Roll Call!!
 

Since there are so many newbies as well as oldies here on the 100 lb club, I thought it would be nice to reintroduce ourselves so everyone can get to know everyone!

I am Sandi and I am the moderator of the 100 lb club. I have been here for many years. I have never been successful at getting very much weight off, but I never lose hope that I will. Please feel free to PM me if you need anything at all.

I have been happily married for 17 years and the shining star of my life is my 9 year old son Jake. We have 1 dog and I live in Northwest Indiana. I work full time teaching computer software. My hobbies are making jewelry and (you guessed it!) posting here at 3FC!

What about You??

Hi! My name is Amy. I moved down to Atlanta about 2.5 years ago and gained all sorts of weight. Ugh! It has gotten to the point of being difficult to move around. Sooo, here I am determined to get it off FINALLY.

Hi!

I've been at 3FC for 7 years. About 5.5 years ago, I started my first successful weight loss effort (after losing the same 30 lbs over and over again). My weight loss had a lot of losing and then maintaining and took me 3.5 years to get to 160 lbs lost. The last 2 years though have been basically me losing and gaining the same 10 lbs over and over again! I'm currently in the low 200s and hoping to get below 200 sometime soon :)

I have always been extremely heavy. I hit 300 lbs at age 14 and struggled with my weight since at least age 9. I'm currently 34 years old living in Maryland (outside of DC) but I am originally from California. I have a husband of 3 years, 2 dogs and 2 cats. I work in a computer related industry. I just recently started going back to school which is going to be challenging but I'm up for the challenge!

I love weights, weight lifting and trying to stay active!

I think that is about it.

So i really bad at things like these, but I'll try.

My name is Kirsten. I've only been here since September, but I'm so happy that I found 3FC.
I'm a full-time college student, majoring in English with an emphasis in secondary education; I graduate in June and am waiting to find a credential program that will accept me. I'm not working right now, but I expect to start student teaching next year. I'm hoping to move to either the Sacramento or Sonoma county areas of California and start teaching within the next three years.

I've been with my partner for three years. I read a lot and write a little. I'm really active in my sorority, which turned into my part-time job last semester. I'm really close to my family and the friends I've made into my family at college.

Otherwise, I'm pretty simple. I'm grateful for the support I found here, most of all

Hello...I am Cathy. I have been overweight most of my life...I would say since 1st grade. My 1st successful attempt at loosing weight was in the 10th grade for my sisters wedding...of course it was diet bills from the doctor...I was thin for 24 hours (seriously) I can tell you the moment I started gaining! It was at the bridal shower and the dessert... There are many other attempts over the years...and with some success at loosing, but never keeping it off.

For many years I did the "non diet" approach...I ate whatever I wanted whenever I wanted...but hey I drank diet soda :) I have been at 250 to 260 for at least 10 years...but this fall when it was time to put on jeans... they were tight. That scared me. It scared me because I knew I was at one of the largest jean sizes already. I think it motivated me too...it made me realize...I have to do something!

2010 will be my 10th anniversary being married to the most wonderful man. A few years ago his dr told him he needed to loose 20 lbs for his knees and being Mr. Disciplined he did it...he could be a poster child for discipline! The good thing...he NEVER says anything to me about my weight... and he truly loves me for me!

In 2010 I will also turn 50. And in 2010 I will also go below 200! This is a BIG year! HOOT!

More to say...but I don't want to be a thread hog!

Thank you everyone for being here! 3FC has been a WONDERFUL addition to my life!!

Hi! My name is C.C. and I'm a 38 year old single gal from California. I've got two golden retrievers - one a couch potato and one who can't sit still.

I've been overweight since puberty, but I didn't tread into obesity territory until I went to college. Since then, I've made several other attempts to get this weight off and one semi-successful one where I lost 130 pounds 10 years ago only to gain it back and then some. I just don't want to live that life anymore with food as the center of my universe and I'm determined to cross "weight" off my worry list for good. I count calories as my plan. And I've transferred my food addiction to a 3FC addiction! :D

Good idea!

"Eliana" is my chosen Hebrew name.

I am married with two boys ages 8 and 9 and they are polar opposites. :D My family has taken on this health quest with me and you can see our progress in my signature. Our 8 year old is very healthy and active and has a palate for odd foods...frog legs for instance. LOL! So he is not included as he needs to just keep on keepin' on. We also have one 11 year old pup who weighs a whole 6.5 pounds. :D

I put on 70 lbs our first year of marriage and chocked it up to marriage weight. It wasn't until we tried to conceive baby #3 that I found out I had PCOS. I've been fighting to get the weight off ever since. It wasn't until my cousin showed up on my doorstep having lost 100 lbs that I finally got the message "calories in vs calories out".

And now I'm here. :D And I'm STAYING. I want to be a maintainer!

I'm Roxy, 31, married for about 2.5 years, no kids yet (16 yr. old step-daughter, but she lives in England with her mother), 5 cats, a bunch of strays outside that we feed (4-7 of them depending on who shows up that day), and also indoor and outdoor fish. I am in Arkansas, but I'm from Florida. I met my hubby in England, he is in the air force, 38, and from New York (Brooklyn). I am supposed to be a teacher, but I am currently unemployed. It is very difficult to handle your own career when you are a military spouse.

I started working on my weight (again!) in Feb. '09 because I have PCOS and the best cure is weight loss. I want to have a baby, so I must do something about the PCOS. I lost about 20 pounds by the beginning of April and then the cadbury eggs called my name and I gave up. At the beginning of July I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. That was terrifying. At that point I had gained back about 5 1/2 pounds of the 20 I had lost and weighed in at 230.6. In August I found 3FC and body bugg - 2 of my best weight loss tools. I have been working very hard since then and have had more success than ever before in my life. I reached a new low in my adult life of 182.6 yesterday, which is a double woohoo since my end of January goal was 186. The best part is that I don't see a future in which I will be quitting, I see a future where I will be running marathons while my husband and future child/children cheer me on. Right now I'm almost halfway to my goal weight, but I am actually hoping that I won't get all the way there for quite some time because we are still planning for that baby, I just have to be healthy enough first. My lab results are mostly normal now (cholesterol still a bit of a problem), but I want the diabetes to have been under control for a bit longer before trying for a baby. I'm currently working on becoming a runner, doing a 1,000 miles in 2010 challenge, 10,000 crunches in 2010 challenge, and the 100 push-ups challenge.

I'm Matt (you probably guess that).

I've been here on and off for a long time. I came here initially in 2002 and was successful in losing about 100 pounds or so. My lowest weight during that run was slightly under 300 pounds.

Then, I got into lots of old habits again and left 3fcs and put on all of the weight and then some more for good measure. My highest weight was somewhere over 450 pounds. The bariatric scale I had at the time maxed out at 450 and I got an error message when I initially tried to use it.

After deciding enough was enough after seeing some horrible pictures of myself, I decided to make another run at living a healthier life. I was finally able to see a weight on the scale on September 17th, 2007 that showed 446.8 pounds. That is what I use as my official starting weight.

Since then, after many ups and down, I'm now down close to 210 pounds and am just 40 pounds to goal.

This board has been great and I'm glad I came back here and have stuck around for a long time now.

I'm Heather (calluna...calluna vulgaris for you gardeners out there). I live in Alaska with my partner, two children (boys, 8 and 12), dogs (my beloved Great Pyrenees), and assorted cats, plants, and fish. My hobbies (or they are when I have time) are reading, growing African violets, and fountain pens.

My partner of about 4.5 years has a disability and a service dog. My weight was an issue, and I needed to get it off - also I figured if I was cooking better that my partner would benefit from it or go hungry. He's benefiting and liking it, which helps with the medical issues.

I successfully lost 50 lbs some years ago (starting from a lower weight) and was quite athletic. I really liked it! But then... baby... dissertation... moving... stressful new job ... and so on. Eventually I had to stop letting life stuff get in the way of my health, so there are no more excuses.

Hi!

I'm Techno, I'm 24 with a birthday coming up shortly, and I'm a 3FC newbie. I'm the mother of one, and am not planning on having anymore children.

I have three ferrets, and an anole. LOL. Our household also has a dog, three parrots, a cockatiel, and a handful of parakeets.

My daughter and I moved back in with my mom, and my younger sister a couple years ago. My sister is mentally handicapped, so, my presence is always welcome, as the extra help is always good for my mom. In return, I save a lot of money, and I have a lot of extra time. I'm currently seeking out employment, and I hope to go to school for nursing at some point.

I've been overweight since childhood, but, successfully lost weight using the old school Atkins diet with the help of my mom when I was around 11/12 years old. I got down to 120 lbs. and remained between that and 130 lbs. until I had my daughter.

I gained so much weight during pregnancy. I thought it was a free card to eat whatever, whenever I wanted.

I've been battling my weight since then. The lowest I can remember being after pregnancy is around 150/160 lbs.

At one point I got married, and ballooned up to 230/240 lbs. ( If not more. ) during. I was eating huge, unhealthy meals with my husband all of the time. ( We've been separated for years. )

I lost some of that weight since then, mostly hovering around 200/210/215/220 lbs.

I got down to 190 lbs. at the beginning of last year, with a low carbohydrate diet, and a gym membership.

Well, that didn't last for whatever reason. ( I think I plateaued, and said, "F_ck it." )

I remember going from 190 lbs, to 200 lbs., to 215 lbs., and back to 200 lbs. You get the idea.

I was attempting to diet before/during the holidays this last year, but, eventually gave in, thinking it was a horrible time to be depriving myself.

I got up to the 230lbs. that I started at on the 25th this month. I've already lost some weight. :D

I promised myself that this year, 2010, was the year.

The hardest part of losing weight for me is staying motivated. I have a lot to lose, and some days I just feel like it's pointless, and it's just going to take too long.

So far, so good. I love this forum, and all of the people on it very much already.

I'm Brandi and I live in Oregon with my husband (of barely 6 months!), our old dog Cooper, and 3 crazy cats. I was very athletic in high school and was around 185 when I graduated. I went to college and gained 40 pounds of the course of 4 years. I was able to get about 20 of that off before heading into graduate school. Ugh! What a disaster! In 3 years I was able to get up to 297 pounds! Yikes!

I graduated (thank goodness!) last June and am finally settling back into "myself" again. I'm ready to lose it for good this time and have found 3fc to be so helpful and inspirational. I have been a lurker for years, but finally dove in at the beginning of the year and am so thankful I did!

Hi!

My name is Lori and I currently live in New Mexico with my husband and 3 dogs (2 Papillons and a Pomeranian). I am turning 30 in 2 weeks :carrot: and am so excited because our 20's were rather difficult. We have been married almost 7 years and together for 12 (meet the first day of college at 18). We are finally looking at starting a family but want to get our weight (and my diabetes-type 1) under control. Both of us are trying to calorie count and eat healthy. So far we have both been doing really well.

I am a middle school teacher for Language Arts (English) and Drama. Love my job but heading back to school in the fall to get my counseling degree. We are moving to Austin, TX this summer and are so excited.

I decided it is time to really try and lose weight when I saw the pictures from our trip to Disney World last summer. There was a pic that I didn't know DH was taking and I looked horrible. When my parents came over and we were showing them pics from the trip I wanted to die when that pic came up.

So happy to be getting my life in order! I just know my 30's are going to rock! :D

Nice to meet everyone and thanks for all the advice!

I'm Cary, a telecomm programmer from my home by day, a singer by night.

I lurked on and off here for a few years. In April of 2009 I decided I'd like to lose the extra 100 lbs I had gained in one year at age 30, which was 20 years ago! I remembered 3FC a few months in and it's been my major source of support and inspiration.

At age 50 I feel I am healthier and sexier than I've been for more than 20 years. Pretty amazing what major weight loss can do for a girl...

a trifle ot... and a little giggle... all of us seem to have had bad picture experiences at one point or another...does that mean that we should change the old saying to "A picture is worth a thousand pounds?" ;)

calluna

Don't let my post count fool you. I'm pretty new, but I'm a compulsive poster.

My name is Raya. I live in the Pacific Northwest, moved here from Kentucky almost 3 years ago. Adjusting to the climate has been a bit tough, but I found love, and that makes it worthwhile. I'm married (a year and counting) with two grown daughters, one in heaven, and one grandson. I attend a clubhouse for people like me with disabilities, with the goal of getting back into the work force.

I've been fat since infancy and I'm determined to be in the best shape I can be, even if I'm still "overweight" by other people's standards. I want to find the weight my body wants to weigh, where it feels most comfortable. Often I need to remind myself that I'm doing the low-carb and exercise for other reasons besides weight loss. I'm diabetic, and low-carb is the only way of eating I have found that controls my blood glucose readings. Exercise gets the endorphins going and minimizes depression, which is a serious issue for me, and also helps with pain control. It's only been since last spring that I'm able to walk without a cane, for which I credit exercise. In all this, I find I am losing weight, and I'm getting so excited about it that I keep forgetting health is my goal, not appearance. :D

I am also a strong advocate for body acceptance, no matter what the size and shape. We are all beautiful, and we should treat ourselves as such.

Last, I'm very glad to have found this site. God bless us, every one. (shades of Tiny Tim in "A Christmas Carol.")

Hello my name is Caroline and I'm 37. I've been posting at 3FC for a little over 3 1/2 years now, working on weight loss for the same amount of time. It's been slow going for me, but I never give up, and that's really what it's all about, I think. At least that's what I tell myself when the scale refuses to budge!

I'm currently in Knoxville, Tennessee, though I consider myself a New Englander since that's where I spent my formative years. I've lived all over the country, so I guess I'm not really from anywhere anymore! It keeps things interesting, at least.

I'm a single librarian and share my space with a couple cats. I realize this makes me a total cliche, but I do my best to live it down. (One of the cats was actually foisted upon me by my coworkers because I was the one in the building with the least amount of cats in my house. True story. I am actually a dog person, but I'm never home, so cats it is.)

In my spare time I work out, then I work out some more. If I have any time left after that, I write fiction. Someday my goal is to publish something. (Nobody hold their breath.) During my work day I work a reference desk, as well as teaching computer skills to the public. It's not glamorous, but it's a living.

Hi I'm UBER...

I'm forty-eight years old, married, four kids, two professions. I don't like to give out much personally identifying info on the internet because well, I don't want to be identified.

I have a background of BINGE EATING DISORDER, more years than I can count, became morbidly obese after the birth of my first child and progressively got up to an all time high last spring.

Got some amazingly good news on June 19th, 2009 and quit binging cold turkey. I guess technically I "joined" 3FC back in 2007, but I think I only stuck around for a few days.

Since June, I've changed my life in more ways than I can count-- went from being an unhealthy, unhappy, unattractive couch potato, to a swimming, running, weight lifting, bundle of energy. Have lost 72 pounds to date.

I was very determined, but my access the the wonderful voices at 3FC has been a HUGE part of my journey.

As somebody said above, I've replaced binging with 3FC.

Hi I'm Tracey, I'm 42 and happily married to the hottest yummiest dude ever LOL for 18 years. I've been on here a long time, and over the course of about 2 years I've managed to drop about 105 lbs. I didn't do it dangerously fast as you can see ;) I feel almost guilty for the loss (KIDDING) because, unlike so many folks on here, I did NOT count every single morsel, did not eat only healthy things, did not exercise regularly, and didn't make sure I got all my required vitamins and minerals -- i did that with a multivitamin each morning LOL

What I DID do over those 2 years was ADMIT to myself that I was childish, selfish, self-indulgent and spoiled rotten, adn that led me to let my inner child 'drive my life' and my eating choices. Once I told that little brat to shut it things improved dramatically LOL I made better food choices more often than not, didn't snack after dinner, went for walks whenever I could (and even when I didn't want to), cut back on portion sizes and no 2nd helpings, and ate pretty normal food. I'm not one who wants a 'substitute' for every single thing, sometimes you just gotta have turkey & mashed potatoes and gravy and nothing else can substitute LOL

Life has improved mobility-wise, but I was a happy person to begin with. I'm not convinced that losing weight is the answer to happiness so many seek. I say find it within first, and the weight can take care of itself (with a little help of course ;) )

Reporting In
 

:wave: Howdy, I'm Zerain (a.k.a. Z).

At the end of August 2009, I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and shortly thereafter joined 3FC. My immediate goal at the time was to adapt to a new healthier lifestyle that I could maintain for life. I managed to get off all my diabetic meds, lose weight, and bring my other health issues into check. While I am still far from my goal weight, I now have the confidence to achieve my goals and the dedication to take each day as it comes. I have always been overweight and never considered dieting until last year. This place has been such a great help in my journey. 3FC rocks!!! :carrot::cb::broc:

Hi I'm Meagan! I'm 23. I'm from Indiana, currently in Hungary. I move way more than a normal person should. I've never stayed in one place more than a year since I turned 18. Moving from Indiana to New Jersey, to Italy, Germany, Maryland, back to Indiana and to Hungary. I guess I haven't found a place to call home just yet!

I work as an au pair while going to school for Criminology. Love my job as I like to watch kids. Love my major, as it is the only subject that can hold my attention! I graduate this summer and off to grad school (hopefully!).

I've been overweight....since birth. I have a lot of issues from being overweight, I think that it's made me guarded, probably in the worst ways. I have to work on myself while losing weight which is the hardest part! I've never really tried to lose weight until 2008. During that time period I realized I needed to lose weight and set my mind to do it. I took a period of time off from losing weight, maintained my 40 pound weight loss, and recently decided I can do it and have jumped in with both feet!

Hello! My name is Tammy. I am happily married to my love of my life Jeff... and we have three spectacular healthy fit and happy children. Madeline is 8 and has been dancing since she was 3 and competitively since she was 5. Olivia is 6 and has been dancing since she was 3 and competitively since she was 4! Phoenix is our little boy and he is 3 and enjoys thomas trains and dancing with his sisters.

I have two dogs (with one on the way). I show Rough Collies and just helped to get a championship on my first Rough girl Bella. She was my 100 lbs lost present. lol! The new puppy coming in April will be my 200? (or close to it!) pounds lost present!!! She'll be another rough collie girl.

I've been here since September of 2008 (I registered a user name years before but never used it) and started my journey on September 27, 2008. In that 16 months (plus one day!) I have lost 168.6 pounds!!!

I was a slim child and went through a period of depression lasting three years in my late teens. I ballooned up to 300 lbs and just kept going from there!

I WILL reach my goal weight of 150 pounds this year and KEEP IT OFF. That feels SO FREAKING GOOD!!!!

Hi, I'm Salsa and I'm obese.

(Hi, Salsa!)

I've been overweight since I can remember. Family lore says that when I was very young I had to be hospitalised for rapid and extreme weight loss, which I seem to have been making up for - with a vengance - ever since. Or, well, until last Summer anyway.

I'd had various half-hearted weight-loss attempts in my life, none of which lasted very long. Last Summer I had a breakdown and finally sought help for depression and in coming to terms with childhood abuse. I was a lurker here for a few weeks before jumping in and beginning to post, and with a sole exception everyone at 3FC has been so supportive, which I'm very grateful for! (as for that exception - the ignore feature is an excellent option ;) )

Hi everyone Im Matilda

Ive been a memeber since 08 lost a total of 35 lbs and gained some weight back. Im really hoping to get to goal this year. Im 30 years old single mom of two children. I work for a small accounting firm and I also attend college(studying to become an accountant) . Born and raised in NJ.

Hi, I'm Annie. I am 30 years old, married to my soulmate and have two daughters (8 and 9). We live in Ohio.

I was a normal weight (about 130lbs) until my mother died when I was 20. I had my daughters very soon afterwards and then my love of fitness began. I became a fitness trainer at a national gym and was training myself for figure competitions. I used strength training as a way to feel strong at a time when I really felt very weak. Soon afterwards, it all came crumbling down and I spent the next 6 years gaining weight and depressed. Ironically, I never had an eating disorder until I gained weight. My life came to a turning point last year and I finally got the help I needed to deal with old (and current) issues. Once I got my head on straight, I began taking better care of myself.

I ate better and exercised and was losing weight. Then, I tore up my ankle and couldn't do any of the things that were helping me. I felt so low and hopeless and gained back the weight I lost. But once my foot recovered (for the most part), I wanted to get back up and try again.

It never occurred to me that I actually could lose all of the weight and get to a thin goal. I just wanted to lose some weight. (To wear a size that doesn't require special stores.) Then, I found 3FC and my life changed. I saw people doing this and became so uplifted and confident that I can do it too! I can't remember whose signature it is, but the one that says "If you want it, you'll find a way, if you don't, you'll find an excuse," really opened my eyes to the excuses that I had accepted as facts. I really do have time to eat right and exercise. Imagine that! :) So, here I am doing it every day now and I have seen great results this month. I am so glad to have met all of you!! :D

I'm Niff. :) I joined in December.

I'm a SAHM and have one special daughter. I have always been overweight, but gained a big chunk of my current weight over the past couple years. My daughter was in the NICU for 7 1/2 months, so my idea of a meal became grabbing a burger in the hospital cafeteria. When we finally brought her home, she wasn't quite stable enough for me to leave her room for more than a minute or so at a time.. just enough to tinkle and wash my hands. We have nursing care but even our nurses had been afraid of taking the case full time. I didn't eat until my fiance came home from work, and then we would pig out on fast food. While she still has the same problems and requires the same intense care, she's much more stable and I can finally do something for me and not feel guilty about it.

Hi everyone, I'm Melissa. I'm 28, from western PA. I live with my husband, my fox terrier mix and two cats. I've been overweight my whole life, but in Feb 09 I decided that I had enough, I found 3FC shortly afterwards and I've been looking here for support ever since!

Hello, I'm Catherine. I'm a 42-year-old American married for almost 13 years to an Englishman and living in England with him and our two cats. I'm a writer, an avid gardener, a compulsive reader and knitter.

I've been battling with my weight since childhood, although, in retrospect, putting me on that first diet was sheer idiocy on the part of my parents, because I honestly wasn't fat, just comparatively bigger than average. (I topped out at 6' in my early teens.) It all spiraled out of control into a good thirty years of binging disorder, which concluded when I hit the wall hard in August of 2008, decided to just STOP being angry and bitter about it all, and do something about it, because I absolutely could not stand living like that a moment longer.

I showed up here after I'd lost somewhere in the neighbourhood of 140 pounds, I think? I really can't recall, but it's been a few months, anyway. :) My life has improved immeasurably since I started losing weight, and although I'd lost substantial amounts of weight a few times before, it never stuck. This time is so much different, because not for one minute have I wanted to quit. I haven't even considered it. I am closing in on my original goal of 195, which will put me at about 10 pounds overweight. I plan on adjusting that goal downwards when I hit it -- I'd very much like to be not overweight at all -- but mostly, I'll know what's the right weight once I get there. I love this new lifestyle, and it's been worth every bit of effort I've put into it.

This is a wonderful place, and I wish I'd found it at the beginning of this project, because even though I did really well on my own, it's just so NICE to have other people to talk to about it.

Hullo, I'm Rae. :)

I live in Oregon alone (but not lonely!) on a 35-acre farm with 3 dogs (German shepherd, Border Collie and miniature Dachshund), 4 cats, 3 goats, 2 llamas, a horse and a dozen chickens. I'm self-employed and able to work from home -- good thing, or I'd never be able to keep up with everything I need to take care of on this place! My primary "crop" is trees.

Married twice, the first time to an old friend with whom we should have left things in that realm, and the second time to the perfect man for me. Almost unendurably, he died in October of 2007.

My weight gain has been sporadic... I was slim until I was 27, then diagnosed with hypothyroidism. I got the weight off in my mid 30s and kept it off for quite a long while. When I married my second husband, he was very into my home cooking but had a strong preference for all the wrong things: Butter, cream, pasta, beef... all the wrong stuff. I indulged his preferences much to my own detriment.

I joined 3FC quite a long time ago but didn't get serious about weight loss until the summer of 2007. My husband's death derailed that effort for a long time. I tried again in early 2009 but began to feel guilty as soon as male attention turned my way. I quit.

This time, I'm ready. The weight is coming off, it's easy, and the male attention is fine.

3FC is an invaluable resource -- a place for inspiration, encouragement and friendship!! I couldn't do it without the 3FC folks!!!

Rae

Hello, I'm Sarah. I'm from Southwestern Ontario Canada, 33 years old, divorced, in love with a wonderful man who unfortunately lives 12 hours (by car) away from me. I've been heavy since about grade 4, tried everything thing, but depression stopped any loss in its tracks within a few weeks.
I had a referral for the gastric bypass surgery, but decided not to go, that I'd rather do it on my own. This was in 2005. I'm not sure what my highest weight was, but I would wager at least 50 pounds from the top weight I have listed on here.
I've been on this site since July 2009.

Hi, I'm Mariella and I just joined the forum a few days ago. I was shocked to learn earlier this month that I weighed in at 241. That put me 101 pounds above my ideal "chart" weight of 140 and was a huge wake up call for me. I copied the rest of this from my original intro post in the main "intro" section, hope that's ok!

I'm a 50-ish female and I've always been reasonably fit although I've struggled with weight fluctuations of 25 to 30 lbs throughout adulthood.

Was never on the "obsese" side of the BMI chart.

Six years ago I started sliding downhill toward full fledged obesity.

Hormones, stress and major life changes triggered binge eating, depression and low motivation.

I gained 50 pounds that first year and hit the 200 mark for the first time in my life. I dieted a few times between 2005 and 2007 - WW and my own modification of the Scarsdale diet. I would take off a few pounds, very slowly, and then plateau for weeks on end, which leads me to just give up.

Since March of 2008, I have not "dieted" at all and I had not weighed myself.

I feel like crap, my blood pressure is in the "high normal" pre dangerous range, I retain water like a sponge and my jeans size keeps getting bigger. I have horrible digestive problems - I used to have a truly cast iron stomach and perfect "regularity" now I feel like I must have IBS. I have four different size clothes in my closets. This fall I graduated from a size 18 to a size 20 but still I would not weigh myself. I kept telling myself I don't really eat that much and I don't binge anymore so there's probably just nothing I can do.


Finally, the digestive issues the past two months have just been insane and so I decided to come out of denial and start keeping a food diary. After three days of journaling I realized I needed to track and limit calories and make better food choices. I looked up the number of calories needed to maintain my goal weight and decided to make that the goal for my daily caloric intake.

Eight days ago, after five days of "dieting" I got on the scale and discovered I had put on another 40 pounds since early 2008. I weighed in at 241.

Now I am more motivated than ever to continue what I've started. I have dropped 7 pounds (as of today, I weighed in at 232.5 so its 9.5 lbs now since the day I weighed myself and I feel soooo much better already!

I work at my computer most of the day so having the forum open so I can grab a tiny bit of inspiration anytime I want to is suuuuccchhhh a big help!

Thanks to all who share here! :)

Hi! I'm Karen. :wave: I'll be turning 34 next month. No kids yet and have never been married, but I'm currently on my second engagement. ;)

I've lost about 35 pounds since I've been here this summer, making for a grand total of over 110 altogether. I have about another hundred to lose, but I know I can do it. :dizzy: I'm really anxious to at least get down to 220 again, which was my lowest weight as an adult! That should get me out of plus sizes. :D

I was severely depressed around 2004 when I was at my highest weight of 360. I had a whole slew of health problems, most of which have since have been reduced to nearly nothing or have diminished entirely since I've lost the weight I have. I was also in a bad relationship at the time and was dealing with the death of my father, which was especially hard after already losing my mother shortly out of high school.

My ex and I both had a lot of issues with food, and when I tried to eat right and have an overall healthier lifestyle, he resisted every moment of it. I managed to lose about 75 pounds while I was with him though before settling at a plateau.

Anyway, I'm with a wonderful new guy now that I met online, who's been so very supportive. I moved from the midwest out to Vegas to be with him, and after some of what I've been through was very grateful for the chance to start over. This past summer I decided to break through my plateau and make even more progress to a healthier, happier me.

Aside from the weight issues, I was sexually abused as a child, been diagnosed as clinically depressed, and also have agoraphobia, which sometimes makes day-to-day living difficult. At my worst point I was unable to leave the house by myself. So I have issues, but I at least have my sense of humor to get me by most of the time. :) I recently began driving again now that I have an automatic (the BF has a stick; although I learned to drive one it gave me panic attacks). I've been doing better overall lately with my people skills, have gotten active at the local YMCA, am regaining my overall independence, and hope to feel "normal" soon, whatever that might be. :dizzy:

I love cartoons and animation in general, and am a *huge* Disney fan. I also love to draw and digitally color. I make all the avatars I use here (that's me in my current one!) and designed my Dory weight-loss ticker (although I had to have someone else code it for me since I couldn't even begin to do that part on my own, lol).

Other than that? I like to keep tabs and read what everyone's been up to for inspiration. I don't feel I have a lot of advice to offer but like to chime in every so often with my own experiences. I'm what I'd call a part-time vegetarian, but I'm probably more of a borderline carnaphobe (a term I didn't even know until recently).

Anyway, I thought I'd stop and join in in the roll-call. I wish everyone luck as we continue to cheer each other on. :)

I'm Scarlett, 25 years old, happily married for almost 4 years. I've been here on 3fc for a long time, I remember posting about my upcoming wedding, lol. We have two gorgeous boys now, ages almost 2 and almost 2 months. I am currently working towards a 2nd bachelors degree, with hope for a masters to follow. I work full time (still on maternity leave) at a job in the field of my first bachelors and will probably be quitting soon to focus on my babies and school. I've been overweight since I was about 14. Obviously, I've tried to lose weight off and on but have not made it under 200. I reached 300 right around my wedding (nice, right?) and have been over it ever since. I'm very close to getting back under that hateful number and I am VERY excited about it!

I'm Heidi...I'm 29 years old (30 in March) and I'm from Indiana. I have a wonderful husband of 9 years, a 7 year old DD, and 2 cats.

I've been slightly overweight since puberty, got up to 190 when I was 15, down to 160 at 17 and it pretty much been up, up, up since then. A LOT of my weight gain is due to laziness (we ate out 99% of the time), and I'm just sick of it.

DH (he needs to lose about 60lbs) and I started trying to lose weight in April of last year and did really well until the end of July. We continued to start and stop until Jan. when we got back to it full force. I had lost about 40 lbs, and I gained all but 2.5 back.

I'm so happy to be here, ya'll give me SUCH inspiration, and I love to see that success really is possible!

Hi, I'm Carrie (and I just loved reading this thread). I've been on this website for about a year and a half. I read the posts all the time but I don't post a whole lot myself. I guess you can classify me as a semi-"lurker".

I've always been in the "a few extra lbs" category, until a couple of years ago. I left an unhealthy relationship and was dealing with other personal issues which left me giving up on myself in a lot of ways. I put on 60 lbs in just the last couple of years.

This time feels different than the rest of the times I have tried to lose weight. It feels like I've actually adopted a new lifestyle. I'm really proud of myself.

I am 32 yrs old, divorced for several years, 2 great children at home. I live in SW Ontario Canada and a professional career I really love. I like running. It's starting to become my new obsession.

My goal is to lose 100 lbs. I'm 30 down.

I'm Tori from Kansas. I'm 26 and have been married for almost 3 years. My husband and I have 2 kids, an almost 3 year old girl and a boy who will be one in February. I'm a nursing student. I'm here at 3FC after complications with blood pressure during my last pregnancy. Took me a little time to get serious, but its time to get all the baby weight off, plus that extra I gained after high school. Baby number 2 is off, now its time to get rid of the rest!

I'm Jo! I'm 25, lesbian(ish), atheist, very much a geek. I live in Dawsonville, GA with my two cats and, soon, two roommates. I just spent the day helping one of them paint a Starry Night mural in their to-be bedroom.

In 2007, watching my weight skyrocket from terrible eating habits, I decided to get a lap band surgery. Unfortunately, my eating habits didn't change, and I soon gained back the little weight I'd lost. But thankfully this taught me that I couldn't rely on anything except my own strength. In March 09, at 280 lbs, I started a new weightloss plan. I learned about food and struggled to control my eating.

I lost over 50 lbs by that September. Unfortunately I then let myself relax, and stalled out for six months. Now I'm back in the saddle and fighting the pounds, and so far it looks good.

My hobbies include everything geekdom. Anime, steampunk, sci-fi, comics, video games, cosplay, anything and everything. I suppose I'm what you would call "eclectic". My X-men statue sits next to a unicorn plushie, my fursuit mask, some Japanese calligraphy, and a nerf pistol. My interests also span into animals and nature, science, history, the arts, and home decor. I went through a horse phase AND a dinosaur phase as a child. Most recent hobby : roleplaying breedable pets on GaiaOnline.

In personality, I'm friendly but anxious. I watch conversations more than I participate, and I try to get along with everyone. I'm a bit of a doormat, but I'm working on that... I kicked out my previous passive-aggressive roommate, for instance. Losing his friendship meant I lost almost all my friends as well, and I'm still struggling with the loneliness it's bought me, and what it did to my self esteem. But it helps terribly to have one solid, true friend, and thankfully I do. With her help, I'm slowly building up my confidence again.

I've become amazed at how much I've learned about myself this last year. I never thought I'd be a person who could give up soda altogether, who would willingly get on a treadmill because I enjoy it. And yet, I am. It's easier to stay on plan now, and I understand what I did wrong when things go south. And most important, I've learned enough patience to last Six Bloody Months of no progress whatsoever, without going mad and binging. Considering the longest I ever dieted before was one month, I'm darn proud of myself.

Howdy, I'm Jan - a displaced Texan struggling to adjust to small(er) town life in southern Arizona where I live with my partner of 20 years and our 4-pack of delightful dogs and cats.

I'm a classic yo-yo'er who wasn't fat until early 20's. In fact I was a college athlete in the dark and distant past. This time my partner is being a real help in making our entire way of life a change - from eating healthy to being more active as a couple. I'm getting too old to do this again...

Hi, my name is April and I'm a 43 yr old single mom from Eden, N.C. My sons are grown now (20 & 22), so I decided that now it's time to take better care of ME! My short-term goal is to get into a size 14, which will be about 51 lbs from now, and my long-term goal is to get back into a size 12, which is about 98 lbs from now. It was 103 til today at Weight Watcher weigh-in, where I discovered I've lost another 5 lbs, bringing my total weight loss to 30 lbs...I am totally excited! If anyone's interested, my food intake journal and my workout plan are linked into my blog, which is linked to the left of my post. Good luck to all of you!!! :hug: