Just wanted to introduce myself!

[AprilN]

Hi everyone! I've been lurking on the WISH boards for a week or so, but I finally decided it was time to get involved! I've been hanging out on the Cruise forums for over a year, and I started seeing the WISH clippies, but ignored them, because I wasn't ready to start this journey. Now I am!

I've been extremely overweight for as long as I can remember. I did Jenny Craig 8 years ago (during college), lost almost 80 lbs, but gained it back and 50 more to boot. I eventually seemed to stop caring over the past few months, as I grew into (and almost out of) size 28 clothes, but still ate fast food 4x a week and hardly ever exercised. At 27 years old, 296 lbs (5'3") isn't an immediate death sentence, but my quality of life has been steadily decreasing, into a world of seat belt extenders and catalogue shopping, not to mention non-existent self-esteem.

Finally, last week I had an epiphany. While poking around on www.getting2goal.com, something finally clicked inside my head, and I realized that I didn't have to hate myself in order to lose weight. In fact, I had to LOVE myself so much that I would want to become the healthiest person I can be. This might sound obvious, but it was a 180° change in my mind set, and I've been raring to go since then.

My plan is straightforward: if I live like a healthy, fit person, I will become that person. I'm planning to eat more veggies and fruits, drink more water (5+ bottles a day) control my portions sizes, and make healthier choices in restaurants and fast food joints. I'm not planning to count calories at this point, although I may modify this later. I'm walking 2 miles (~40 minutes) each morning Mon-Fri, working out at Curves 3x a week, and going for a bike ride or some kind of exercise with my DH each weekend.

I'm hesitant to set goals, especially time-sensitive ones, because I don't want to feel like a failure if I don't meet them. I guess my ultimate goal for now is to get to a size 16. I know this is where some people are starting their WISH challenge, but just being able to shop in a "normal" size store would be fabulous. However, making any kind of progress will be a success in my eyes.

So far, I've been doing great. I've walked 6 times, joined Curves and worked out twice, and went for a bike ride. My food choices have also been good, and I've successfully handled a dinner party, two restaurant meals, and a fast food lunch. I know I've only officially taken the WISH challenge today, but I had my first weigh-in this morning, and I'd really like to count it (what's one week among friends, right?): 2 lbs gone!

For the first time in my life, I really believe I can do it! Thanks for reading, everyone. See you around!

 

[LuvTigger]

Welcome April! I can tell that you have a wonderful attitude and I think you'll be very happy here on the WISH board...everyone is just full of encouragement and support.

Have you "officially" signed up for the WISH Challenge? (Look towards the top of the list of posts.) Also, be sure to get a clippie...it's unbelievable how motivating it is to strive for the next one.

It sounds like you have a very reasonable plan, and like you said, you can always modify it later. Be sure to check in with WISH regularly and let us know how you're doing! You can also start a WISH Journal which can help yourself look back to see your progress, and it may also help others as well.

 

[becka]

Welcome to WISH!!!!

I am so glad that you have joined us here.


I also sent you a PM.

 

[AprilN]

Thanks for your replies LuvTigger and becka! I did post to the "official" list at the top of the page as well, but I thought I would tell my whole sordid story in a separate post. I just added the clippie to my sig as well.

Thanks for the warm welcome!

 

[Beastlover]

Welcome to WISH!! Sounds like you are ready to succeed!! Your goal sounds resonable, and as long as you are committed, you can do it!!!
Congratulations!!

 

[PartyofSix]

Welcome to WISH. I love your energy!!!!!!! I think you have a sensible and very doable goal set for youself. When your ready can i suggest you do 10% weight goals? Just take 10% of your weight and that's how many lbs you need for a mini goal and try to reward yourself for hitting them. I do this and it really has kept me motivated. As can i suggest the walk away the pounds tapes to you? There fantastic and your dh might enjoy doing them in the evenings with you you can purchase them at wal-mart target or online. Also check out www.fitday.com it's totally free and it's a great asset when your ready to be disipline even more than your are now. Also have you found this site? www.dwlz.com it's wonderful and she has a lot of fast food resturant menu suggestions also if you looking for an awesome desk top weight tracking device download the weight commander from her home page play with it for a week and if you like it you can send the man 9.95 by snail mail. You own it for life, it has a password and you can make 2 separate copies if you know someone else (dh perhaps) that would like to join you. I love it and taut it to everyone i know. I love watching my graph go down, down, down, it's very motivational to me. I wish you all the best and YES you can do this!!!!!!! Can't wait to support you along your journey.

 

[AprilN]

Tammy,

Thanks for your suggestions - and your support! I've been thinking about 10% goals - 30 pounds sure does feel far away though! We'll see how it goes - right now I'm just looking forward to my first WISH clippie.

I've looked at the WATP tapes (they come highly recommended), and I don't think they're right for me - I worked out with the Denise Austin aerobics TV show for over a year, and I've figured out that a perky, happy person first thing in the morning doesn't work for me. Especially when it's the same person doing the same things every time, like on a tape. I've really been enjoying walking around my neighborhood, and I think when paired with Curves (which is quite a workout!), I'm getting quite a bit of exercise!

My DH is actually quite in shape - only about 10 pounds overweight, and he's working on that in his own way, including riding 12 miles roundtrip to work and situps/pushups in the morning. I've got his full support on my efforts as well, whatever I want to do!

I'll keep your other suggestions in mind as I move on "down" the road. I've made my own weight graph here at work (Excel) - yes, it's a great motivator to see it fall!

Thanks again for your support!

 

[RaySharpton]

Welcome to the W.I.S.H. board, and thank you for the neat web site.

I just wanted to wish you well.

You can do it.

God bless, best wishes, and encouragement, RaySharpton

 

[Beanie]

Hi April! Welcome to the WISH Board!

You will find lots of support and encouragement here, so jump right in and start posting away! Glad you have found us!

 

[AlreadyexcitedGrammy]

So glad that you stopped that lurking and became official! Great place to find support, tips, humor and hugs - we all need those once in a while!

See you around and welcome

Bebr

 

[lulu201]

Good morning, April! It's a brand new day--good luck with all the choices you'll face as you live your new healthy lifestyle! I'm new to these boards as well and have found incredible support and motivation just in the few short days I've been here. I know you will, too!

Now charge straight toward that 5 lb. clippie!

 

[TigH]

Hello and welcome, April!

WOW! I'm so glad you are joining us!!! CONGRATULATIONS on your epiphany and your super attitude! You are right! If you live like a healthy person, you will become a healthy person! And you DO have to love yourself, and every day that you make it through your new healthy living lifestyle you will love yourself EVEN MORE than the day before!

I hope you stick around! GOOD LUCK! You sound very determined and I think you have a wonderful idea for getting healthy!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Woo-hoo!

 

[Baileymouse]

Welcome, April!

You're joining a great group of people here. I really commend your positive attitude - it's fantastic. I'm in the same boat as you - trying to get back to the size 14/16 I was in high school. The support and fun on this board will make the journey easier, you'll see!

Take care and keep up the good work!

 

[Christine]

April,
Welcome and it sounds like you're doing the right thing by taking baby steps. I really think that is the way to do it!!!! And, fortunately, you've got your youth on your side. You're still so young that, with the right mindset, you should really get the pounds off.

Your story reminds me a lot of a woman here at my office. She is 39 years old, 5"4' and weighed 300 lbs. She had been on every diet ever created and she never really ever lost. Well, over the past year, she has lost 102 lbs. I spoke with her just the other day in depth about her journey, and the first thing she told me was that it REALLY was just all up to her. She had to get "right" in her mind with the weight loss. She was just so tired of being tired, having everything on her hurting, not being able to climb the steps to her apartment, and not being able to do fun things with her 10-year old son. So, she just got out and started walking, and she said she just quit gorging herself. She realized that she was emotionally eating. Now after a little over a year, she has hit a plateau, so she just finished her first hour of cardio the other day. She was so proud of herself. She changed her exercise routine a bit and broke through that and dropped another 6 lbs. So, I KNOW you can do this. I like your approach and the fact that you are just going to "eat better." I started this way to and, as I started to feel better, I, in turn, started to want to eat even better.

Keep posting and let us know how you're doing!

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Hi there April! Welcome aboard! You are in the best place you could want to be. The folks here are just the greatest.
It sounds as if you have the most important ingredient to all of this. YOU! Doing this for you and keeping your mind in it will make the rest happen. I am glad for you.
Keep on keepin' on! These increments of 5 pound clippies are really a fun thing too. Go for that first one.

 

[wdwnutze]

Welcome April!! With your very positive attitude, I know you can do this. Come to this board anytime you feel you need the encouragement. We are always here and willing to offer some words of encouragement or advice. I think that is why people are so successful on WISH! You are smart to not look at the whole picture but to break it down into smaller successes. You have the ingredients (strong will, determination, positive attitude, and support from family) to make this work for you. Good luck with your efforts!