From Tay, Age 16 - 08/20/12 - IP#: 208.54.37.xxx  Click here to reply  
Ht. 5'3", Start: 180 lb, Today: 180 lb (BMI %tile: 98), Goal: 130 lb - Hello, my name Taylor but everyone calls me "Tay". I'm actually not new to this site because I found it a couple of months ago but
I was too embarrassed to tell people my story. I know what you're thinking, how stupid, right? Well I have a really low self-esteem, and i constantly avoid the subject of my weight. I've been dieting and struggling with my weight for years. I finally want to put an end to the vicious cycle. I'm going to be a Junior this year and I really want to reach my goal by the beginning of Senior year. High school hasn't been that enjoyable for me because of my weight and I really want enjoy my last year. Give me some tips that help during this daunting journey to a healthier me :).
Reply from bay, Age 22 - 10/23/12  - IP#: 142.129.163.xxx
Hi Tay,
I totally get what you're saying about your weight making you have low self-esteem. It happened to me too but I didn't start doing something about it until I graduated from college some months ago- and I feel so much better now. Before you get started, you should understand that you have plenty of time to reach your ideal weight without starving yourself. You're super young, so don't get frustrated during your weight loss journey. It may take several months or even years for you to reach your ideal weight, and that is totally OKAY!! As long as you start eating healthy (cut out all the junk food, sweets, sugary drinks) and exercise every day, you will definitely lose weight. Now, of course this is a lot harder than it sounds. You must have a very strong motivation to be able to lose 50 lbs. Losing weight is all about determination and willpower. You can do it, girl!
Just a few pieces of advice:
- it may be helpful if you don't set a deadline (in your case, the beginning of your senior year) for your weight loss. If you do, you will find it very frustrating if things don't turn out as smooth in 12 months as you want/expect them to be. The human body is quite amazing at adapting to changes in calorie intake and metabolism, so it is likely that at some point your weight loss will slow down and plateau. This can definitely be overcome, but don't get frustrated if this happens during the 12-month weight loss period you're proposing.
- there are a million ways to stay motivated while you're losing weight. You should read tons of fitness magazines and websites (Livestrong.com is my favorite) and success storied from people who have succeeded in losing weight. This helps me stay motivated every day!
- Lastly, make sure you talk to your family about your weight loss plan. They should understand that you're trying to make an important change in your health and they should support you in every way they can (for example, your parents should avoid bringing in junk food to the house so you don't feel tempted). It also helps when your family joins you during a workout.
I really hope everything goes well. You can do it, girl!
 
Reply from Jessica, Age 16 - 08/20/12  - IP#: 184.6.214.xxx
Tay small healthy portions for your meals, drink lots of water, start excirseing very slow, walking, slow running, not to fast, 5-10 miuntes the first time once your body gets use to the excrise you want to incruse your excrise,,, when you feel that bingey feeling drink a glass of water, chew sugarless gum, tic tack one tic tack, sour mint, one sitck of gum per day a wek, it works a lot for me, what I did to movate me to not give up was look at my favortie store dELiA's catalog!!! , yes I picture myself wearing that size L!!! or M!!! Juniours!!!! it not going to happen overnight, ... Just take it one day at a time, one pound at a time, consder this a life change!! Tay.
Jessica17.