HI EVERYONE!

I'M NEW HERE TO THE BOARDS, BUT NOT TO LOSING WEIGHT. I QUIT SMOKING 3YRS AGO AND GAINED 50LBS. I HAVEN'T HAD THE MOTIVATION OR THE WILL POWER TO GET THE WEIGHT OFF AND KEEP IT OFF.

I'M TIRED OF ALWAYS BEING TIRED! SINCE GAINING THE WEIGHT I'M NOT AS HAPPY AS I USE TO BE, I DON'T KEEP UP WITH MY APPEARANCE. I WEAR THE SAME 5 OUTFITS, BECAUSE NOTHING ELSE FITS AND I DON'T WANT TO SPEND THE MONEY ON NEW "FAT CLOTHES".

WHEN I WAS LIGHTER/HEALTHER I JUST FELT BETTER ABOUT MYSELF AND EVERYTHING ELSE IN GENERAL. I WANT THAT FEELING BACK! I WANT TO BE HAPPY! I WANT TO LAUGH! I WANT TO LIVE!

I'M GOING TO TRY VERY HARD TO GET HEALTHY! IF ANYONE HAS ANY TIPS OR SUGGESTIONS, PLEASE LET ME KNOW!

GOOD LUCK TO ALL & A GOOD LIFE!

First off, welcome!! I understand what it's like to quit smoking and gain some pounds..I also have been smoke free for 3 years and have gained weight. My husband and I are also trying to eat better and exercise but with busy lives it always seems like it's an uphill battle. One suggestion I can give you is to create a "goal log" made up of feasible goals that you can accomplish. Like my first goal is to lose 5 lbs in February. I've also started cooking healthier by printing off a lot of recipes from this website. I've tried 2 so far and they are delicious... and filling!! Tonight will be Greek Pizza night.



I thought it would be expensive to eat healthier but I've noticed that it really isn't any more expensive than my normal grocery shopping and the people who manage this site are very good about keeping the recipes simple.



As far as exercise I always had a problem with doing the same thing over and over and over and over..well, you get the picture...so now we alternate with bicycling and walking the dog and playing baseball (just catch, no bases) and I would like to get into tennis. But for good indoor exercises (since it's winter everywhere else but Florida) try using an elliptical for 30-45 minutes a day..worked wonders on me.



- Julia