I'm new!

I'm a new member from Maine who has about 100 lb. to lose before I feel "successful" in my weight loss. I gained a large quantity of weight just before I turned 30, a point in my life when I thought I would have achieved marriage, kids, and a house. Instead, I was single with no kids or house in sight so emotional eating became my friend. Unfortunately, of course it was more my enemy now that I've had this weight for almost eighteen years and obesity has affected my life negatively for so long.

I'm encouraged to eat better and lose weight now that I'm laid up from a bunion surgery when I can't exercise!

I'm glad to be here with Sparkpeople.
Ellen

Hi, I'm Tracie, 41, from Memphis, TN. I've lost 100 pounds in the last 3 years and still have 130 left to go. But I'm DEFINITELY gonna do it.

Hello everyone! My name is Debbie, I am 43 and am working on losing 100lbs.

I am brand new to sparkle and like so many others, not so new to dieting. I recently joined the YMCA and my personal trainer suggested I check out this site. All I can say is WOW!!

My biggest challenge is that I am an emotional eater and an inconsistent exerciser. NO MORE! I have decided that 2010 is my year of change. I want to live life without limits and to find the healthy, fit me!
I can't wait to get to know you guys.

Here's to new friends!
Debbie

Hello and welcome to the group! How did you break your leg? I am sorry to hear about that. How long will you be in the cast? I have to say congratulations on the 30lb weigth loss. I know this leg break can put a damper on your motivation, but stay plugged in and that should help!

Anna.

Hi everyone! I have been doing Sparkpeople for four months and have lost over 30 pounds from my all time high of 377. I have been doing this on my own since the beginning but I broke my leg two weeks ago, so now I have nothing to do but sit in the chair, watch tv, and get on the computer. I started checking out the spark teams, reading some of the posts I found that a lot of your stories are very similar to mine. My Doctor has been telling me for years that I need to lose weight so my latest attempt to lose weight was that I would count calories. In my search for a free online calorie counter I found Sparkpeople and as all of you know it is so much more that just a calorie counter. I want to tell everyone I know about it because it works so well, I believe that my eating habits have truly changed and now I just need to buckle down for the long haul. It took twenty years to put this weight on and I know its not going to just go away, but I feel I am on the right track.

Edited by: CD6608580 at: 5/13/2010 (19:58)

Welcome everyone! Jump right in.

My name is Kari, and I'm a week old. :)
I've successfully lost 100+ pounds doing weight watchers and other various diets, but found that my weight had stabilized and I needed something new to kick my butt a little. A friend of mine found sparkpeople, invited me ... and well here I am.

I just turned 43, am a single student and proud "parent" of a maltese dog named Jackson. I'm looking forward to getting in the swing of things, but currently I'm detoxing (9th day of 14 I think...we'll see once it gets closer).

Anyway - just wanted to introduce myself. Looking forward to learning and growing and losing! :)

Hey, new girl peeking in and looking for a home on the boards. I know that friendship and having people dealing with the same issues helps tremendously. I love to give and get support. I'm an almost 41 year old mom of two who works full time plus outside the home. Been married to the love of my life for 21 years and I have put him through many many sizes of Sandy!

WELCOME,YOUR GONNA LOVE IT HERE.

I am some what new here. I was with spark and stoped and it's been almost a year and I am back. I am at the heavest weight ever and I am determaned to kick it off this time. I want to see my kids and grand kids grow up.

Welcome! This site has been such a blessing to me, and I pray it will be to you also!

Welcome all, so glad you are here!
Smiles, Mo

I know the feeling REALLIVEWOMAN. I've had dreams about unzipping this fat suit and walking away. its like a prison and no one understands just how it feels. I am with you on this and we can make it!

Hello everyone,
Yes I am new to spark but not new to the diet drama. This time its not a diet its a life style change. I have my brother and dad helping me and eating the same as I am. its better when you have friends and family to aid you. I'm so glad that I found Spark that I get on every day and read all the stories "if I have time".

Welcome nubies! I'm extremely motivated to get healthy thru balanced diet and fitness. Working hard and losing weight. I will NOT stop still I reach my goal. Anyone needing to chat, needing that extra push, feeling like it's a lost cause, etc...., I'd be happy to lend any support I can give. Chat me up! :-)

Gigi,
All for one and all for one! I'm new here and can tell you that I dont care how you lose it, just do it and be proud of it !!!

I feel like I should problbably re-introduce myself here, since .. well, according to my blog.. it's been almost 2 years since I've even logged into Spark.. so I guess that makes me kind of "new".. actually, being "new" is what this is all about, I guess.. an "new" start and being a "new" person, or at least un-burying the real me, that is somehow hopefully hidden under the whole second person in weight that i'm carrying around. This extra person that is, literally, killing me.. smothering me..suffocating me, destroying my bones, my lungs, my heart, my health. Being literally twice the weight you should be is a bit .. MORE than a bit.. scary, but who knows who i will find if i can manage to shed this extra person that I've been toting around on my shoulders...anyway... I'm back, I'm trying, and I'm determined to save my own life.

WELCOME SARAH,YOUR GONNA LOVE IT HERE.

Hi Sarah and everyone -- I'm new here, too.
Sarah, I have to say your post almost mirrors my life. Back in 1998 I had a huge near-death scare because of my weight and I lost about 70 pounds. It was so great! But over time I just let it all come back on and here I am back at day one. Last week I too decided enough was enough, so I have spent a few days creating my game plan and wrapping my head around what I wanted to do and now I'm back in action!

I'm a 43 year old clerk. I still have to finish creating my profile and such, but I'll do that tonight. I have fibromyalgia and am pre-diabetic. I keep my sugar under control with diet but it's tough with all this weight on. Even with my fibro I exercised for 30 minutes today at moderate pace and felt great. In fact, I know when I exercise regularly my pain levels are down.


Looking forward to meeting and getting to know everyone.

I just want to add a big thank you to everyone. I have spent time reading your posts and you're so inspiring. Thank you for changing lives. You've already changed mine.

Hi, I'm Sarah. I have a terrific life but it seems I am trying to kill myself with obesity. Despite a serious health scare in 2006, I continue to shove the food in.

Last week, I decided to actively "choose health."

I'm 41, a mom of two small children, a wife, a Sunday school teacher and a family physician.

Glad to be here.

Back to SP.
I feel and hear your fear. Take it one day at a time and post here often. You will find Great support. Use the tools here to help set your goals.
Ask any questions you may have.

Not exactly new here - but I'm here with more urgency this time. I have gained almost 100 pounds in less than a year. Had all the tests they give you and nothing is "wrong" with me... but I truly feel it's life or death this time. I know I'll need help along the way and feel much more negative starting this journey than I ever have before, but I've never feared that the extra weight would kill me before.

I can't believe that I'm the person in this body.

Hi! I'm new to posting but I found SparkPeople in January. Last week wasn't a good one but I'm back on my feet again.

back to the SP teams.
We can all do this together.

New here...I participated in Spark people a few years ago...but then I was overwhelmed with a bunch of other sites that I was also trying to keep up with so I went cold turkey...but i am back as I know I need support and know that I can find it here!

Hope to get to know lots of you!

Congrats to you Albby for stopping smoking! I stopped 2 years ago. Keep up the good work!

Edited by: WASHMOM5 at: 4/12/2010 (00:02)

Hi Albby, welcome!
Congratulations on quitting the smoking. I quit about 8 years ago and gained alot of weight. You did really good at keeping 10 pounds of what you lost off.
Good luck with your goals, I am cheering for you!

Hi everyone!! Delaware here...a transplant from Baltimore area about 25 years ago but love living at the beach! I turned 41 in February and am currently at 290 pounds...my heaviest being 305 about a year ago. I had lost 20 pounds but gained back 10 when I quit smoking. My ultimate goal is to get down to about 150 but right now I want to lose enough to get off of my meds (I am a Type 2 Diabetic).

thanks!

Gigi, we all do what we have to do, and I admire your courage in having the surgery! I welcome your posts and believe that being a part of a community like this makes all the difference, for the better.

Washmom, I don't think any less of you because you had the surgery at all. You still have to work at the cravings just as hard as the rest of us. The surgery isn't going to walk for you, or strength train for you. You may get a boost from the surgery, but you still have to work at losing weight. Don't feel out of place because your not, we are all in on it togeather. i am glad you are here

Gigi, please don't feel guilty. You choose LB for you and your health.
I had RYN surgery 3 1/2 years ago. I still need help and support.
I have found this site to help me stay accountable to myself as well as others.
it is also a very supportive site.

Hi my name is Gigi. I started gaining weight in my early 20's and with fertility treatments, babies, a hysterctomy and then finally my mother's death in 1992 I have been spiraling towards 292 pounds. I have been seriously dieting for the last year and a half. I had to lose weight before being considered for the lapband. I lost 50lbs with the help of a nutritionist/therapist/trainer. I had my surgery in January and weightloss since has been slow. I feel guilty posting on here because I had surgery. But I still need to lose aprox. 110 pound. I was wondering how you all feel about someone like me being part of discussions since I had the surgery? It really helps encourage me reading everyone's posts:)

wow...stress eating today, big time. I am too exhausted to even feel guilty at this point. still too scared to get on the scales.
hoping to do better this weekend and next week. On the upside, i am a little more active this week than I have been in a long time. Trying to stay positive. Hope everyone is hanging in there.

Hi, I am live in Boise, moved here about 5 years ago from Florida

Thank you so very much, all of you!!! I am going to start with small steps, as suggested. For most of my life I was never a night eater. But, perimenopausal symptoms include sleeplessness, anxiety, etc...plus I have GERD, IBS, etc...and so when I am awake with all the above, I find myself in the kitchen self-medicating.
But I have started a new plan, eat nothing after 6 p.m. and get back to the gym, even if it's just a little while on the treadmill, and running after my granddaughter around the yard! Well, I don't run very well...yet.
Thank you all again for the warm welcome. I think having others who understand is going to make all the difference. :)

I am new also! At my heaviest I was over 350 pounds, after my weigh in today and a 3 pound loss this week I am now down to 271.6. I am happy with how I have done so far, but I have 71.6 at least to lose. I have a goal right now to be down to 250 pounds my June 16/10. I am well on my way!
I hope everyone here is well on their way towards their goals!
Thanks for reading
Diane

Edited by: DIANE2868 at: 4/7/2010 (22:13)

I know exactly what you mean about being more afraid of trying weight loss than continuing on the same path of destruction.

Isn't it crazy that your thinking can get so warped?

I'm also hoping that we can help each other be brave!

Maren

MISSLEMONGLASS,
Today is the first day of your new journey.
I can totally related to everything you said. It use to be I was in tears by the time I made it to the grocery checkout. Then I had to carry my groceries up 14 steps to get them in the house.
I had no energy, pain all the time.
Start out slow this will help you to build up your stamina. Try to take time to walk everyday if it is just around your house or driveway. 5 minutes counts build up to 6 and so on.
Start with a doable challenge for yourself. Drink water instead of others fluids.
It will not be easy but it will get easier. I promise.
Use SP program and track everything you do. It helps me to see where I was and where I am now. Give your self affirmations several times a day. I did ___. I can do ____. I am a special person. I love myself. Even if you do not believe them you will learn that one day you will believe them. You are worth it.

Hi everyone. Yes, another new member. I was inspired to sign up because I don't really have anyone to talk to about this weight problem. Off and on during my life I have carried too much weight, but at this point, approaching 50, packing on more and more, and I'm scared I can never recover and be healthy again.

Here's why: I have no energy whatsoever. And, walking and standing have become painful. My career requires massive hours of sitting. Lately, the pain is so bad that I break a sweat just climbing one flight of stairs, and I find I often have to lean onto something if I am standing still for more than even a few seconds. Sometimes I feel the grocery cart is like a crutch.
I've never gotten to this point before and I am scared. I have a gym membership that drafts my bank account every month, but I never have time or energy to go.
The whole situation has become too weird. I don't know what to do, when I can't even stand without pain. I signed up here hoping I can find answers and advice, and maybe even get healthier. Thanks.

Welcome!! I've been here since February and am hoping Spark becomes my final weight loss answer.

It's funny that I'm reading these posts today and the talk of fear and failure. It's what my blog was about this morning.

I'm finding it almost more scary to be hopeful about weight loss than to just continue on the same path to destruction I've been on all these years.

My real hope is that being with all of you...in the same boat, sharing the same fears....while braving the future will make it bearable.

I'm very glad to be here and just as glad all of you found your way here too!! Let's do this!!

Hi I love spark, I use to be on it two years ago and then I lost site of it.. stopped using it well life got in the way but it is so great that it is here.. good luck to you and congrats on the weight loss. I to go to the Y I love it I have not been there in two years just started going back in Feb of this year. I have lost 7 lbs my self.. I am going to be getting the lap band this year. dont have my date yet.. matter of fact going to the Surgeon today for follow up.. lets see what he has to say..
good luck..keep on plugging.

Hi Everyone:

I am a newbie. I signed up for Sparkpeople over a year ago, but did absolutely nothing about it. I am 47 years old and I have over a hundred pounds to lose (yikes, that sounds horrible) Having lost and gained back so much weight over the course of my lifetime, I am definitely ready for a change.
I have started tracking my food intake with the nutrition tracker and I have also started counting my steps, with my goal being 10,000 steps per day.
I am hoping to hear from others who have tips etc. to help me on this journey. My main goal is to lose weight, but most importantly...gain energy!!!

Edited by: SUZTSUJ at: 4/3/2010 (00:59)

Hi all!

I've been entering my foods and exercise on SparkPeople for almost a month now, and I LOVE it! I haven't been able to stick to any sort of eating plan for years now, and SparkPeople has made it easy. I'm already feeling better and excited to start being more active this summer. I love to hike and I'm expecting to be able to do more than a couple of miles at a time by the time it warms up in the mountains.

I have a great feeling of empowerment here and hope to be able to reach my goal and to stay there!

Hi! I'm a starting-over Sparker. I've been on and off SP for a couple of years now, but have never really followed the program with dedication. This time will be different. :-)

I'm a 45 yr. old homemaker, married to my wonderful husband for 26 yrs. and raising our 8 AND A HALF (LOL!) yr. old granddaughter. We have 2 other grandchildren: a 4 yr. old Dgd, and a 3 yr. old Dgs. I need to lose roughly 105 lbs., a fact that amazes & horrifies me at the same time. I'm already on BP meds, cholesterol meds & an anti-depressant. My goal is to be off the BP med. and the anti-depressant before the new year. :-)

I'm looking forward to meeting lots of new Sparkers!

I am new to the program also. I am really looking forward to getting healthier and looking better. I have a young son and we will be making a huge move across country soon and I would really love to loose some weight before we leave.

Hi - I joined SP about a month ago, but it has taken me this long to actually get going and start making changes. I'm joining because I am so tired of feeling and looking horrible. Can't wait to start making some changes

MAREN661, I share your "afraid you'll fail, afraid you'll succeed" feelings. This team has been a great support and I know it has helped me stay focused and enjoying this process. Glad you are here!
Smiles, Mo

Hi everyone,

I'm new today! A friend at work showed me this website around Christmas time and I decided to check it out. I am 44, have 2 semi-adult kids at home and am going to be a first-time grandma in the fall. I work full time+ as a nurse on mostly 12 hour + shifts, which makes eating regularly challenging for me.

I have made some simple changes and have lost about 20 lbs over several months but I feel I am teetering on the edge of committing to a lifestyle change. I have the desire to do more but I am afraid I will fail and afraid I will succeed. (No wonder I am teetering!).

Hope to find like-minded others on a similar journey.