Hi,
I'm new and know myself well enough to know if I don't get this 1st post done, I'll lurk for the next three months, eat some doritos, then give up entirely. Okay, a little about me. I've been thin to average size for the better part of my life mainly because I was very active. About 6 1/2 years ago, I started putting on a little extra weight from a little extra snacking and stopped moving around as much. About 5 1/2 years ago, a little extra became uncontrollably more and not moving around as much became glued to my bottom and I put on about 60 pounds in just under a year (don't believe me? I'll show you the stretch marks -- which just aren't as worth it without a baby to show for it!... by the way, I won't actually show you the stretch marks... I haven't even peeked at myself in any mirror bigger than my face for at least 3 years). I came across this site in one of my many failed attempts to get started back on a path to becoming someone I can be proud of again -- and I don't just mean being a smaller chickie... I mean everything that has changed along with pants size that I'm wholly unhappy with -- and, from the vibe I got when looking around, I felt like this might be a good place for me so here I am

Hi Ready4aChange, and

Congratulations for getting back on the path to being smaller and healthier...it is a GREAT first step! And this is a wonderful place to be, full of very supportive people, lots of ideas, and just plain kicks in the behind when necessary.

Sounds like you know what you need to do - get more active, eat healthier. Do you have a plan you're looking to follow? Have you set any exercise or food goals?

Look around, find a spot or two, and post away! Can't wait to get to know you better, and I'm SO glad you didn't go into 3 months of lurk mode!

Thanks for the warm welcome I'm actually starting at a reasonable pace with the exercise (I believe in building slowly) so I'm starting with the Leslie Sansone walking with light weights (starting at 1 mile a day, adding some further abs, etc. after I have that down for a week or 2, then moving to the next level when I'm ready -- 2 miles, adding more strength training and go from there... hopefully!). As far as the diet, I'm not doing a diet per se. I'm decreasing portion size and giving myself a meal cut-off time for now. I'd like to do 6 small meals a day, but I need to do more planning so I'll get to that, but need a place to start for now.
Again, thanks for the welcome!

Congrats. on not lurking. I lurked for 5 years. `````````````````By the way, I love that walking program.

Good luck.