[Emeraldeyes]

I am really bad with introductions so I thought I would try this form for everyone to get to know me better:

First name: Stephanie

Geographical location: USA, PA

Age: 22

Marital Status: in a relationship

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: artist

Pets: 2 cats, Claire and Butter

Hobbies/Interests: Photography, oil painting, ceramics, terrariums

Height: 5'6

Eye/Hair Color: green eyes/dark brown hair

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 1/8/11

Starting Weight: 160

Present Weight: 145

Goal Weight: 130-125

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weight loss:
Not getting sick. When I was in middle school I was diagnosed with hypo-thyroidism. Immediately I started to gain a lot of weight. I was never very active in high school because I was more into the art scene. I was 5'6 and 160lbs. I became very depressed about it and decided that I needed to do something. I cut soda out of my diet and started to do yoga. By the end of my senior year I lost 10lbs. I then started college and became more active and got down to 145lbs. Then my sophomore year it happened. I was diagnosed with undifferentiated connective tissue disease and an auto immune disorder along with my hypo-thyroidism. It then came to me that I need to eat better and get in better shape. I got myself a gym membership and started to focus on cardio. Last summer I managed to get to 128lbs. However I have had a flare up from my auto immune disorder and it left me very sick. I haven't been able to exercise as much as I would like to because my body just hurts too much. Due to not being active anymore I gained alot of the weight back.

Following any specific plan: Eating 1200 calories a day, 1 hour of yoga a day at the moment

[DreamsOfAtropos]

I'm very sorry for what happened to you.

I hope you can get into a healthy lifestyle and live the life you want

[srmb60]

Welcome Stephanie!

There are several places on 3FC that you might enjoy. We have threads for 20-somethings, folks with health challenges, yoga lovers and calorie counters.
Make yourself at home! If there is anything we can help you find, just ask.

[DhaniCauldwell]

Welcome and good luck!

Dhani

[mandalinn82]

Stephanie - you might also want to check out the "Featherweights" forum, for those who aren't very far (comparatively) from their final weight goal. So look around...you're sure to find people who face some of the same struggles as you do.

Can't wait to get to know you better!