This came from Jillian Michaels email (from The Biggest Loser), but felt like it applied to us here as well....


You've Got a Friend
The decision to lose weight is one of the most important ones you'll ever make. And you know what? Everyone's afraid to go it alone. After all, who's going to stop you from devouring that tub of Rocky Road ice cream at 10 p.m.? If you don't have someone at home who's helping you, that doesn't mean you're going to fail — an online community of "virtual" support can be just as helpful.

Check out the advice one online member offered to a Message Board newbie who was struggling with her daily workout:

"Everything is going to be okay! You did the right thing by joining us. You CAN do this. Yes, it is hard, but you have to hang in there. It's okay if you can't do all the reps yet. Just do what you can. I have about 70 pounds to lose and you know what? I didn't gain this weight overnight, so it's going to take some time and sweat to take it off. Personally, I'm going slowly. For example, I'm doing one set of each exercise instead of three this week. Next week, I'll try to do two, and so on.

Yes, these exercises are hard to do, especially for us couch potatoes! But look at it this way: It takes so much energy to be overweight. Think about the energy it takes to carry around 70 extra pounds! Now take that energy and do something constructive with it. When you finally finish a workout, you will feel so good to know you've accomplished something so difficult. And, of course, the more you do, the easier it'll get. We just have to hang in there. Please don't give up! There are so many members that will give you motivation and inspiration, so don't fret. Your fellow FFFs (Friends Fighting Fat) are here to help you get through this!"