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Hello Everyone. I've been lurking on the OH boards for a while and finally decided to post after reading a post on the main board about everyone's most embarrassing "fat" moments. That post make me so sad and angry. It made me remember all the humiliation I've endured. I realized that I needed the support of others like me to help me with my struggle to lose weight and this board seems to be the place to find it seeing as how most everyone here is or has been serverly or morbidly obese and surgery isn't their path right now. I'll be 20 on the 23rd of December and have been severely obese most of my life. I'm 5"6 1/2 and currently weigh about 250lbs. I'm starting college next fall and would like to be at least 100lbs lighter by then. Thanks to everyone who'll read this. Sam (as in Samantha)

Welcome Sam !!! My son is 20 and he is a college Jr. In any event, we are here to support you in anyway that we can in your weight loss journey. I am a non-op by choice. My employer cover all the wl surgeries. I was approved for the lapband back in Jan. and backed out of it. I wanted to give the fashion way one more go at it !!! Did you happen to watch "the biggest loser last night" ? Wow the people look great !!!!!!!! Again welcome, Phyllis..........

Hi Sam, Welcome to the non-ops board. Ahhh those humiliating moments. We all remember them vividly. I chose not to have the surgery because I really didn't want to take the chance with my life and I figured that my only way to succeed would be just to grab the bull by the horns and do it myself. Ask questions, come back and read posts, we are all here to help you!!! Good luck. Donna

Hey Sam, Welcome to our little slice of heaven. I'm glad you found us, and I hope you'll come back daily for a dose of inspiration, maybe offer some support to someone who needs it, or just to chat with people who, like you, won't be having the surgery. This is a great place to hang out!! If you'd like to join us, we've embarked on a 6 week exercise challenge. You simply decide how often you will exercise, and check in daily and let us know how you're doing. No pressure. We know it's not easy to get on, and stay on an exercise program. With the holiday yummies all around us, we're doing some damage control with a friendly challenge to work off some of those scrumptious treats we may be delighting in!! So, if you'd like to join us, just post that you want to join the exercise challenge. We just started last week, so you've got plenty of time to benefit from being a part of our little war with the fat!!! Again, welcome Sam! Jessica

Hi Sam--welcome and you can do it!! BTW our stats are pretty much the same (except that I'm 46). But I started out at 5'6.5" and around 258. So I bet at your age you can lose weight really efficiently (particularly if you exercise). And don't worry, at any weight, you are still beautiful and worthwhile. So how are you doing this? Have you decided on what kind of support network (if any) you'll need? Details, details, please!! liz 258\212\? (6/1/05)

Thanks so much to everyone *****plied to my post. I really appreciate all of your kind words. I'm not really followeing a specific diet plan right now, I'm just trying to stick to a 1200-1500 calorie a day diet. Lots of veggies and fish. I've recently realized that I enjoy excersising (shocking for a girl who would fake ANYTHING to get out of P.E.) so that 6 week excersise challenge sounds like something I'd be interested in. I've been doing a couple of shows that come on fitTV. I'm planning on doing an hour two days a week and an hour and a half three days a week.