Hi there,

I really could use some encouragement, some motivation to keep going! And ... it's always nice to meet new people It also seems that having someone else to support and listen to gives you the courage to do it for yourself too!

I'm going to be 40 this summer.. woo hoo! I'm 5'4", and currently weight 174.
I've been up and down 5 pounds in the last YEAR due to laziness and maybe a little fear. I've never been "thin" in my life... not as a baby, adolescent, etc., and I have trouble even imagining what that would be like! Maybe that's part of the problem. I'm quite muscular when I work out, but can't seem to get back into the groove. When I do, I enjoy free weights, and some fun cardio like aerobic dance (or just dancing!). I have a great boyfriend who thinks I'm lovely the way I am, as well as a wonderful group of friends who can't understand what all this fuss is about. So, there's no one I can really discuss these issues with that understands.

I hope that there someone out there who relates to this

Drop me a line and say hello anytime! Have a GREAT day! Keep it up and keep it OFF!

Aria~

You're doing awesome and you're gonna keep doing awesome! Congratulations on all your progress and don't give it up for anything because if you gain the weight back you'll be very upset at yourself, and that's bad.

Keep up the great work!

Bonjour. You will find this is a great place to get support & encouragement.

I started this WOL as I was diagnosed with diabetes and being 42, knew that the dreaded weight gain from menopause is around the corner. My husband and I would often discuss the extra 150 lb person that we had with us all the time.

You will feel better, have more energy and postpone sone of the health problems that come later in life.

I was always slim but big boned most of my younger life. The weith gain has happend in the last ten. I will never be a size 6 but there is no reason to be a size 22 when I can be a 12.

Enjoy life to the fullest, but look after your health.

Thank you missaec and Marge, your encouragement is greatly appreciated!

One of the things that motivates me is that I'm the spitting image of my Mom. She's exactly 20 years older than me and having all sorts of health issues related to diabetes, and cholesterol. I don't want to go there!!!
I was always an inactive youngster too, and preferred music to sports, so exercising is kinda foreign to me... I love to dance, and think I could get into weight training given a good kick in the pants!

You guys are great!

Aria~

I'm built like my mother but I don't ever recall her getting to 235 lbs. The diabetes comes from my dad's side of the family. My sister and I are third generation.

From mom, 3 of the 5 siblings have already inherited thyroid problems and 2 of the three have vitiligo (loss of skin pigment). We hope that the other three learn from this and watch what they eat to avoid the diabetes.

Exercise is the thing I find hardest to do. No problem watching the food intake most days, but the bod needs to be run to work well. Putting gas in a car isn't enough, we need to run it and do maintance to keep it going.

Hi Aria,
Our stats are very similar. I will be turning 40 in the fall, started out heavier than you (a bunch!) and you are about 5 lbs less than me now. OK, you are already a good buddy because I need to go exercise to catch up with you
Take care and drop by anytime you need smiles, yells, or whatever.
Marie

Aria,
I think you and I have almost identical stats, and I turn 39 this year (not as whoo-hoo as you are though ) I have managed to kick the workouts into semi-high gear (speedwalking three miles 6 times per week!) and cut down on l/c treats and faux foods. Feel free to come visit my journal whenever you want and I will check back in here from time to time. I understand about the weight thing, too. My husband is all about "I love you just the way you are," a phrase that, frankly, turns my stomach. Jasmine

If exercise is a little foreign, just start slow and walk regularly. When you get bored with that, add something new. Before you know it you'll have a whole range of things you enjoy doing and it'll be easy as the proverbial low-carb pie.

Marge,

I know exactly what you mean. I'm pretty good about my food intake, and don't even have much urge to cheat. Those happen only when I'm out somewhere, and can't control (or figure) the hidden ingredients in things. It also happens that friends invite me over, and depite their best intentions, things have higher carb counts than I would like. They don't seem to understand that HONEY is still a CARB!! ("but, it's NOT sugar!") As for the exercise, my weightloss efforts are for naught without it. Seems my metabolism is sloooooooooow when left to it's own devices!

Marieshops,

Thanks for saying hi! You are doing GREAT! And ... take a look at how long I've been at it! So, really you are doing better than me!

jbbrennan,

Believe me... I am not so "woo hoo"... I just say that to make myself feel better! Now... if I could be 40 pounds lighter in the next year, 40 would really be WOO HOO! Isn't it strange? I mean, most of our lives, we are looking for someone to accept us unconditionally, and then when someone does, it makes us upset?!? I think for me, when my boyfriend tells me I look great as I am, it just highlights my own frustration and dissatisfaction at myself. Go figure....

missaec,

What I find hard is that I HATE winter! So, I tend to be inactive then. Once the warmer weather comes, I love to walk. I have to just bite the bullet, and start some exercise at home... and wait it out. Thanks for the encouragement!

OK people... I am PMSing BIG TIME today!! Up 4 pounds overnight Perhaps I should stop weighing around this TOM. Boo hoo....

Aria~

aria...

I stay away from the scale when it ttotm. It can be pretty scary and discouraging. I see you've had a good start so keep the chin up and keep going.

I'm lucky my best friend is doing Atkins too so I have some support. The only thing I don't go to crazy on is the saturated fats but I'm actually starting to enjoy salad everyday (fruits & veggies, & protiens are not my faves unless their chips )