Hey everyone, I've been introducing myself on some of the other threads, and found this little group. My name is Ana, but y'all can call me by any of my nicknames, Tiger, Tigrr, Tig, "hey you!" ... whatever's clever! So anyways, thought I'd give you guys a quick intro and my goal:
I'm 19 and found out earlier this year that I have rheumatoid arthritis (it's a pain in the, well, everywhere). I was around 155 and was told by my rheumatist as well as by my physician that losing weight will make a positive difference not only with my arthritis, but with my overall health as well. I'm only 5'1, so my doctors suggested a weight of 110-120, with 120 "pushing it, hard." So my goal is 115, a happy medium. Currently I'm at 142, after losing 7.2 lbs with Weight Watchers. I have 7 lbs to go to reach my 10% goal, and 27 to reach my long term goal. I've been losing really great with WW, and hope to continue. For a while I was on some medication that made me gain weight (I'm still on it, but now it's a lowed doasge so I'm not gaining the weight) and hopefully if I reach my goal, I can be completely off meds. I want to loose all the weight by April 2007, when I move out of my parents' house for the first time and go to culinary school (oh boy). I'm going to find a WW meeting there that I will go to, since I will really need help maintaining my loss, especially in the field I'm getting into.

Phew, that was longer than I thought! Anyway, you all seem like a lovely bunch of ladies, and I can't wait to get to know you all!

- Tig

Hello!

Welcome Feel free to jump into our chat thread!

Tgrrr

Culinary school .... You certainly can join this thread and our weekly one, 'cause we want some of those fabulous recipes you'll be learning in school ....

Good to meet you!!

I see that our weight goals are close and I was diagnosed at 13 with JRA (Juvinille rheumatoid arthritis)so we have alot in common. My arthritis been pretty much in remission for a few years now (excercise and yoga help alot although my knees make some pretty unusual sounds sometimes)...only acts up here and there. THANK GOD!! But when i was in Jr/High school I literally couldnt walk for two years. I consider myself blessed...I have seen other people literally changed into new shapes from JRA. Good luck !! Im pushing 40...no sign of Lupus yet (Lupus and JRA go hand in hand....not everyone...but almost) so Im hoping for the best. Having arthritis young sucks and I can certainly relate.

thanks for your replies! people here seem super swell already!

Ilene- I have an awesome recipe i found through weight watchers for some amazing chocolate chip blondies. even my non-dieting friends loove them (i get many many birthday requests for them). I can post the recipe if you'd like!

Button- rheumatiod stuff sucks butt. i'm on methotrexate right now and weaning off prednisone, so the pain is pretty much ok (when it's not, it's ibuprofen to the rescue!), but my knees also make super weird sounds sometimes, too. it's usually after i'm standing or sitting for too long.

good luck to all of you on your weight loss!

Tig -- chocolate chip blondies sound yummy!!! You certainly can post it and when you do you can start a Recipe Thread for the Featherweights...

hmm, that's not a bad idea... i think i'll start a new thread then!