Hello ! I feel just like you about finding support, because i can't talk about my weight to anyone that i know (too shameful...)
I am 21 and i am on a weight loss journey. I am currently at 265.5 lbs, started june 2016 at 289.
I don't really know how to approach people here, so i'm just going to say, if you feel like talking to me, i will answer for sure.

Congratulations Elo! I don't think there are any formal guidelines to meeting others but what I will.say is Whatever you are doing is obviously working for you... Any tips? I would love for you to share how you got started. I think that's my first big obstacle.

Hi Revamp2.0 I am 22 back in January I decided I wanted to have a new years resolution and get some weight off. I started off at 236 I am now down to 219. It is not easy work, I tried all those quick fix tricks (lipozene, a bunch of garcina cambogia, acai berry) nothing worked. I was diagnosed with a hypothyroid disease when I was in third grade always had a negative attitude that I could never lose weight. I signed up for a gym but was having social anxiety inside the gym feeling like everyone was judging me so I quickly gave up. My moms boyfriend decided to sign me up for beachbody and I first followed Autumns 21 day fix program every day (well 3 days I had to make up for) 25-30 minute then I started T25 Focus for shorter workouts and to change out the routine. At first I was just drinking the shakeology and was losing average 2-3 pounds every every 8-10 days. I still have a long journey ahead of me, but hopefully I'll get out of these elastic pants soon.

I love to grow my network and have people hold me accountable to my new lifestyle. If you want the same, or support I am here for your journey.

Hi Revamp2.0. Thanks ! Well i can relate, starting is the hardest part. Actually, you will hear from most people that it was like "a wake-up call". But for me, it was gradually: first i didn't fit the work clothes i was given, and it was the biggest size they had. So everyday, i had to dress differently from my coworkers, and it had a huge impact on me. Then, when outside or on the bus, i noticed i was always the biggest person there (or the 2nd biggest). When i go shopping, there is only one store in my city that has a plus-size collection, and each time i go there it is empty. Like if i was the only one needing plus-size clothes... Then, i started comparing what i eat to what my friends eat....
One of the things that helped me the most when starting is taking a picture of me in my underwear. First, it allows me to see the change overtime. Second, each time i wanted to eat something unhealthy (like a chocolate cake) i was looking at that picture and thinking "do i really want to stay like that or get even fatter ?". Just by doing that, i lost 11 lbs, without exercising.
So how about you ? How did you get the extra-weight ? Is it the first time you try to lose weight ?

Hey Ladies, I am sorry it ahs taken so long for me to respond. I am really excited about this new process and the support I have been receiving thus far. I hoped on the scale and had an "Ah ha" moment. I was up 11 lbs since weighing myself earlier this year, that was an eye opener. I realized for me going blind at this and hoping my weight would go down, is not going to be the best system for me. So as of Saturday I am weighing myself daily. This has been very rewarding... I am able to manage my weight and success. I know all success doesn't come with a number attached, but so far however as I stated earlier... Starting has been my biggest struggle... so this daily assessment has been a rewarding incentive to keep at it... And actually I have seen my weight go down each day as a result. I will do my first weight lose total at the completion of this first week... but I am SOO excited you guys... and truthfully I haven't make any significant changes in my diet, but it made me rethink getting that extra large coke with no ice lol... so I will definitely count that as a win....

As far as my history and obsession with food... here goes:
I was always a chubby-round kid... my older brother on the other hand was exact opposite, he was slender, tall and could eat like a horse, and never gained a pound. He and I were always at odds, it made me eat more, (not blaming him, of course) because we were kids. (Side note: he now blames himself for the way he treated me then... though I am not exactly sure why... because I don't.. but back to my story) I dealt with depression and low self esteem for many years. It wasn't until my early 20's that I started making changes. For a while I walked 3 miles every morning... which helped tremendously, but one day I tripped running up my apartment steps and hurt my leg. I was told to "take it easy" which meant no daily exercise. after a couple weeks of not exercising, I wasn't motivated to continue on my journey. FAST FORWARD: I went through a roller coaster of a relationship, gained about 120+ lbs... and now I am here. I have never admitted it before until now, but I have a serious obsession with food, but I am fighting my way through because I believe I deserve that much. I deserve to be the happiness I want to see.... -
So there you have it... in 750 words or less.