Hello all,

I've just joined this board and I'd like to introduce myself. :wave:

A little about me:

First, I'm an American happily married to my husband who (if you haven't guessed by now) hails from England. We'll be celebrating our second anniversary in just over a month!

Second, I am very overweight. I know I don't look like I weigh as much as I do but that does not alter the fact that I weigh nearly 250 lbs. Before I gained all of the weight I am now carrying around, I was active, healthy, and in excellent shape -- I even taught aerobics throughout my 20s. I weighed 118 lbs until I turned 31 (long story) and I am completely okay with the fact that I may never see that number on the scale again (at least not when I'm standing on it!). I do want to lose between 105 and 120 pounds.

While I'd love to find a quick fix, I know that's not the right answer. I'm okay with the fact that this is going to take a while and I've broken my big goal down into more manageable chunks. My very first goal was to up my water intake and force myself to get at least 7.5 hours of sleep each night -- this alone has done wonders for my energy level so, hooray, mission accomplished! My next goal was and will continue to be reducing my fanatical intake of potatoes. I'm not a *carb* addict per se -- I couldn't care less about bread or other starchy things... in fact, too much starchy food makes me gag. But give me a potatoe (doesn't matter if it's fried, baked, mashed, crisps; I love them all without discrimination!) and I am one happy girl. So I am slowly but surely breaking this addictive love affair I've been carrying on with potatoes. I am also walking 3 - 5 miles per day. So far, I've noticed that my legs are looking GORGEOUS. My arms are a bit better, too, but I haven't noticed much changing around my waistline yet.

The first really exciting goal for me doesn't have nearly as much to do with the number on the scale as it has to do with my clothes -- I want very much for my pants to feel loose in the waist by Christmas.

Last but not least, I should warn you: I never did learn the fine art of "keeping it short and sweet" so my threads have a tendency to ramble. You've been duly warned! :laugh:

That's me in a nutshell - nice to meet you all!

You got a reasonable plan keep it up.

:welcome:

Thank you for the welcomes -- is this an active board, so-so, not so much? I'd like to know because I am really hoping to find a group of people who are actively online supporting each other and setting small, weekly goals together. Any information anyone can provide would be great!

Oh this site is pretty darn active. I find this site to be awesome support! :)

:welcome:

Welcome BrummysBride.
As far as sites go there may be some bigger ones but none better by far. Since you like to gab, like myself, consider starting a journal in the journal section. Also you can join a challenge in the challenge or exercise sections. In the walking section, there is a walk everyday thread. Where we post how many minutes or miles we go each day. Walking is one of my favorite things to do btw. Lots of support here, so enjoy exploring this site.

This is a pretty active site, just seems Sundays are alot slower than other days.

Exactly what I was looking for, Darlene -- thanks! (and yes, I do have the gift of gab, no doubt about it)

Well I will gab with you anytime. And just keep at it, you will lose what you want. Just takes some time, and some patience. One step backwards, two step forwards. And it all works out in the end. But only with patience. I can give the advice of patience but cannot take it though. LOL. You will find what is best for you in this journey.

Thanks again for the encouraging wisdom -- I've started my journal by writing a letter to my future self. I've set a monthly goal and I'm going to commit to posting my goal progress as close to every day as I can.

Day one tomorrow -- wish me luck and perseverence!

Hi :wave: & :welcome:

I must say this site is as active to each person as they want it to be - there are always challenges and such going on and the support - wow ! It is just :super: Jump in with both feet and maybe visit some journals and get to know some of us as well as consider joining a challenge or 2 and soon you will see you just thought you were long winded lol :laugh: ( meaning there are those of us here who are too ) ;)

You have wonderful goals and a great attitude - you CAN do this ! :D

PS: examples of some challenges here:

1. there is a monthly water drinking challenge

2. monthly walking challenge

3. a end of the year weight loss challenge ( way wait until the new year )

just to name a few........ :)

Thank you so much!! I can't wait to get more actively involved -- I work long hours and sometimes don't have time to post (firewalls are up at the office, preventing us from posting to message boards) but on the weekends I go nuts :laugh:

Gotta get my beauty rest tonight but I'll be back online bright & early tomorrow!