Hi everyone--I decided to post my story here because, after struggling with my weight since I was a toddler, I actually have hope for the first time that I can lose this weight. I have tried just about every diet out there. The latest ones I tried were low carb diets, and I just couldn't do it. I know they work for some of you out there-and I am not talking bad about them, I think it's great if you found a plan you can stick with-but in my case I just couldn't stick with the restrictions. KNowing I can't have something makes me want it more.

So I decided to try Weight Watchers. I watched my sister-in-law lose 40 pounds in about 6 months on WW and was very impressed with her. So I started it (the online only version) on July 6th. To date I have officially lost 13 pounds. (Really more like 15 since the scale I initially weighed-in on was 2 pounds off). I still have a long ways to go, since I need to lose about 100 pounds all together. But the difference this time is that I am feeling good about it.

I know I can do this the rest of my life. I have accepted the fact that I am not one of those people who can eat whatever they want and not gain weight. I can't diet, loose the weight, and then start eating junk food again. Nothing will change that. But I am alot better off than some in this world. I will have to watch what I eat and exercise for the rest of my life. But somehow I just know it will be worth all this hard work to be healthy.

Back to WW-This is the easiest diet I have ever done. Not that it is easy-just the easiest. No foods are off limits for me, but I often CHOOSE to avoid unhealthy foods now, because that means I will not be able to eat much later. Many of my old favorites (pepsi, chips) are just not worth it anymore. For the first time in my life it seems, I am not stuffed full of greasy food. It was an odd sensation at first, but now I am used to it and I like it.

I was considering seeing a doctor about weight loss surgery before I started WW. But I decided to give this a try, and I am so happy that I did. I have had my slip-ups this month. I am a binge eater. But I still lost 13 pounds in one month, and I am just amazed. If you have never tried WW, or even if you have and you quit, please give it a try. I wish I could explain how hard it is for me to stick to a diet-I have no willpower, or at least I thought I didn't. I honestly wasn't expecting this to work. I know what it is like to get all excited about a new diet, only to give up and feel even worse about yourself. But this is working for me, and now I really do have hope that I can lose this weight. I just wanted to share my story in case there is anyone out there who might be interested. take care!

That is SO AWESOME!!! Way to go...I know how hard it is! When you have 100 to lose, as I do too, I think any healthy eating plan that makes sense to YOU and gets the weight off is great! I couldn't do the no/low carb thing either. I'm on day 2 of my new program...just following the good old fashioned eat healthy, drink water, balance the carbs/protein/fat way. It is extremely hard, but as badly as I sometimes crave certain things, I also CRAVE being 100 pounds lighter, and I know we can do it!!! :)

MrsLee...I am so glad to hear you are doing so well and losing 13 pounds in a month or 15 pounds is wonderful. I can't express enough how happy I am for you that you have hope. I to myself have hope and I'm not going to let it fade out this time. I'm 26 years old and about 5'6. I weigh 210 so I am hoping to lose 70 pounds.
Please keep us posted on your success! :)

Christin--That is so right about finding a diet that works for you. Of course, some are healthier than others, but if you find a reasonable one you can stick to, then great!

I do not have the will power to make up my own plan and stick to it. I used to think I was too smart to do something like WW where someone is going to tell me how much and what I can eat. But it is really giving me options. I can have anything, but I know the consequences now. I passed up french fries last night, and I didn't even really want them. I guess I just needed the structure.

Christin-your comment about craving being 100 pounds thinner reminded me of something I read not too long ago. Someone basically said : So what if you don't feel working out? You also don't like being overweight, unhealthy. You don't like shopping in the plus size section. You don't like your thighs rubbing together, etc etc etc.... You just have to remind yourself a lot sometimes about what you are working for, and not let something stupid like cookies and potato chips keep you from your goal.

West virginia girl--thanks for posting. I am 22. I am 5'4" and weigh 232-I'm hoping to get to 145, or maybe lower depending how I feel and look when I get there.

It's a long road, but there are many others who have done it, and there is no reason why I can't. I have wasted so much of my life failing at this, and I will not fail again.

MrsLee...you have a wonderful attitude about losing weight and I think thats the main ingredients in all this. Mind over body so to speak. I just get so confused on whats the best route to take when it comes to eating healthy and exercising. Its really overwhelming when you read things and one says yes do this and the other says no thats not good for you. I have found out from personal experience there is no pill going to make anything better. But still I search for that one little pill that just may make things a little better and I don't know why. I am in a good place in my mind right now on the out look of living a healthier life I just hope I continue to think like this. I have a problem with one day just waking up and not caring anymore. I guess thats my depression talking but it effects everything in my life. I start with the questions ...Whats the use in losing weight? Who Cares? and then it all goes down hill and I know the answers I don't want to die from this and have so many problems that it makes me not have a real life and for the second answer....I CARE! I care about myself. I just hope I can continue.

West virginia girl--hey girl, I have the same issues with waking up and feeling like not doing it anymore! Maybe that's why my weight has flucuated like it has over the years. All I know is that it sucks being overweight, and I am NOT going to do it anymore.

I have problems with depression too, and I know what it is like to wake up and not give a cr@p about anything. I know losing the weight won't solve all my problems or automatically make me happy, but I think it will help. I have made myself accountable to my husband. When I feel like giving in, he tells me I can't. Do you have someone you can be accountable to?

It is frsutrating all the information out there that conflicts. I have read a lot of it, and though I understand the concepts, I decided to quit trying to make up my own program based on it all, because that just wasn't working for me. I picked a plan, and I decided I will follow it exactly.

I constantly remind myself that my life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. It's a struggle to stay positive-but I will do it this time. I know you can do it too. Everyone has setbacks-but think of it as a marathon, not a sprint (I don't know if I said that right). Another thing that helps is to read other people's success stories about losing weight. I am always telling myself-if this person can do it, why can't I? Well I wish yoou the best of luck-take care!