A skeptic or a true believer...

Well hello everyone! I am a 21 year old female from the east coast. I'm a writer, a Virgo, and an utter mess...I've been using this service for a while, during the times I flirt with changing my lifestyle and finally beginning my life. I have been telling myself since I was in the 3rd grade that I was going to make a drastic change. For some reason.. it is never done. I think I get preoccupied, and I have done so for this long, all the distractions. Now I am in college and still doing poorly with my health. I'm definitely in for a long journey that needs consistent everyday motivation. I do want it. I need this. I hate how unhealthy I am. I feel huge. I know I just have to focus. Concentration is my daunting area of non expertise..

I use the computer everyday and intermittently used calorie counters but never ventured to an online support system. I am going to try it. I never thought it would work for me but right now it might be the key. I won't even get into the rest for now, but if you're curious, hopefully we'll get to know each other.

Thanks for stopping by

Bugcakes, why do you think you're waiting to start your life? Your life started 21 years ago. Life happens all the time whether you're waiting for it or experiencing it. Make sure you're experiencing it, otherwise you'll find that you missed it.

Definitely take advantage of everything this site has to offer. I joined quite a while ago, but it's only been since June that I really got serious about watching what I eat. Since then, I've lost 20 pounds. This really can work if you record what you eat, and keep track of your exercise. It's been key to me.

Just please, don't wait to make a drastic change before you start enjoying your life. Weight loss and getting in shape can be great motivators, but the real motivation has to come from within.

Good luck and welcome!!

Ahhhhh I realize this...and I do love my current life. But I feel like my happiness has turned to complacence and has allowed me to accept things I desperately want to change. I have felt for a long time that I am waiting for something to happen. I just recently discovered it is up to me to make that thing come true. I have the control, somewhere I know I do

Thank you for your comment. It reminds me that the journey is part of the end result; that is what makes it so rewarding. I lost 25 pounds over the summer. This month was rough, I gained 5 back. I started in May though and I was getting somewhere. I feel discouraged at how long it takes but I know you don't gain it all in a day and you can't lose it all in one day.

I hope you have continued success in using this site, as I am wishing to do for myself!

Oh good! I'm glad you realize that and that you love your current life. It's very sad when you end up looking back at your life and wish you hadn't waited.

I actually weigh myself every single day, but I only record a weight change when it has stayed at or below a certain weight for three days. That has helped me keep on track.

I also do a process where I vary how many calories I eat, my week looks something like this 1000, 950, 1100, 1050, 1200, 1250, 1300. I try to average around 1100 calories per day over the course of a week. I don't worry about it being under 1200, because I'm certain that I probably underestimate how many calories I actually eat.

Additionally, I don't eat after 8pm or before 10am.

I changed to this method about two months ago when the scale stopped moving downward, and I saw it starting to move up. This put me right back on track, and since I started, my weight only fluctuates upward by a pound or two, but then goes right back down.

You are 100% right that you have the control and that it's up to you to make whatever it is you want come true. Just make sure you're enjoying the process...oftentimes the journey is the destination. And if that's the case, we need to make sure the journey is as interesting as where we're going!!!