I know I'm not a real 'active' member of AMHD, but it has really helped me to begin my weight loss. I don't post much, but I'm on here almost everyday reading posts, and answers, and putting different tips together, while being motivated all at the same time. I have tried to diet more times than I can even keep track of, and this time it's actually working! I have lost eight pounds so far, even though that isn't much, its SO rewarding, and makes me want to keep going. Instead of thinking, 'wow, I really wish my stomach was tighter, my thighs were smaller, and these lovehandels were GONE', I now think - 'I can't wait until my stomach is tighter, my thighs are smaller, and my lovehandels are GONE!", because I KNOW that day is coming, and all to soon! :D

For those of you who say 'I don't have time to exercise and diet', I know what you mean. I have been there. BUT, be realistic! Your not going to loose the weight you want by not changing a thing about your lifestyle! Wake up half an hour early, stay up a half an hour late or find a half hour during the day to exercise. Even though it sucks at first, its worth it. You will feel so much better when your done, and (at least for me) you will eat less/eat better since you did all that work to exercise. Plus, like me, my 30 minutes has now gone to an hour a day, and I HATE missing a day! Its become habit! For now, I LOVE to see the numbers on the scale getting smaller, and I can't wait to see the changes on my body!

Also, me and my boyfriend have just started dieting together. Having someone to do this with makes all the difference. Whenever I want to eat ice cream, or a cookie (I have the biggest sweet tooth), and I see him not eating that it makes me that much more determined to not get it either. Or if I don't want to exercise and I see him go and run, I feel like I just need to, it helps with the motivation.

The difference between all the times when I did diet and nothing happened, and now that I'm losing weight, is that I know what to eat, when to exercise, how much to exercise, etc. You have to WANT this to lose weight. Its not going to come off unless your willing to give it your all. Losing weight is a hard thing to do.

I'm a full time nursing student, as well as a full time patient care assistant at a hospital. So if I have time to do it, you do to. And if your still thinking that you don't have enough time to exercise or can't make room to do it, your not ready to loose weight. You have to WANT it.

Congraduations of losing 8 pounds. No matter the size of the lost every lost pound counts. With exercise you have to make time as you stated and to successfully lose you would have a better outcome when dieting and exercise and you must make time. My friend wants to lose weight but complaints she have no time but she finds time to get her hair and nails done and hair can sometimes take hours to get done. I always get at her about this. It's great you changed your way of thinking because getting in shape is a gradual step. Sometimes you don't lose pounds but lose inches and body fat which is good. Having someone to help and go through this is good so you and your boyfriend keep it up. By the way, how much do you want to lose?

Good for you! You have a great attitude and I'm sure you feel good. Keep us updated - it's inspirational.

Hello! I have now lost two more pounds since I posted that.. so ten pounds all together! I am wanting to lose 30 more pounds. I put on so much weight since I started college.. you know the 'freshman 15?' I turned that into the freshman 35. Not proud of it.