Well, where to start? I am 24, and I have always been heavy. But I have reached my biggest. My "fat jeans" are so tight that I live in fear that the whole butt of them is just going to blow out while I am in public. I weigh around 320 (I am afraid of scales) and my fat jeans are a size 26W. I would like to get down to about 175. I think that would put me in about a size 16. And I would me more than happy with a size 16. I am realistic. I am fat, and big boned, my skeleton would never fit into a size 9. I just want to be healthier, and I want to be able to do more. I am sick of my back hurting, my feet throbbing, and just the general pressures of carrying around so much extra weight.

The reality for me was my wedding pictures. I was married to my husband in October 2002. I looked good for me in my dress. I found a style that was great, and concealed my real bad points. I also wore 2 girdles on that was like shorts that came down to my knees, and one that was a body suit. Talk about uncomfortable. And my best friend, I love her to death, but I also hate her guts. She is 5 foot nothing and wears a size 0. That's right zero. She made me look like the jolly white giant standing there, and so did most everyone else.

I don't have a specific "diet" that I am following. I did the grocery shopping for this week and took the time to select more healthy foods and to read labels instead of just picking up what would be fast and easy to fix. I am going to work on my carbs. I am a bread and potatoes girl, I could live on carbs alone and be very happy about it. I also got out these unused dishes that came with the set we bought when we moved in together 4 years ago. They are these plates, they are smaller than the dinner plates, and bigger than the dessert plates (about 7" in diameter). I am going to use those plates to help control my portions. If it doesn't fit on the plate (and no piling) I don't need it. And I am trading in my usual crackers, chips, and snack cakes for carrot sticks, broccoli, and cauliflower.

My first goal is to fit into a size 22 jeans that I have in my closet (worn twice before they were too tight to bear). And by fit, I mean fit. I will not consider my goal accomplished until I can zip them while standing and breathe while sitting down. At that time I will buy the scales that have been forbidden to enter my home, I don't want to see the scales roll over the 300 that I know I am. At that time I will start setting weight goals. But my ultimate goal is to get down to a size 16. I am going to be putting $10 a paycheck (every 2 weeks) into a piggy bank. And when I can fit into a size 16 I am going to treat myself to a new wardrobe. And I want to accomplish all of this in 73 weeks. My goal is to be that size 16 in time for my second wedding anniversary October 26th, 2004. I have browsed several sites, but I joined this one. I hope that this site is as helpful as it looks and that the people are as nice as they seem. I took the leap, I am officially going to start this thing. And this time, I am going to stick with it. And boy am I scared.

Peace, love, and weight loss!:wave:

Hiya Alley :)

Welcome to diettalk! I've been on this website since January and I've found it to be by far the most supportive group on the Internet!

Well it sounds like you've got your plan down so that's always good. Have you talked to a doctor about what you should be eating?? If you haven't, I think sticking to the food groups and all of that stuff we learned in school is a great way to go. I think trying to stick to a diet that restricts certain kinds of foods (and I mean whole groups of food...) doesn't teach you how to change your entire eating lifestyle... you're going to eat for the rest of your life.. it's good to learn how to eat for your lifetime. :)

You've mentioned a lot about how your eating will change, but what about exercise?? That was always the challenge for me.. making myself get off my butt and out for a walk!

Anyway, I think i've blabbed on enough... keep us updated and I wish you luck! :)

BTW.... size 0 shouldn't even exsist... blah! :) hehe

alley, welcome!! im excited to hear about your goals and plans!! if you need any help figuring out what to eat or anything like that just let us know..we love to help!! im particularly known for giving people advice even if they DONT ask for it lol...:o

oh by the way, my highest weight was 320 also..so we have that in common..even if i am old enough to be your mom...well, just wanted to say hi back and let you know we are glad you found us!! :up:

WTG, Alley!!! You've mapped out an impressive plan and you are ASSURED TO SUCCEED!!! (I have a crystal ball and I checked on that, yup, YOU WILL SUCCEED!!!) :up:

I agree with Buttercup that size 0 doesn't exist ... the clothing manufacturers just made it up ... it seems to me that a size zero person wouldn't exist in space at all ... also agree that exercise will help at some point in your plan as long as the doctor gives an ok and when you feel ready ... it's important to talk to the doc about it before starting anything and not to do anything until given the go-ahead. For now, you should get some really good results just with your food plan!!!

:cheers:

Hello and Welcome, Alley.

You are getting some great advice here. And I will add my $.02 worth.

Keep your eyes firmly fixed on your goals. Do not let yourself be distracted by life. You have chosen to do something very important and you must be focused to succeed. It will not be easy, but then nothing that is worth while is ever easy.

If Sooz is old enough to be your mom, just figure that I am an "extra grandma" for you. Keep us posted, and good luck.
:D

sounds like you have a great plan!! --I also second Buttercup's exercise? question; even with extra weight, there are water programs and exercise tapes that can gently work you...slow steps are the most sure way to make progress. The forums are fun to browse, and there's a thread called the tight jeans challenge, which is kind of fun and right up your alley, as to your goals. This is a great place for daily motivation. Welcome!!

Hi there fellow KS girl!! Great to see you here. I agree w/ everyone else in that the support you will find here is wonderful!!!!!!!:up: Whether I'm doing good or having a rougher time, I know I can come here and write it down. That alone helps to make me feel better, but seems like there is always someone that will respond with positive words or tell me how to solve the problem I was whining about!:D

I know what you mean about the carbs :o I could live on potato's, corn, and bread! All of which I'm told I don't need to eat alot of!!!I've always been a very, very picky eater, so I'm trying a new food every month, and then will move it up to every week...:) I've found that the baby carrots my walmart super center carries are so good and sweet that I don't need dressing w/ them...just a suggestion. I also agree w/ the question on exercising...maybe a walk, or even to start w/ some weights??? Just a thought!

Congrats on getting married!

If you ever need to talk...feel free to email me!

Okay, I'm a blonde!!! I was going to tell you about www.fitday.com you might find it useful! You can register for free (who doesn't love that word!!) and log your calories and keep track of your exercise there.

I don't know how true everyone else has found this, but I was warned by my doctor not to stress about the calories the site list for exercising. Everyone burns calories at differant rates. So I just log in what I did there and the time....that way I can always look back and see what I've done.

Anyway, hope that helps!!!

Wanted to clarify that I'm NOT against exercise (was afraid my post sounded that way), just that there's no particular hurry and the doc's advice is needed before starting! :) But I'm the LAST person who'd advocate against exercise ... just signed up for five more weeks of personal training. That's really a good option, too, it's so motivating and helpful if you get the right person for you!

Also, re exercise, I was wondering if you'd explored water aerobics or aquasize classes at a local gym or Y? At my fitness center, they have people in all phases of fitness in these and it seems very helpful to them and they are supervised and not likely to overdo while they are getting fit. They are not expensive classes ... just a thought!

See, I also am old enough to be your mom and like to give advice, solicited or unsolicited! :)

Keep going and keep updating us on your progress.

I am planning on walking. I want to start out at half a mile. And work my way up to a minium of 2+ miles a day. There is an outdoor rubber 1/4 mile track 2 blocks from my house. And when I get used to my 2+ miles a day, I will be heading out on the streets. We have some mighty big hills for a state that everyone thinks is so flat. And once I reach my size 22 jeans goal, I will be starting the Taebo workout tapes. I bought them 2 years ago, and they are still wrapped in the plastic. I will try to do a little of those tapes a few times a week, and then that will be my workout for when it is extremely hot, cold, or wet. I am not walking in freezing temps, I am not walking in 100 degree weather with 90% humidity, and I might think I might be part witch, cause I might melt if I get real wet.

Alley

Welcome to the group, Alley!

This is a great place for support and new ideas.

It sounds like you have a good plan. Eliminating refined carbs is a great idea. My tip would be to keep a food journal. It really helps to see on paper what you've been eating. I know I tend to underestimate what I'm eating if I'm keeping track in my head.

Take care!
Kristine

Hi Alley,

I am very excited for you. I think the fact that you have thought this thing through and have decided to do it for your health will carry you through to meet your goal. Confronting the scale is a big step and congratulations on it!!! It's hard for me too. I joined DT not too long ago and the people and topics are wonderful. Great info. and great opportunities to exchange info. I think the fact that you don't expect to lose the weight in the first week with eating only bean sprouts (apologies to the bean sprout lovers) is totally realistic and will ensure that you lose at steady pace and help in keeping it off. That is enough time to change your eating habits which is what I am struggling with myself. Oh, and what a great idea as far as putting away $10.00 a week. Instead of treating yourself to a cheat meal treat yourself to clothes, great idea!!! Good for you Alley and best of luck!!!

Your exercise plan sounds very well planned and reasonable to accomplish! :)

Welcome to Diet Talk! Diet Talk is absolutely the best diet forum on the entire Internet! IMO :D You have come to the right place!

Alley, since you have not decided on any particular plan "per say", why don't you come to the "No Diet Approach" here on Diet Talk forum and join us. We are people who are tired of being on every diet you can name and yo yo dieting and bingeing etc. What our goal is on that site is to eat healthier and be conscious of the portions. Also, exercise and drinking water.

Alley, it would be a good place to start, until you decide you want to get on any particular program.

Also, I might add, I did find out recently, that if your doctor approves you to go to Weight Watchers or any other weight loss group that does cost, you may deduct that off of your income tax now. :D

Good LUCK

Hello, i lived in Kansas 23 yrs, welcome to a wonderfulplace, i must say we have great people in this site! All i would like to say is, ease into the exercise if you have not been doing any. start slow and add weekly to length and speed with your walking, can be as little as an extra tree length and the last 100 yrds speed up, just do it consistantly. i had always been a couch potao, it took me ten months before i realized i was enjoying it! when i started out i could only go two homes from mine, at goal since march '97