New member, striving for health. 80+ to lose.

Hi, I'm new to this site and hoping to find some like-minded people to share this weight loss and health-gain journey with. I grew up fit and relatively slim, but starting putting on weight in my twenties. By my 30s, I was overweight and uncomfortable with my new figure. I joined MFD (a different logging site) at 197 lbs in '08 and successfully lost 30 pounds. I was well on my way to my goal weight, but unfortunately I gave up, gained back all 30 lbs, and then proceeded to gain 37 MORE lbs since then. Now at 234 lbs, I am disgusted with myself for letting it get to this point.

I will be 40 next month and I really want to march proudly into my 40s with a healthy new lifestyle.

I also want to be a positive role model for my youngest relatives, some of whom are already struggling with weight at a very young age. I don't have children of my own, but I can make a difference by being a living example of successfully taking control of one's own health.

I feel hopeful, I feel fat, I feel older than I am, I feel like eating potato chips, I feel like none of my clothes fit me, I feel like I can probably do this if I set my mind to it, and I feel like reaching out to a few people who are interested in sharing a journey toward health.

NW