I am currently 5'10 and 190#. My weight has fluctuated between 175 and 195 since highschool. I have a small body frame and really should weigh about 140#. I have struggled with low self-esteem related to my weight for as long as I can remember. Even now when I'm at a bar and a guy talks to me, I only think about the negative..he just sees a chubby chick and thinks it will be easy to take her home. Currently I am in the semester from **** at college (alot of difficult classes) and think it would be a good time to get my weight under control because I can't go out alot and have very structured days. I am going on a cruise to Alaska with my family 6/25. I plan to loose 5# a month for the next 5 months and be 165# by the cruise. This would be thinner than I've ever been at this height.

I am a nutrition major (even though I have trouble following good nutrition advice, I find the science and psychology of it fascinating). Using a very reliable formula to calculate how many calories I need per day I found out I need 2,200 calories per day to maintain my weight and about 1,600 per day to loose a little over a pound per week. I believe that following a plan that preaches small consistent changes will help me more than fast drastic changes. I think this is a good community to post how I'm doing to sort of keep me honest. If anyone out there wants to be my buddy, maybe talk on AIM for 15 min or so a week and talk about our progress that would be great.

Hi Catherine,
I'm also in college too, and I've been struggling with my weight since I've been here. I've lost some since I've been on this forum though! It's a great support system to get you motivated.
If you ever want to talk to me on Aim or something, just PM me and let me know!

There are many people going through similar struggles on 3FC. Maybe you'd like to check out the 20-something's thread area.

Best of luck!!

Hey Catherine -

Just one note...no matter how reliable a formula, our bodies aren't machines...you may need more or fewer calories than what the formula says. So take the time to experiment and find a level that is right for you, and don't worry if it isn't in line with some mathmatical equation.

Other than that, look around and keep posting! We have tons of people here from all walks of life...including several college students. You also may want to look at the "20-somethings" forum - lots of folks around your age range, with daily check in threads and plenty of room to find new buddies. Most important, keep visiting and contributing. Can't wait to see you around soon!

thanks guys. 1,600 calories is really just what I plan to start with, I really don't want to loose more than 2# per week (I want this to be something I can stick to) so if I find I am loosing more weight than I want to I may increase that numer or vice versa.