I can't believe how many people have joined this community today! Let me toss my hat into the ring!
My name is Cindy and I live in the southeast US. My weight is at 207 and I am only 5' tall. So it looks really heavy on me! BUT - I am in my 40's and with age comes acceptance, with love, of oneself so I don't feel sorry for me. I DO want to be healthy again and live a little longer than I will if I don't lose some of this weight so I became a gym rat in March

. I joined the local Y and I really love it. I go everyday (well, I strive for everyday) and I do cardio and weight training. Since I felt I needed some direction, I also sprung for a personal trainer courtesy of the Y. She has beaten me into submission!!!! Lisa is great and I will probably extend my 6 weeks into 6 more weeks of training.
For those with Graves disease or hypothyroid, you know how hard it is to lose even 1 pound. I had my thryoid destroyed in 2000 after having reached a weight of 225. I went on a low carb diet for 3 years, got down to 180 but got so tired of eating low carb and wondering about long term effects. So, I stopped, gained back all but 15 of those pounds and am now starting over without low carbing. I think I will try watching the carbs, calories and fats. Geez, I'll starve!
Anyway, thanks for the opportunity to know you and use you for support and suggestions to make this easier. I will do the same for you!
Namaste,
cindy