Hi everyone! I have been lurking for the last couple weeks and have totally enjoyed all the information and encouraging photos on this website. So...I figured it was high-time I registered. I found this forum just a few hours after I found another forum that I joined. I wasn't going to join another forum, but I found myself coming back here to look at posts and pictures. So...I'll fess up...I now post to 2 forums. I just can't help it...I find it very encouraging to hear stories and get info. Obsessed with weight loss??? Well...if that is what it takes for me to lose this weight, then obsessed I will be!

Here is my story...

I have always struggled with weight. When I was married almost 6 years ago, I weighed about 170 lbs. It wasn't too long after that that I LEAPED to around 235 lbs. I can't believe how quickly that happened!!! I went on the Atkins diet and lost about 30 lbs...and messed up my kidneys. Thankfully, there was no permanent damage done, but I did have to go off the diet. Shortly after that, I was pregnant. After I had my 1st child, I dropped right back down close to my pre-pregnancy weight. Then, UP I went again. About 11 months after my 1st was born, I was weighing in at about 230 - 240ish and once again was expecting. Well...after my 2nd was born, I dropped back down to almost pre-preg weight and then gained it all back PLUS some even while nursing! So...at the beginning of this year (Jan 2006), I started trying to lose weight. I weighed 255 lbs! I started out doing low-carb, then switching to low fat, then low-carb...and so on. From January until a few weeks ago, I had lost a total of about 12 lbs. Frustrating! I felt like I was getting no where FAST! So...that is when I got online and started trying to figure out why I wasn't losing weight very well. That is when I learned about calorie counting! I was curious to see if it would actually work for me. So, a little dubious, I gave it a try. The first week I lost 4 lbs!!! What a boost that gave me! I have now lost a total of 25 lbs since the beginning of the year. I am doing about 1200 - 1300 cals a day.

I will add I am 28 years old and 5'5".

Thank you for reading this!

Hi there and , Bep! Come right on in and make yourself comfortable! Glad you're here and congrats on the 4 pounds!

Dear bep!

Hello there! My name is Angela and I am also what you might call new to the site and to this calorie counting business. I used to diet with Atkins and South Beach but always gained the weight back. It finally dawned on me it's because neither of those diets work with my lifestyle. I just don't like eating alot of meat - healthy lean meat, bacon, steak, whatever - it's just not the way I want to live the rest of my life. A few years ago I did the LA Weight Loss program. It's a restricitive diet but includes protein, carbs, fruit, etc. but in small portions. I lost 20 pounds before giving up and then managed to gain it all back in a few months. About a year later I did Weight Watchers and also lost weight, but again, I gained it back. Both diets involved calorie reduction and even though I didn't keep the weight off, I realized that watching calories is, in my mind, the healthiest and most practical way to lose and maintain a weight loss. No gimmicks, no fads, just being and eating healthy.

It seems to be working well for you! I'm glad you found the site, as did I. It is quite encouraging, isn't it? We are in a similar boat....I too am 5'5"(ish) and am about to turn 28 years old. No kids yet, but I'm getting married in September. If you ever want to chat, vent, find encouragment, encourage, whatever, please send me a private message. Good luck to you and a big CONGRATULATIONS on your 25 pounds lost - that is awesome!!

Sincerely,
Angela

BEP ~~ I also belong to another weight loss site, but I seem to find my way here most of the time. I agree with you that there are so many interesting posts to read and motivating pictures to look at! Just start posting and you will soon see how many nice encouraging people are here!

Thank you all so very much!!!

Hi Bep!!! I enjoyed your post. Sounds like me a little. I am new to this site and I was addicted the first few days! I enjoyed reading all the stories and seeing the pictures. Very inspirational. So much going on. I wish you luck on your journey, so far so good!