Second Go Around - Looking for Online Support/Friends
Miranda_the_Phoenix
Posts: 32 Member
Hi everyone, I'm Miranda. I'm 35 and have decided to lose weight (again) because of the numerous health problems I'm experiencing and so that I can be active and enjoy life again. So I've started with MFP, am keeping an estimate of my daily calories and am working out at home on my elliptical machine. I have dropped a few pounds but I know that the journey will be a long one.
I've done this all before, starting about 10 years ago. From 2002 to 2003 I lost 200 pounds through diet and exercise. I completely changed my life and it was the most wonderful thing that had ever happened to me. But I was strict.... soooo strict. I never allowed myself to go out with friends or do anything that would challenge me to try moderation. I just counted every calorie and never ate so much as a tootsie roll, not ever. I also spent 6-7 days a week working out, about 3 hours a day between cardio, weights and kickboxing or step.
That was all fine and good then when I had the time to do it, but after I lost the weight I moved to Atlanta, got a new job, started a new life, and still didn't know how to make good choices for myself outside the crazy limited diet I had created. My social life bloomed but I was so excited to be thin and active that I went where I thought the fun was, out with my new friends to the bar. Needless to say I was not counting my calories or going to the gym that often, there were so many new wonderful things to do! I finally had guys paying attention to me and got a boyfriend, but he was the wrong one, he was judgmental of my body even after all I had done and finally he broke my heart eventually, dumped me flat after 3 years in 2008. I spiraled down into depression and found that my bar friends were not the good solid friends you really need in life, so they basically disappeared. I self medicated through food and was so far from home that my only real support was my little dog, Abita. I kept my life together for the most part but nursed my broken heart all the way back up to 400+ pounds. Lucky for me, a nice guy came along who didn't care about my weight.... but finally I realized that I had to start caring about it again, just for me....I need to not think of myself anymore as that worthless, emotional girl who was dumped and was never good enough anyway because she bore the scars left by stretch marks and saggy skin and who would probably gain the weight back anyway. Well I did gain the weight back, but the time is past for blaming myself and pitying myself and dwelling in the anger that I felt so rightfully was mine. I am now going to reclaim my life for the second time, only this time I have more supportive friends to start with and will have to use moderation. I have neither the time nor the inclination to do this the radical way again. This has to be the last time in my life that I lose this weight, so whatever I do I have to be able to do forever. I can talk to friends about my progress because I have made some new wonderful (sober) friends... but most of them don't know where I've been emotionally or physically. I need the support of a group like this one to make this work. I hope that by putting my story out there I will get some friend requests from people who understand where I'm coming from and are willing to give and receive active support.... I've lost about 15 pounds so far and I don't want it to end here. Thanks for reading...
2001
2004
2009
Now
I've done this all before, starting about 10 years ago. From 2002 to 2003 I lost 200 pounds through diet and exercise. I completely changed my life and it was the most wonderful thing that had ever happened to me. But I was strict.... soooo strict. I never allowed myself to go out with friends or do anything that would challenge me to try moderation. I just counted every calorie and never ate so much as a tootsie roll, not ever. I also spent 6-7 days a week working out, about 3 hours a day between cardio, weights and kickboxing or step.
That was all fine and good then when I had the time to do it, but after I lost the weight I moved to Atlanta, got a new job, started a new life, and still didn't know how to make good choices for myself outside the crazy limited diet I had created. My social life bloomed but I was so excited to be thin and active that I went where I thought the fun was, out with my new friends to the bar. Needless to say I was not counting my calories or going to the gym that often, there were so many new wonderful things to do! I finally had guys paying attention to me and got a boyfriend, but he was the wrong one, he was judgmental of my body even after all I had done and finally he broke my heart eventually, dumped me flat after 3 years in 2008. I spiraled down into depression and found that my bar friends were not the good solid friends you really need in life, so they basically disappeared. I self medicated through food and was so far from home that my only real support was my little dog, Abita. I kept my life together for the most part but nursed my broken heart all the way back up to 400+ pounds. Lucky for me, a nice guy came along who didn't care about my weight.... but finally I realized that I had to start caring about it again, just for me....I need to not think of myself anymore as that worthless, emotional girl who was dumped and was never good enough anyway because she bore the scars left by stretch marks and saggy skin and who would probably gain the weight back anyway. Well I did gain the weight back, but the time is past for blaming myself and pitying myself and dwelling in the anger that I felt so rightfully was mine. I am now going to reclaim my life for the second time, only this time I have more supportive friends to start with and will have to use moderation. I have neither the time nor the inclination to do this the radical way again. This has to be the last time in my life that I lose this weight, so whatever I do I have to be able to do forever. I can talk to friends about my progress because I have made some new wonderful (sober) friends... but most of them don't know where I've been emotionally or physically. I need the support of a group like this one to make this work. I hope that by putting my story out there I will get some friend requests from people who understand where I'm coming from and are willing to give and receive active support.... I've lost about 15 pounds so far and I don't want it to end here. Thanks for reading...
2001
2004
2009
Now
0
Replies
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Please feel free to add me. I'm also new to the site. You are in good company here! :-)0
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COUNT ME IN........This is what we r here for..........ADD ME0
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You can add me....we can help eachother0
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Why is it so easy to eat the weight back. You weigh and its only 1 pound then 10 and then you are out of control. Wish you luck .:flowerforyou:0
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The more support, the better! You can feel free to add me as well
We are all here to support and motivate each other! 0 -
count me in! it's tough but the right thing to do!0
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i too am trying to lose the second time around. I would love to give and get support. Count me in.0
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Good for you for keeping at it. I have only ever tried half heartedly, so this time its all new for me... Add me, i have no experience at weight loss, and could do with some friends on here....0
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One thing I love here is all of the motivational support!!! I love to go the the inspiring stories & request friends from the ones who have proven to be successful. When I grow up I want to be just like them! LOL!!! Anyone is welcome to add me as well... Im no guru, just an average girl on a fantastic body transforming journey!!! Blessings!!!0
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I totally understand your story, but hey, the great news is that you KNOW that you can do it! And you've got a huge group of people willing to support you through it. Just take it one day at a time, and know that you're awesome no matter what.0
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you can do this:flowerforyou: add me too0
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I'm also new! Feel free to add me! Support makes everything easier. Especially because we know what you're going through. 0
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Thanks everyone for the lovely replies and friend requests... I can already see that this is a very supportive community! 0
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please add me. I love support and motivation! We can all do it together!0
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Feel free to add me too - I'm also just starting (I'm about 15 lbs into a 70 or 80 lb journey) the second time around! I'm new here too and hoping the social and community aspects will be helpful!0
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Count me in!! I can also do with some supportive friends here!!0
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You can add me as well...everyone needs support!0
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I just joined. You can add me!0
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Hello!0
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Hi Miranda :flowerforyou:
Feel free to add me - I have about 165pounds to lose so need all the support I can get and am always here to support back.
You can do this !!!!!0 -
Please add me as well. We can support eachother. This is my first day. I'm excited to see what can happen.0
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add me i am new on here0
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