My personal challange. Are you with me?

This year I decided to get my life back on track. For the past couple years I've let a lot of things bother me, things that caused me to pick up the bad habit of over eating. I would eat when I was sad, when I was happy and when I was flaming pissed off.
Then the doctors tried to feed me Lithium which kinda put my thyroid gland into hibernation. So I put on a few too many pounds for my personal liking. So today I reached a big milestone. Since last January I've now lost 20 lbs. Most of last year I didn't really try and stick with it. My friend (whom also has a weight problem) and I feel my husband were both sabatoging me. (Both had their reasons, which I will not get into).
But I decided to be a trooper and not let anyone get in my way of personal happiness. But here's the snag. I need some people in my corner. I need encouragement, because everyone in my normal day to day people life has thier own selfish reasons to keep me right where I am.
Mind you I'm not like "Kristie Alley" fat or "Anna Nicole Smith" fat, I'm chubby and I hate it. I want "me" back. So here's my Goal, I want to fit my favorite pants in the whole wide world..

I want to fit these by June, so in July I can visit my niece (whom I love more than life itself) and don't have to be "her chubby aunt". I don't want her to be ashamed of me (she has more than enough reasons, I don't want to add one more). Besides, it's always fun when she calls me when she shows all her friends my picture and they all want to marry me.

Word of encouragement:
Go for it! You can do it!

I don't really have tips, but I can tell you how I lost over 20 pounds when I was in Japan for a year.
Tip1) Drinking. Drink much. But no Soda. Water or tea is cool. Sometimes a Cola light (which has 0 calories, right?) if you like it.
Tip2) If possible go to work or shopping by bicycle. I rode my bike AT LEAST 10 miles every day (to go to university and check out game stores )

That was my way and it wasn't bad at all. I didn't even want to lose weight, but it happened.

That's why you can do it, too.

I agree with Manuel soda is a huge no no. I quit drinking soda and I went from 187 back down to 160.

Tips? Jumping rope for one hour burns 1000 calories, plus you have a killer set of legs. Riding a bike is awesome cardio. What I do (but I'm a guy, it might not work as well for a girl) is weightlifting. It turbocharges your metabolism cause it takes alot more fuel to maintain muscle than it does fat.
20 mins a day 4 times a week.

Hey wait I had an idea!! You like video games.. (duh!! patriot) play DDR for a couple hours a day!! I'm willing to bet ya that'll drop a few pounds.

You can do it, anyone can if they put their mind to it. It's your body, bravo for changing it to the way you like it.

As for my adVice; crunches and other ab excersizes. Set a specific number of excercise sets to do each day, and do them. Don't miss a set. If you do miss one day, make it up the next day. Note: It doesn't have to be an excruciating workout, but it should be somewhat hard. Just keep at it, and don't stop.
On a daily basis for months, it should make a difference.

If you keep it up, it should get easier. When it does, up the number of repetitions in each set a little bit.

I personally recommend flutterkicks, but only if you feel you can make yourself do them every day, without missing.

Also, try eating fruit. Buy things like grapes or tangerines (tangerines are great), things that are sweet and fun to munch on. Try to eat those instead of fatty foods. I personally find it easier to do that than trying to avoid snacks entirely. (Avoid dates and apricots).

You can do it! Use the POWer of the force.

I have some tips: Try working out, with anything in the gym.

Try Yoga (don't ask).

And every morning and evening, do sit-ups and push-ups.

If you make a good schedule of exercises you must do every day, you might just get finished before it reaches to June.

I bevelive you can do it, don't give up!

Back in March of 2004 i weighed 340-350 Pounds then i decided to lose weight for health reasons but it wasn't just that i was tired of being overweight i didn't feel good about myself but in 3 months with Diet and Excersize i went down to 260 Pounds and lost 3 pant sizes it was a really great feeling.

haha, bad dog, you should sign up for a weight loss commercial, what you said sounds EXACTLY like something you'd see on one of those commercials .... and no i wasn't trying to make fun of you or anything.

anyways, go Jenni! !

Don't stop! keep going!

Here's a tip, walk everywhere. it'll be tough & bothersome at first, but if you get used to it, you'll lose a lot of weight!

Also, you'll lose weight if you stay up(seriously). every minute spent awake means calories being burned as energy.

Remember that losing weight is like practicing in Marvel vs. Capcom 2,
you have to keep at it.

And if you're feling down, listen to Feel Good Inc. by the Gorillaz.

And kick butt in those pants!

Try Yoga (don't ask).

Now I have to ask.
What about yoga?

Try Yoga (don't ask).

Now I have to ask.
What about yoga?

Yoga = Bendiness.
Bendiness =...... ....... ..... (not going there)

yeah try it, i should be losing a bit myself, i did lose a little bit last month, like 10 pounds, i was 125 then now about 115.

Actually, there is no "W" in the word "Not". In most cases, anyway.

I'm with ya sister!!!!

I've been trying to get back to the gym for a couple years now. Ever since I met my girlfriend I have gained, what I call, happy fat ....

I'll be rooting you on! And hopefully you will inspire me to finally do the same! So keep us posted on your progress.

Dude, I was the same way (well, not the benchpressing part). I've put on about 30 pounds since high school and no height. Fortunately, Dance Dance Revolution has gone from 'mild interest' to 'defining characteristic', and that, along with skateboarding, has prevented me from gaining any more weight. I've been in a holding pattern at about 175lbs for about a year now, and have been trying to find the time for more active pastimes to actually LOSE weight rather than just not gaining.

I think realizing that if you DON'T do something it's gonna become a problem is the first step.

Little things like opting to use the stairs over the elevator (normally faster anyway) or walking short distances rather than driving, etc etc make a surprising amount of difference. I also haven't drank a pop for about 2 years now. The two beverages I generally consume now are limited to water and beer. Ehh, I gotta have ONE Vice, right?

Some sort of exercise regimen is always easier with a significant other or friend, too. I absolutely hate running, but a friend and I ran three miles a night for several months a couple years ago and somehow managed to enjoy ourselves.

I'm telling you guys, though: DDR. If you're doing the workout mode, you have to go for a LONG time on the default setting, but kick that baby up to heavy and go for 20-30 mins. THAT'S a workout (I enjoy the game so much, once I start I generally don't stop for an hour or so). Even if you're musically inept, just TRYING to hit the arrows will get you a good sweat going.

Oh yeah I forgot to say that I am at about 190-195lbs!! That is a 60lbs gain since high school 5-6 years ago!!!

I used to skate all the time till I met my girlfriend. Finding and being really happy takes away all the stuff you used to have time for and loved. But its ok

I am usually the first one to opt for the stairs or walking, I actually enjoy it. And as far as the pop..... Yeah I work for Coca-Cola , and its ok to have one Vice.

Believe me, I'll keep ya'll posted. I can't wait to get back to normal so I can dig out my totes upon totes of my "smaller" clothing. Some of it I'll have to part with though, I don't think it would be proper at my age to be mistaken for a prostitute. (Which is damn funny to me because it's happened twice in three years). Both funny stories, believe me.
Anyways, I think the end of this thread will be when I get my ass into those pants and get a picture of it.

Try Yoga (don't ask).

Now I have to ask.
What about yoga?

Yoga = Bendiness.
Bendiness =...... ....... ..... (not going there)

Yeah, that's what I meant. I mentioned it because I know some people who tried it, and it worked out great.

Woo ass :D
I seem to be the opposite. I have a horrible diet and I'm fairly inactive and I seem to be a rail. But I do drink a lot of water, and my prtions are small. I see a lot of people eating huge portions. Whole pizzas. 3rds on dinner. Then they wonder why they're gaining weight.

I even knew 'someone' who would sit there eating chocolate and chips all day and then just complain about being fat. My main adVice is not to complain, but to be active.
... I guess If you're working hard and not losing weight, then you can complain.

Actually, I don't know what the hell I'm saying. :P

Jenni, you can do it. Just stick to your guns.

Not drinking soda can help you lose weight. Stick with water and juice. Low Fat soymilk is great. It's sweeter than regular milk and makes cereal so awesome.

Self dicepline is the hardest step, but onece you gone over it, losing weight is no problem.

Jogging in the morning, or doing any sort of cardio for at least 15-20 minutes before your daily routine helps increase your metabolism during your day.

Today is also a good day because my best friend and I have buried our hatchet and are friends again. (For the record he was the one being a turd, and for once it wasn't me).

It was funny because when I told him I was going to lose the weight, he told me not too because he was afraid my "girls" would get smaller. But I assured him they will be "just fine".

IMO, I prefer a girl with a little chub. I think it's adorable. An example would probably be Christina Ricci in Buffalo 66. Skinny girls disgust me. EAT SOMETHING!

I second that. Too skinny is a NG. It should look healthy.

Believe me, I will not being going for the ultra skinny look. In the end of 2002 I was really sick and couldn't eat for almost 3 months (my body would just reject anything solid) and I went down to 120 lbs. I have very dense bones and I am tall (5'9") and you could literally see EVERY bone in my body. It looked like I crawled out of a nazi camp. When my father saw me he was so upset he cried. (And he's the strong silent type).

I just don't want to end up like my sister. Fat and unhappy. I mean I'll probably always be unhappy (it's just a personality quirk) but I don't have to be fat. I want to be fit, in case I ever have to defend myself (again).

Sadly, the only adVice I have to offer that hasn't been mentioned yet is "lay off the weed!"

MJ = munchies
munchies = unnecessary overeating
unnecessary overeating = size/weight gain
size/weight gain = no pink pants

Trust me. It's for your own good.

Wow I never would have thought that to be a reason, but the way you explained it it makes sense! Anyway YOU CAN DO IT JENNI!!

I have been really cutting back on MJ, I swear!
She has been a crutch for me for 7 years too long.
I don't smoke and then eat garbage (if I do get munchies I eat veggies). 99.9% the time I just smoke and go to bed (it relieves my extreme body pain). Now if I had a nice husband who would rub my feet and the palms of my hands (sometimes my hands hurt so bad they curl up and I literally will weep) then I could stop all together. But that will never happen. Nobody loves me much.

And if I quit altogther I will have only two friends left in the "people" world (because the other two are chronic smokers). And one of the two I'm forbidden to see because his wife thinks I'm out to steal him. (Not the case, I'm not into cowboys). Then I'll have just the one friend (my best friend) and we have conflicting schedules half the time so we can't be together as much as he would want.

I know someday I'll quit it all together. Being the complex person I am, it'll have to be for something nobel (1/2 the time I don't care if I destroy myself) like a person or an event.

Wow... ehhh... do you have muscle problems, or...?

Damn, that sucks. How much do you get paid? (if you don't mind me asking)

$8.25 an hour.

Sucks cuz when I worked at Target (before my meltdown) I was making $12.25 an hour.

$8.25 an hour.

Sucks cuz when I worked at Target (before my meltdown) I was making $12.25 an hour.

Ah, that's still not too bad. But menial labor really should be paid higher. It's a wonder more people don't come into work with uzis. Profit margins be damned.

Hahaha! Sorry, I'm not gonna steal the thread or anything, but I just lost it when I saw your new name, OSG

A very subtle change indeed OSG

The best way to lose wieght is not drink pop (drinking its also bad for the skin) and don't snack.

I'm glad I could bring some sunshine to your day. :)

A very subtle change indeed OSG

The best way to lose wieght is not drink pop (drinking its also bad for the skin) and don't snack.

You can snack just make sure it's delicious fruits

Celery and crunchy penut butter
banana/stawberry/orange juice/soy milk makes for an awesome shake

I went to the grocery store and found this super yummy soy based drink. It's Chai Tea w/ Soy! I never had soy before cuz I thought it just sounded icky. (I've had Chai tea before but I usually drink it with whole milk) So if I'm jonesing something sweet I will just measure out about 1/2 C. and it tides me over. It tastes like liquid cookies.
Don't you actually burn calories eating celery?

You only burn calories if you eat it sans the peanut butter. AVOID PEANUT BUTTER AT ALL COSTS.

Do any of you know the savory hazelnut spread, Nutella? It practically has the same amount of calories as peanut butter.

MMMM Nutella. That stuff is super expensive though, $4.00 for that little jar! I used to like to put it on saltines with peanutbutter.

Peanut butter isn't that bad for you. I personally like tha organic peanut butter that you have to keep in the fridge. But I haven't had any for a LONG time.

I'd spread Nutella on croissants. (Heresy is my middle name... if you spell it wrong.)

I remember when my sister and I used to eat Nutella by itself straight from the jar... but this thread is about healthy eating so I'll shut up.

Nutella is quite cheap here in Germany. Yeah.

At least you get something cheap out there. Maybe they are trying to make up for your expensive DS games.

I'm making good on my diet. I now have to put my current pants in the dryer (before that was a huge no, no) for them to fit decently and even then they are looser in some places. So yay for me!

Congrats. Keep it up!

Ok, so I did a "naughty" thing today. (confessional time)
My husband ordered one of those "cheese bites" pizzas from Pizza Hut and I had a really small piece. But I found it udderly disgusting! Maybe it's from eating all that healthy stuff lately (dry tuna fish, veggies, fruits), I don't know.

But I biked a bit longer to make up for it.

Also I've been extra bad because I started smoking again. (Cigarettes). It's probably due to the stress I'm under (work, home, social life) but the good news is, I'm not addicted so I can stop when all this crap passes. I think it's an "oral fixation", I'm not eating all the time so I have to substitute something in my mouth and I can't chew gum because it gets all stuck on my stud and is a pain in the bumpkiss to get off the stud.

Ok, so I did a "naughty" thing today. (confessional time)
My husband ordered one of those "cheese bites" pizzas from Pizza Hut and I had a really small piece. But I found it udderly disgusting! Maybe it's from eating all that healthy stuff lately (dry tuna fish, veggies, fruits), I don't know.

Or, maybe, it just tastes utterly disgusting. It certainly looks terrible. Besides, it's . Better than Dominoes, but that's it.

Good. But it's better to set a specific amount of time, rather than going for 'a bit longer'. That's a mistake that I've had to deal with a lot of times.

Hm. Problem is, you have to keep that under strict surveillance, because cigarettes can quickly move from an oral fixation to actual addiction. I would say that if you make sure never to the amount you smoke each day, then you should be allright. It'll still be hard to kick them, though.... Then again, I'm completely talking out of my ass. I've only learned about smoking through watching my dad gradually increasing his dosage of cigars over the years...

The thing I used to smoke from age 16 til 24. Near the end of that I was smoking a pack a day. I was able to quit cold turkey and didn't have any desire for them (like addicts do).
I think I'm missing the nicotine addiction gene or something.My Mother was also a smoker for about 30 years and then one day she quit cold turkey it was also getting expensive for her buying cigs every day.

my mom has tried to quit several times. let's just say she's very weak

i don't htink she's actually quit for more than a month at a time

Chew on a stir stick/straw. It's better to look crazy then to get tongue cancer. Of course, I'm a hypocritical smoker v_v

Good idea, but wouldn't that be bad for you teeth?

(I guess I can't win)

Good idea, but wouldn't that be bad for you teeth?

(I guess I can't win)

It should be okay. Just be careful not to fire drool out of it.

Here's my update...

I can now offically wear my 34x34 jeans!

I'm still sad because all of my Super Cool skater jeans (and do I have a collection) are 32x34's and I can't fit them yet.... Soon though... VERY soon....

Update:

So I still can't fit the pink pants.... but I'm a hell of a lot closer. Since my absolute heaviest weight in Feb 2005 I have lost . I made my husband try on my pink pants to see just how much I have to lose to fit them and it stands at 20 lbs more.
I can pull them up, just not close them.

Good job, Jen! Keep it up.

Indeed...somehow I missed this thread...it must have been buried, because I can totally relate to what you're going through. I had to undergo the same thing, and it's good to have an article of clothing that you really like as a Goal to fit into. Mine was a biker leather jacket with all the zippers, I went from not even being able to get it on to wearing it all the time (well, in the fall & winter).
I can't add any more adVice than everyone else has, but did you get your thyroid checked? That was the main cause of my weight gain. Once I got on medication and switched from regular to diet pop (exercise, as well; I'm sure everyone knows my bike routine by now, and I lift weights and walk every day), the weight came off rather quickly (I went from 392 to 250 in under a year; I'm now at 210).
Just keep on workin' on it; you'll make it!
P.S. If you happen to be embarrassed about jogging in public (as I am) running in place in the house is a damned good substitute.