GIS meet & greet

Nebb

Tell everyone a little bit about yourself and your goals!

Ive been married for almost 2 years now, I lost weight to fit into my wedding dress and proceeded to gain 30+ back after the wedding, which is what brought me back to GIS. I am hoping to get back down to the size or weight I was when I moved in with my husband 5 years ago and Im more than halfway there now (34lbs down, 27lbs to go, fit into a size 10/12 then and im in a 13 or 14 right now)! I love to garden (vegetables and herbs), I love photography, I have a pug and I really love to lift weights!

raynes

Good post idea Nebb!

I've been married now almost 6 months (we don't get a 6 month anniversary, since there's not Feb 29th this year!).

I've been actively losing weight and getting healthier since Aug 2008.  Since then I've lost 20 lbs (and gained back 5).  The number on the scale isn't so much what matters to me.  I want to be healthy and strong.  I want to have energy and have fun!

I love to cook and bake (which is sometimes counter productive to the whole weight loss thing) and I love to read.  I was so lucky to find someone to share my life with that also shares my passions (well, not cooking, but he does love eating!). 

We just bought our first house together in November and live there with our two cats.

TurtlesAllTheWayDown

Nebb, I didn't know you had a pug!

I'm 27 and I'm getting married on October. On my 27th birthday last year I saw pics of myself at my party and decided I really needed to do something. I was at my heaviest weight. Ideally I'd like to get down to where I was my freshman year of high school as a size 10/12. I have about 80 pounds until I reach that goal. I'm hoping to get in shape before the wedding but I know it is unrealistic to think I will reach 80 pounds by then. I'm hoping for about 40 more.

I lost 14 pounds over the summer and then gained it back when I gave up/over the holidays. I started working out and watching my diet again in January and I'm down about 11 pounds again.

I have 3 cats, I grew up in Buffalo, NY, I live in LA (I have for 6.5 years), and I'm a graduate student studying history. I work full time. I like watching hockey, reading, urban exploration, local history, and trying new restaurants.

ajopus

FI and I met in college (Go Blue!) We've been together for a little over 5 years, been engaged for about a year and a half, and we're getting married on August 28, 2010... which is 6 months from Sunday!!!

I'm finishing up grad school (opera performance) in May in Maryland, and FI is just starting a PhD (computer science) in California... so we've been long distance through our whole engagement. Plus, we're getting married in San Diego, which is a place neither of us lives! (Could this be more complicated??) Luckily, his parents live there and his mom is handling almost all of our logistics, so we're not completely insane yet and we still love each other ;-) 

As for the whole fitness side of things.. I've always struggled with my weight. My brother and all of my cousins (on both sides) are tall and thin, but I'm only 5'3" and pudgy! Definitely have some self-esteem issues there. I love to cook and bake, which is totally counterproductive these days, but I guess I grew up thinking that feeding people shows that you love them. (Extreme example: In high school, I baked my friend a cake when her father died.) I've never been much of an athlete (more of a nerd/musician/theater type). I've lost and gained weight many times in the past (never more than about 15 pounds in either direction from where I am now). BUT, all that said, I am learning to change my life around and accept that the process can be both slow but rewarding. I want to look amazing in my wedding dress, and I want to wear cute little dresses and (if miracles happen) a bikini on my Hawaiian honeymoon. And I want to make this a true lifestyle change so the weight stays off!! 

My goals aren't really based around pounds, but I guess I'd say I'm looking to get to about 135, which is at the top end of my height's healthy BMI range but would be amazing for me. I'm curvy and gain muscle quickly, so anything less than 130-135 seems not feasible for me personally. Let's just say a toned size 6 would be nice! :-)

COkristi

I'm jealous of Nebb's garden.

I am getting married on May 1st (9 weeks!) and I live in Colorado, but originally from Kansas. I've also lived in CT and NC between college and now.

I have been at odds with the same 5 lbs for about 4 years. I gained over 20lbs in college and was a lazy beer loving, taco bell eating girl. I graduated 5 years ago and started eating healthy, cooking and working out. I lost about 20 lbs but 5 keeps creeping back. I want to get in the best shape of my life, because, why not? There's no time like the present! I started lifting weights in January and I really like it. I'm hoping switching things up will help me bust through a long plateau. I am in Week 4 of P90X and already feeling stronger so that's encouraging.

I love to cook, travel, and watch football.

DiamondDani

I'm Danielle and I'm getting married on 12/31.

My heighest weight was: 185
Current weight is: 143
Goal weight is: 135

I have another 8 pounds to lose to get to my goal and I really need to focus on toning my body and getting stronger after that. (However these last 8 pounds are proving to be SO HARD TO GET RID OF!)

lmark7786

My FI and I have been together for 7 years (high school sweethearts) and are getting married September 4, 2010. My FI decided to join the US Navy in June 08 which has been difficult to get through at times, but a blessing all the same. After our wedding in Sept, I am planning to move to Virginia to be with him full time.

My weight loss journey began janurary 2009, but it wasn't until I joined weight watchers in August that I began to see real results. I've lost 17 lbs so far, and hope to lose another 10-15.

FutureMsAlexander

This is a really great idea.

My name is Farrah. I'm a freelance writer based in Louisville, KY. I've stuggled with my weight... oh, since forever. I've done just about every fad diet and am ready to make some serious life changes.

When I met my fiance, I was just about in the best shape of my life. Now, four years later, I am in the worst shape of my life. We're getting married on Sept. 18 of this year. I don't have an actual goal weight. I just want to look and feel much better. Since the engagement, I've lost 4 pounds. I do the 30DS and track my cals on The Daily Plate. I already feel tremendously better!

klutes8

Hey ladies! I'm from NB, Canada. My fiance and I have been together almost 6 years (highschool sweethearts) and are getting married in Oct. 2010.

I'm not looking to loose weight, just want to exercise and be healthy. This board has really motivated me to keep up with my workouts. I love it! I mostly do workout dvds, I'm too cheap to buy a gym membership, haha.

glam70s

My name is Leah, and I'm in Ontario, Canada. I've been with my fiance for 10 years (also high school sweethearts) and we're getting married February 20, 2011 (the day before our 11th dating anniversary).

I was a rhythmic gymnast from ages 3-16, when a bad landing at a competition broke bones in both of my feet. Many surgeries later, I was still eating like I did when I was practicing 6-8 hours per day, and voila! At my highest I was almost 80lbs over my working weight as a gymnast.

I'm gradually learning to eat normally and exercise like a normal person.. Gymnastics really brought out the obsessive side of my personality, and if I don't purposefully limit myself to an hour of working out per day, I'll do it until I'm sick! And with that comes the urge to eat almost nothing, so I'm really learning healthy habits for the first time now.

I've never been a good, normal weight as an adult, so I'm really looking forward to it.

Nebb

Wooo look at all the canadians!! Where abouts in Ontario are you Leah??

Hwrd2be

I am getting married June 19, 2010. I have been with my FI for almost 3 1/2 years. We have 1 dog, 2 cats, and some fish together. I have been overweight since I was about 12. I lost 71 lbs ( in 9 months) back in 2003 and managed to gain  almost all of it back. I have lost 26 lbs since july. I gained about 10 of it back but I am in the process of getting it back off.  My goal weight is to be 150. I know I can do it.  On my spare time I love to travel, scrapbook, watch movies, cook, go shopping, ect.

number55

My name is Mareika and I am from Ontario too, just west of Toronto.

For my New Year's resolution in Jan 2006 I made it my goal to lose weight after topping out at 196lbs and being told I was about a year away from type 2 diabetes. I got a personal trainer and lost over 45 pounds in about 9 months, hovering around 148 - 150lbs by September/October. At the end of October of 2006 my mother died after an 8 month battle with lung cancer that took my family by surprise. I managed to lose all the weight during her illness but once I started grieving the weight started to come back as I stopped working out, drank a lot of red wine and ate as I pleased.

Fast forward to January 2010, engaged, weighing 175, having gained back about half of what I had lost (but mostly having lost a lot of muscle).  My fiance is in crazy good shape. He is over six years younger than my 31 plus years and he plays rugby. This has been a major motivator for me, esp. when he sees the jeans I used to fit into and says, "wow, you were tiny!" (I take no offense to this, I was tiny compared to me now!)

I love working out with FI and on my own too. The first time I lost the weight I learned a lot from my personal trainer over the 8 months. I like to lift weights way more than anything cardio but I do the cardio because I have to.  I hate to run but I try to do that too, having run one 5km race in my lifetime. I do cardio classes at the gym and I am currently doing a boot camp at work with colleagues (we pay for it) twice a week for four months.  Since January I have lost 4 pounds, which is not much but I can see changes in my body and I can fit into jeans that I couldn't fit into in December.

My biggest challenge is not the exercise, it is the food. I eat too much and have NO will power, but I am getting better at controlling myself.

Oh, and I am a very very very amateur photographer...I bought a canon DSLR last year and I love it. 

shwethasrin

My name is Shwetha and my FI and I are in our last semester of law school in Philly. FI and I met in undergrad at Michigan, and we've been together for almost 5 years and have lived together for 2 and a half. We're graduating and getting married in May. I can't wait! Although I am not looking forward to studying for the bar exam after, but at least FI and I will both be going through it together. 

I'm hoping to lose about 10-15 lbs by May, but I'm not holding my breath. I'm 5'4" and about 138 lbs, so I'm also right at the top of the "normal" range. When I started college I was 100 lbs, and at my heaviest I've been about 155. The hardest thing for me to do is watch what I eat and eat healthy, so I'm really working on that right now. 

Nebb

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_gis-meet-greet?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:238Discussion:998ad2fa-1b49-4024-b28d-5cccacecaa48Post:489ca935-34f5-4cd9-9d77-d6ec989c5c62">Re: GIS meet & greet</a>:
[QUOTE]My name is Mareika and I am from Ontario too, just west of Toronto. For my New Year's resolution in Jan 2006 I made it my goal to lose weight after topping out at 196lbs and being told I was about a year away from type 2 diabetes. I got a personal trainer and lost over 45 pounds in about 9 months, hovering around 148 - 150lbs by September/October. At the end of October of 2006 my mother died after an 8 month battle with lung cancer that took my family by surprise. I managed to lose all the weight during her illness but once I started grieving the weight started to come back as I stopped working out, drank a lot of red wine and ate as I pleased. Fast forward to January 2010, engaged, weighing 175, having gained back about half of what I had lost (but mostly having lost a lot of muscle).  My fiance is in crazy good shape. He is over six years younger than my 31 plus years and he plays rugby. This has been a major motivator for me, esp. when he sees the jeans I used to fit into and says, "wow, you were tiny!" (I take no offense to this, I was tiny compared to me now!) I love working out with FI and on my own too. The first time I lost the weight I learned a lot from my personal trainer over the 8 months. I like to lift weights way more than anything cardio but I do the cardio because I have to.  I hate to run but I try to do that too, having run one 5km race in my lifetime. I do cardio classes at the gym and I am currently doing a boot camp at work with colleagues (we pay for it) twice a week for four months.  Since January I have lost 4 pounds, which is not much but I can see changes in my body and I can fit into jeans that I couldn't fit into in December. My biggest challenge is not the exercise, it is the food. I eat too much and have NO will power, but I am getting better at controlling myself. <strong>Oh, and I am a very very very amateur photographer...I bought a canon DSLR last year and I love it. </strong>
Posted by number55[/QUOTE]
JEALOUS!! I decided our next big purchase is an SLR for me, my husband got a flat screen at christmas so its my turn now!

akg0053

Hello all. FI and I met while he was still in college, and have been together for 4 years. Since I'm still a student (I'm a double science major and having to pay for it mostly by myself means a really LATE graduation) we decided to put the wedding off until after I graduate. That was supposed to be this past May, but hurricane Ike had other plans. We are now getting married in December of this year, because I will be graduating at that time as well. We also wanted to be financially stable, and now we are, which is an amazing feeling.

I have had minor weight issues most of my life, although I am (or at least used to be) an athletic person. I'm one of those that running/walking/jogging is actually relaxing.

My overall health goals are to basically lose inches, not necessarily weight, to look awesome in my wedding dress and my clothes in general. I'm a very strong person overall, but it would be nice if my arms actually looked like it. I got back on track shortly after FI and I set a date for the wedding, but since the past few months have been really rough (we have had lots of family emergencies, etc.) I have neglected the gym. I'm getting myself back on track though, thanks to the help from you guys )

mynameskatie

I'm Katie (which I'm sure you figured out). I'm 23 and my FI and I have been together 3 1/2 years. We will be getting married May 21, 2011. We are originally from Maryland but are currently living in Idaho. We moved here 2.5 years ago for FI's job after he graduate college. I'm currently a billing specialist for an insurance company but I've done a little bit of everything when it comes to work.

When FI and I moved across the country we had only been together 9 months. I had never really been super thin in high school/early college, but I wasn't overweight either. Growing up the rest of my family had been really overweight and so I definitely had some bad eating habits but I also worked a job where I walked a TON and I worked out some. Plus between college on campus, a full time job, and a semi LDR I was pretty busy.

When we moved here I transfered to online coursework, started a job that I HATED, missed my family and ate out more. In 6 months I put on about 20 pounds. Fast forward another 2 years and by the time we had been here for 2.5 years I had put on upwards of 70 pounds. I had tried to lose some weight a few times but I always ended up gaining it back and then some because I wasn't committed. I was really uncomfortable with how heavy I'd gotten. I really worried more then anything that I would become diabetic.

In December I signed up for a weight loss competition at my gym. 2 teams of 8 get a trainer to guide them for 10 weeks. They use a program called Beyond Fitness to teach you how to live a healthy lifestyle through food journaling your calories, fruits and veggies, fiber intake. We see our trainer twice a week, weigh in once a week, and get body tested once a month. In 5 weeks I had lost 19 lbs and gained in lean mass.  In have tried all kinds of new things that I would have never been comfortable with before. It is the first time I have really had the motivation to stick with weight loss and exercise!

elishabelle

Hi! My name is Elisha. My FI and I have been together about 3 years. We met while he was a grad student in CA. We both knew eventually he'd be moving back to VA...8 months into our relationship he asked me to move with him. Although I'd never been more sure of a relationship ever, it was a very big move. July of 08' we moved to VA. I gained 10 lbs after I made the decision to move (Feb 08) and then another 20 between July of 08 and December of 09'. August of 2006-March 2007 I lost 40 pounds through healthy eating and a ton of cardio. So, I know I can do this.

I restarted this journey, because I am worth it! I feel my best when I workout and eat healthy meals. This time around I am also including weights into my routine  Thankfully, my fiance is very supportive and eats whatever I make..hahaha. I am still adjusting to life in VA, but working on myself has been the best decision I could have made. I can't wait to rock my wedding dress in July!  Rockin a bikini would be nice, but that may have to wait another year.

raynes

number55/Mareika, where abouts west of Toronto are you??  I just recently moved to Hamilton from Oakville, and still work in Oakville.  Nebb is a bit further west/south.

mynameskatie

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_gis-meet-greet?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:238Discussion:998ad2fa-1b49-4024-b28d-5cccacecaa48Post:b00c5d66-9a41-437d-aee6-8b321e98d377">Re: GIS meet & greet</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: GIS meet & greet : JEALOUS!! I decided our next big purchase is an SLR for me, my husband got a flat screen at christmas so its my turn now!
Posted by Nebb[/QUOTE]

<div>I got one for my birthday/Christmas this year (my bday is 7 days before Christmas). I'm so glad that I finally got one.  I love bringing it to special occasions its also a great excuse to go for a walk outside and take pictures. </div>

Nebb

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_gis-meet-greet?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:238Discussion:998ad2fa-1b49-4024-b28d-5cccacecaa48Post:b79d7879-c6a3-46d8-85c8-13ed001ed79b">Re: GIS meet & greet</a>:
[QUOTE]number55/Mareika, where abouts west of Toronto are you??  I just recently moved to Hamilton from Oakville, and still work in Oakville.  Nebb is a bit further west/south.
Posted by raynes[/QUOTE]
Im just outside of Niagara falls!

lca315girl

I'm getting married on June 5, 2010. I recently graduated from college with 2 degrees in Biology and African American Studies (weird combination) and am waiting to hear back from my final 3 dental school choices.

I was in decent shape until my junior year of college when I gained about 20 pounds. My goal is to get back around 135 not just for wedding purposes, but for health reasons since there are some severe health issues on my father's side of the family. My younger sister and I have been working out quite a bit since she's recently enlisted in the U.S. Navy and is wanting to lose more weight for that.

I'm a sports junkie, love photography (hopefully buying a DSLR after the wedding), and travelling.

kelseyd625

Hey Everyone!
I'm Kelsey and a senior in college. I'm from North Carolina and have lived here all my life, but I'm hoping for a change of scenary one day. I'm not engaged yet and had originally got a TK account to look at stuff with/for a friend who's getting married this May and I eventually found my way over to this board. My BF and I have been together for 2 1/2 years. I know that we're getting engaged sooner rather than later because of hints BF has dropped (everyone is expecting it and even my mom's friends are asking her when it's going to happen - not sure how I feel about that though). BF is finishing up his second year of law school, so we won't get married until he's graduated and taken the bar...no need to stress about being a newlywed while studying for the bar!

When we first met I was in really good shape, worked out all the time and was really health conscious when it came to food. Then we began dating and my healthy kick took a back seat to lots of meals out and working out was just not a top priority anymore. My goal is to feel good about myself and be confident in my own skin...and be able to wear my favorite jeans again! Well-after I get the huge rip in them patched from when I was in denial about my weight gain and still trying to squeeze into them.

I'm so excited about discovering all the support on this board and the meal tracking on my daily plate. I've already started to see/feel a difference-especially with my energy level! Now I just have to keep it up!

kelseyd625

****Shwetha
I was not trying to offend you about the studying for the bar and being a newlywed part! That is just BF's preference and since both of you will be studying for the bar, I'm sure it will be much better to have each other to lean on for support!!
Sorry again!!! And good luck with everything and congrats on graduating so soon!

AlexaGrant

Hey ladies!  My name is Alexa, I am living in DC but getting married in Boston June 2011 - I also have the added motivation of a family trip to Turks & Caicos this August.  I meant to start losing weight for my New Year's resolution but hadn't gotten around to starting to eat better and be more active until this week.  I signed up for a free online food diary so I can track what I'm eating and make better choices.  I'm also trying to walk more, take the stairs, etc. to build up to more substantive workouts.  I'm hoping to lose 30 pounds.  Good luck everyone!

demeoja

Nice work ladies!  Relatable and motivating stories!

I have been with my fiance for about 4 1/2 years.  When we started dating I was living and working in Philadelphia which kept me active (I didn't have a car).  I moved back to south Jersey about 2 1/2 years ago and put on about 20 pounds- 192 pounds was my highest.  I am now 185.

I will be starting school again in May and am just hoping to get into a good fitness routine by then and continue it during school.  I don't have a set goal weight, but I want to be healthy and look and feel better.  Working-out is am amazing way for me to relieve stress, but it is hard for me to get motivated. 

We aren't getting married until 2012, but reading the posts on here has helped me get motivated!

kavc016

My name is Kristie and i'm from Chicago, IL. I've been with my FI for almost 2 1/2 years and we are getting married on Sept. 25, 2010. I started WW in March 2009 (right after we got engaged) and i've lost a total of 45 lbs so far. I hope to lose 16 more before the wedding. That would also put me at my goal weight. I want to be at a healthy weight, be much stronger, and just be able to live life to the fullest with my FI. Plus wearing a bikini on the honeymoon would be nice. 

Everyone on here is such an inspiration and keeps me motivated. Thanks ladies...and keep up the great work!

lisanowacki

Jersey girls, where abouts are you!? i'm sandwiched in between Bridgewater and Princeton...in a town called Hillsborough, but people never the town when I mention it! LOL

demeoja

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_gis-meet-greet?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:238Discussion:998ad2fa-1b49-4024-b28d-5cccacecaa48Post:10a733a0-2546-4192-9e69-cfeddcf6fb70">Re: GIS meet & greet</a>:
[QUOTE]Jersey girls, where abouts are you!? i'm sandwiched in between Bridgewater and Princeton...in a town called Hillsborough, but people never the town when I mention it! LOL
Posted by lisanowacki[/QUOTE]

I live in Marlton.  It's by Medford/ Cherry Hill/ Moorestown.  And you're right, I haven't heard of it!  Sorry!

OctoberLou

Hi everyone! It's been nice "meeting" you guys on this post - good idea! Anyway, my name is Ellen, and I'm working to get in better shape for my October wedding. I was always in pretty good shape until I started working an office job and exercising less over the past few years. Now I'm trying to exercise more to basically lose a few pounds, tone up, and fit into my wedding dress that I got one size too small. I like to run but am too much of a wimp to do it outside in below freezing weather, so that might be a couple months away still. So for now I stick to the elliptical, yoga, and lifting weights.

cdream05

Hello just stopping by looking for weight loss advice and what has worked for you?  I have been working out at the gym and trying to eat healthier.  My FI and I have been together for 5 years and when I met him i was about 35lbs lighter.  We are getting married june 5,2010 and I would love to drop some lbs for that.  So any advice is great