Hi :wave: My name is Nicole, I’m 21, and I have 47.5 pounds to go. LOL
That’s the truth, even though I’m joking around a little bit. I’ve struggled with my weight almost as long as I can remember. It has been the cause of a lot of low self-esteem, depression, and plain ole heartache over the years. I have pants in my closet ranging from four different sizes. I managed to lose 60lbs my 10th grade year in high school by taking herbs before they discovered one of the ingredients was really dangerous. I gradually put it all back on after about a year or so. I get easily frustrated and discouraged since then because it doesn’t just fall off like before. However, I have gotten to the point now that I am ready to make life style changes to accomplish my goals. I want to do it not only for my appearance and self-esteem but for my health and well being as well. Diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, etc all run in my family. So here I am. (Btw… am I the only one who is deeply touched by the Jenny Craig commercial? You know the one that has the music in the background and the words flashing up?) So anyways..
I have been reading a great book, Scale Down: A Realistic Guide to Balancing Body, Soul, and Spirit, that has really been an inspiration to me. I love it because it combines my spiritual faith with my weight loss goals. I saw the author speak on TV and that was what really helped me to decide to get serious about this and make some healthy lifestyle changes.
Some of the biggest problems I face are exercising and keeping track of what I eat. I stay really busy. I’m not really home until after 7 on most nights. I go to college full-time and work part-time at City Hall. I’m involved in our BSU at school as well as my church. That makes it hard to exercise… especially when I hate doing it. I’ve been keeping a food journal lately and have been trying to count calories. I do pretty good until supper. Then I get confused on how much of what is a serving and how many calories a serving is with this added, etc.
Well, there’s my background. I look forward to getting to know you all as we journey down this process together! Wow, that was kindof long. Those of you who make it to the end get a cookie… err apple… and a bottle of water.:winking:
11:17 pm
Nice to “meet” you! It sounds like you’re got a good handle on what you need to do, way to go!
Welcome!
7:57 am
Nice to meet you, Nicole! :wave: Good luck on your journey … I’m going to look for that book. Sounds good. If you’re looking for a great (free) program to track your calories, check out Spark People. It’s very good.
8:14 am
Hi Nicole :hug:
I know you’re on the right track already, I can only suggest at this point to count your calories before hand. Plan out a reasonable, non-fat/low-sodium daily menu and make everything for the week on Saturday - and just put it in containers and bring it with you. I know you’re hugely busy so grabbing things from vending machines etc. is convenient, so in order to make the changes you want to make - make it convenient.
Welcome aboard!
10:12 am
Thanks guys! That’s a great idea Leanne. And mom would love it. The most dreaded question around here is “What do you want for dinner?” LOL
10:18 am
:wave:Nicole, I can tell I am going to like you. I am glad you are here. I do WW and I have found an online place that helps me keep track of my food. It is called SparkPeople
You don’t have to do WW to use it and it is free. It is really awesome and a good resource.
Anyway, glad to meet you and good luck in your journey. I look forward to getting to know you.
12:44 pm
Nicole, I can answer that dinner question for you:
4 oz. Chicken boneless skinless chicken breast, 1/2 cup of plain brown rice, 1-2 cups of steamed veggies, and 20 ounces of ice cold water!
:p
2:00 pm
:wave: Welcome Nicole! You’ve come to a great place with a lot of really nice ladies and a lot of good tips and information. It sounds like you have many of the same problems as most people who are overweight so dont feel alone :winking: Anything you lose will help you feel better about yourself and in many other ways. Good luck and hang in there and don’t give up. You have one advantage in that you are young and the weight comes off faster and the sooner you get a handle on it the better. The best of success to you. It won’t all happen overnight but it will happen sooner than you think. I look forward to getting to know you.
7:38 pm
Welcome and we’re happy to have you here. We have a very supportive group!
12:37 am
Thanks for the link Shelli. Leanne, can you plan out my meals for a week? That sounds yummy. Thanks for the encouragment and the warm welcome Sue. Thanks Running2K’s, I’m happy to be here. :friends:
2:50 am
Welcome Nicole!
Good luck on your journey, as the other ladies have already said, this is a great group - don’t be afraid to post even if you do have a slip up cause these girls will pick you right back up and point you in the right direction again!
Exercising is my biggest problem, I have 2 young daughters so the only exercise I am able to get is pushing them in the double buggy or dancing with my toddler to boogies beebies on the TV! :shame:
Look forward to getting to know you!
Take Care
Nikki