I'm 18 years old, at 295lbs and have NO IDEA WHERE TO START...........
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Welcome Megan!!!!
I feel you came to the right place. I have been a member of buddyslim for only a day, but the support, encouragement, and motivation is truly inspiring. I am 26 yrs old and I weigh 384 pounds. I have been heavy all my life and I am ready to do somethng about it. I have tried every diet imaginable ( I would yield some results) but I always ended up right back where I started. I was trying to lose weight for the wrong reasons. Well, I got a notebook and started journaling and asking myself the following quesitons--1. why is weight loss important to me 2. How is losing weight going to effect my life, my emotions, my perception of myself, my happines 3. What was I willing to give up to attain this goal... and before I knew... tears were flowing and I felt free. I was able to be honest with myself and I feel more confident on this effort to lose weight...
My advice... have a deep, honest conversation with yourself..... and all your answers will unfold in front of you... and then you make the first step to be victorios
Good Luck
Josie[I

Ladies, my words of advice for both of you...
Please please please dont wait to do something about it!!!
Seriously, you both are soooooooooooo young...I have very few regrets in life, but one I do have is I wasted my 20\'s being trapped in a \"fat\" body that didnt feel like it belonged...I didnt do all the things with all the people I could have and should have...
I didnt start my journey until I was 32...And I will certainly appreciate my 30\'s better then ever because of it, but man...If I could go back, I would have begun this journey or ATTEMPTED this journey long long long before I did...
Life is too short to waste one moment of it not happy with who you are...Inside and out...
Good luck to you both!!!
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Megan,
I just want to say good for you for wanting to get at it and do something while you are young. I was always overweight and had no idea what to do, but I never was able to accomplish anything but the yo-yo effect because i never really liked myself and didnt think anyone else did either. How wrong I was. I know now that I have so much going for me and I only wish I had the self esteem and self respect back when I was younger . But, now that I do, it is amazing what I have accomplished! and you can too. I know you can do it. Just keep the faith and when you get down on yourself just come on in here and write to one of us or more and we will be happy to give you a boost!!! Good Luck Hun....
Cora

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hey! Just want to say i can honestly relate to how you are feeling. I used to have a nice figure yet i have always been a big girl and after i had my beautiful daughter the weight just piled up and after nearly 4 years i am in desperate need to shift it. Well done on doing this, loosing weight isnt easy for anyone its a big challenge but with the right support and guidance you'll make it

Having trouble on knowing where to start? Go to your local book store and see if there is something there for you. Bob Greene's book might be good for you to look at too. His is basic workout and eating right ideas. I believe his latest book has a good approach at easing into diet and fitness and then you work your way up. But, either way, research how much calories and fat grams you need, and start moving like doing some walking. Cut out sweets and quit fast foods. I wish you luck in whatever you choose.

I encourage anyone who is having trouble getting started to go out to the library or book store and get "You on a diet", and Bob Greene's book, "The best life diet". These two books were fantastic, and helped me get started. I also urge to stop eating sugary sweets, cakes, cookies...all that stuff. No more fast food until you know how to eat healthy at fast food places, and no more soda. No soda ever, not even diet. I can't stress how important it is to stay away from the stuff.

Also, get moving. Take the stairs whenever you can, park in the furthest parking spot rather than the closest. Whatever you can do to get more activity into your daily routines, do it.

It's not easy, especially at first. But if it were easy, would we appreciate the results as much?

Happiness does not come from doing easy work but from the afterglow of satisfaction that comes after the achievement of a difficult task that demanded our best. - Theodore I. Rubin

Katy, Josie, Megan... I'm glad to see other young girls out there... I've always felt like the only younger person who struggles... like "I'm still young so how can I have ruined my body already" type thing... I don't really know where to start either Megan, but I'm hoping some new friends and support is the way to go!

Hi Guys! I'm new as well. I'm really looking for people in the same situation to help get me throught this. I'm really ready to do something about my weight! SO if you are looking for someone who is gung ho and going strong then feel free to buddy up with me

You made a life changing decision by deciding to lose weight, you should be proud of yourself!