twice a year for follow ups and everything is looking great.  So now I'm motivated to really get it in gear - I have a new lease on life, right?  However, now I find out that I have high triglycerides and semi-high cholesterol.  Yay.  I'm on medicine for both, but this is ridiculous - I'm only 28!  I don't buy bad food at the grocery store, but do tend to lose all willpower when I'm eating out or at work.  I have a perfectly good gym in my apartment complex that's FREE, a Wii system at home, a dog to walk and plenty of Tae-Bo tapes to jump around to.  So what's my problem?! 

I'm here because I'm 28 years old, 5'6" and I weigh about 240 pounds.  That's not right.  I'm wasting the best years of my life being fat.  Almost all of my best friends are in shape, or pretty close to it, and look cute every time we go out.  I'm tired of shopping because let's face it - there's not much out there for the plus-sized girl unless you want to look like you're wearing some God-awful, polyester-potato-sack creation. 

I'm tired of letting my weight hold me back - I know what I can do because I was in shape once and I liked all of me then.  I like my body when it's in shape.   I just have to find that girl again, because I know she's in here somewhere!!!

By the way girls - I've added you all as friends.  I figure it may take all of you to keep my ass in check!  Ha.  :)

Sagi - I used to love Rollerblading! I was always super scared to go down hills because one time I fell and ripped my jeans and I thought my mom was going to kill me lol

Nsula - I really like the couch to 5k program so far, although I just started it. Signing up for a 5k program is a great idea to keep your motivated... I have one in mind but I haven't actually registered yet!

Angel - I'm a gym girl too. I always say "oh I can do that at home" but home is way too distracting! I do like Yoga... during the semesters here at my college they offer classes twice a week and I am really missing them during the summer so I got a video that I have actually done every morning for two weeks! I would recommend you to at least try it and see if you like it :-) As far as sleeping is concerned, I often have a hard time going to sleep. I use self-meditation techniques and that always helps me drift off. Look them up online or I can send you a message with more about it if you think it might help :-)

Pandia - What an amazing adventure you've had! You are definitely right that you have a new lease on life! You're about an inch taller than me, but 240 is my most hated number. I remember when I got down to it (from 300) and I was stuck there for so long. Then I got past it (down to 208) but now I'm back up to 235 and that was my "omfg" moment where I said I will not let 240 happen again! I like trying to help people, and since I've been working on my weight now for about 2 years I have quite a bit of knowledge to share. On the same note, I also need my ass kept in check! lol...

I can't say enough how excited I am to be on this journey with people who have similar goals!!! (I've spent most of my entire day at work today on this site and on sparkpeople!)

Thanks Shadow. Yea if you could give me a bit more info on that self meditation thing. I wouldnt know where to look online lol. I only found this place cos of a friend on live journal.

its back to the gym tomorrow. Im thinking of cardio mostly. and some weights. I never do just one or the other, I do a mixture of both, but either more of one or the other. like one day ill do a lot of cardio, (well i say a lot, like half an hour) and then ill do some sit ups and one other muscle group. im trying this out to see how i do, but im really enjoying it. I find if i dont mix the two, i wonder what im meant to be doing and then get confused and so go in hunt of chocolate lol

thanks for the add pandia ive added you as a friend as well (or at least i think i have lol)

Its nice to have people to talk to that are in the same place as me, my other half is really good, but its not the same. hes only put weight on because he fractured both his shins. before that he used to run nearly everyday. he loves exercise and wieght training, he cant understand why i dont love it too lol but i have to admit i love the feeling after ive worked out!

anyway i think ive babbled more than enough for one post lol!

laters! xx

Does 29 count? I'd really like to talk with all of you! But as it looks I'm the oldest one here!

I'm 29 and weigh 229. I know I have to loose a TON of weight to be considered "healthy" but I'm really looking to get back to my college graduate weight of 168 (with better circumstances).

I've always been overweight since I can remember. I not only was the fat kid in school I was the tallest... which is a double whammy when you are in grade school and junior high. Because of my weight I never was good at anything physical, so I took up music, art and acting.

In highschool I was diagnosed as a manic-depressive and was put on a plethora of pills to straighten out my moods. But the downside was that I put on almost 50 pounds in 3 years on those pills. Which made my depression worse and worse.

After I graduated,  turned 18, I got a new doctor, new pills and the weight gain stopped, I went to college and lived in a dorm. During my college years I decided I was sick of being fat and ugly and around skinny minis, so I did the worst thing ever: began to starve myself and purge. I dropped a lot of weight very fast, but I was very very sick, I ruined my teeth and esophagus, became anemic... and was in a very bad spot. Every month I was in the hospital because of low blood sugar, blood pressure, dehyrdation. I was more miserable than I ever was.

Out of college I started to get back on track, eating, working out, taking Karate, and doing the best I could. I gained weight and was a steady 185 pounds. But for being 5'11" with shoulders like a football linebacker, I looked pretty good. I was a nice size 12. I was happy.

The past 3 years I have been stuck in a desk job that makes me miserable, and stressed out. I've gained a lot of weight back, and am at 229. In these 3 years I have tried all the fad diets, and nothing works. Mostly because I need moral support, willpower, and help to keep me on track.

I've been on Calorie Count for almost 2 weeks and it's the weekends that are killers. I work fairly hard during the week and then throw it all away once Friday night hits.

Hopefully I can find people to help me along, and who I can help too!

Hey Glam!  First of all, while I don't know anything about starving and purging, I want to way congrats on kicking those habits!  I can't imagine how hard that was.  Second of all, I hear ya about the desk job.  Welcome to my M-F life.  I have problems with the weekends too - I'm not perfect but I do try to be careful & stay on track.  And third - I'll be 29 in August so we can be the two old people in this group together.  Ha!

I am so excited that we have gotten such a big response!! Welcome everyone! I think this is going to be really helpful!

Just FYI: I think I am going to start logging my weight every Friday. I think that will be a good day since I will have been good on my diet all week (I have less temptations during the week, lol.) Everyone is welcome to keep a running count of their weights and or amount lost. It will be a great way to keep ourselves accountable

nsula- I have been working out for about 3 1/2 weeks now. Nothing too hard cardio 3 days a weeks and strength training 3 days a week using the Power 90 videos. I can't begin to imagin doing a 5K. I don't think I could have done back in college when I was fairly in shape. I am in awe. But you are right that is an awesome goal to have.

russkm-Where are you going on a cruise to? I love cruises. I am actually coming up to NY in Oct with my mom for a cruise of New England!

angel- have you tried an herbal tea to help with going to sleep. They are caffeine free and very soothing. The one I normally use is called Nighty Night. I'm sorry but I can't remember the brand. But I'm sure most brands have a version of it.

padia- I'm sorry to hear about the problems you had. That cortisol is just mean to our bodies! But now that you've gotten it all treated and you seem really motivated you seem like you are on the right road. And we are all here to help! And you are right about the plus sized clothes. I mean, there are a few cute things but do they really think all plus sized people are in their 60's? ha!

glam- Yes! 29 is perfectly ok! We are glad to have you onboard. I sort of know where you are coming from. I was diagnosed as bipolar 2 years ago and subsequently gained about 70 pounds from the medication in less than a year. I have since switched to a different medication that doesn't have the same side effect as much but it does make it harder to lose weight. I agree that the weekends are the hardest. I am so good all week and then my will power dies on the weekend. But I have been really good for the last month (except for last weekend at the beach lol!) One of my biggies is that I like to go out and have a few drinks and those are just wasted empty calories!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful day!!

Hello everyone...

My name is Danielle and I am 28... and I am trying to loose about 50lbs. I have already lost almost 40lbs so far.

I think that this was an excellent idea to start a group just for 20 year olds. I need all the support I can get. Recipes...dieting tips... you name.

So excited.... Danielle