Wanted: Weight Loss Buddy!

Hi guys, so I'm new to this, please don't be offended if I'm violating a rule I don't know about (I read the posting guidelines and I don't appear to be breaking any!).

OK the situation is this.  I'm a 21 year old female from the United Kingdom, and I'm a finalist at university studying for an English degree.  Next year I've got a place at Cambridge to do a postgraduate qualification, and so I'd really like this time to be a new chapter in my life.  Other interests beyond my degree include music (I'm an accomplished pianist & violinist), radio presenting (I've done commercial & voluntary since the age of 15), the arts, filmmaking (I have worked with independent companies & look forward to setting up my own), IT & computers (I'm geeky as well as infinitely cool) and literature.

I've always struggled with my weight, although I've never been drastically big for my height.  Before I came to university I weighed in at 13st (83kg or 182lb) which was a little heavier than I would have liked, but I was only classed as 'slightly overweight', mostly due to a lifelong aversion to exercise of any form.  Due to a very bad catered diet at university (think pasties, pasties, and more pasties) I suddenly ballooned in size and put on 3st (19kg or 42lb) in a matter of months.  Ever since I've fought a losing battle with the excess baggage, and was recently horrified to discover stretch marks bursting out all over my stomach.

I am 5'7" (170cm), currently weigh in at 17 stone (which is 108kg or 238lb), and am looking to reduce my weight to about 10st (64kg or 140lb) by early 2009.  I am looking for someone in a similar situation who has a similar target.  Preferably they will be of the same age and also female, although I'm not overly picky!

Now for the other stuff.  I usually eat moderately healthily: I regularly consume my 5-a-day fruit and veg (not every day, but nobody's perfect) and eat lots of poultry/fish and very little red meat.  I suffer with IBS and am intolerant of a range of foods to varying degrees: examples include starchy foods such as rice/pasta/bananas/potatoes/bread and dairy products such as eggs/cheese/milk/cream.  As a result, I tend to avoid eating too many of these foods in one day so that my poor digestive system can actually process the food I'm eating.  I have a weakness for chocolate (who doesn't!) and probably eat far too much salt, so I'm definitely keen to reduce both of these foods in my diet.  I am also a psychological eater: eating when stressed/angry/depressed/bored/thirsty/happy/ tired rather than when I'm actually hungry.  As a result, I tend to over-estimate my portion sizes and suffer from EBTB syndrome (Eyes Bigger Than Belly), meaning if and when I eat like a normal person, I'm constantly starving.

Exercise isn't my strong point as it's something nobody in my family is too keen on, but I used to go swimming regularly as a child and it was one of the only forms of exercise I actually enjoyed.  Currently I'm working on my own exercise regime to kickstart my weight loss.

What I'm looking for in a buddy is sort of a penpal with the following qualities:

• someone in a similar situation with similar goals
• someone looking for support and encouragement and also willing to give the same on a regular basis

It would be great to have a buddy to whom I can chat on MSN or webcam (as I have one), so that we can benefit from mutual encouragement and individual/group achievement. 

I would love to hear from you even if you're only the teeny tiniest bit interested (and even if you're not but would like to leave some positive words/thoughts of encouragement!), and look forward to getting some responses!  Any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

~JEN

Hi, Jen!

I really want a weight-loss buddy as well!  While we aren't weight loss "twins," I think we're close enough to help each other out.  (You didn't mention your height, so I can't be sure.)  Here's some information about me:

• I'm a 23 year old female living in Oklahoma.  I was born in the UK, but have spent time in Japan, Texas, and Guam in addition to Oklahoma
• I'm in law school, but my interests include guitar and piano, sewing and crochet, computers, and reading.
• I'm 5'8" tall (1.72 m), and currently weigh about 220 lbs (100kg), and I would like to weigh about 150 lbs (68kg) by early 2009. 
• My stomach is an unhappy creature, similar to yours, but I can generally tolerate dairy.  Starchy foods tend to upset my stomach if I overeat them, too.
• I eat when I'm stressed!  (Which is all the time in law school!)
• I enjoy exercise enough, but it's hard for me to make the time to do it.

I would like to find someone to share with/support in their journey as they do the same for me.  If you think we can help each other, please let me know!

I too am looking for a "weight loss buddy"; unfortunately, you specified that you were hoping to find someone with similar goals, and as of right now (provided I don't suddenly eat the entire contents of my pantry) I am only looking to lose about 10-15 pounds. While my situation is sort of similar (English student, early 20's, not too fond of the gym) my goals are more short-term. 

 Luckily, you've come to the right place for encouragement. While I personally don't really tend to get to involved in these forums, I do check in on them from time to time when work is slow and have noticed that these women and the occasional male are quick to give encouragement and advice. 

Thank you for such swift responses! 

On the suggestion from luckyangelou I have now changed my description to add in my height which is 5'7" or 170cm.

I could do with a friend to help me out, i am 12st 8ish and want to get down to 11st 5ish but not easy when i have friends telling me i am fine the way i am. Maby a like minded person who understands me.

 

Send me a message if anyone is there :)