About Me - Hello, everyone! I'm a 21-year-old mother and college student. My darling son, Ramsey, is 5 months old. I have one year of school left at the University of Cincinnati.

History - I ate my way to 220 pounds in high school, then got down to 162 on Weight Watchers. Thanks to living in college dorms, I put on the freshmen 10 AND the sophomore 10. So, I weighed 200 when I got pregnant. I gained 85 pounds, which brought my grand total up to 285. Four weeks postpartum, I was down to 245. A month later, I started exercising 30-60 minutes/day and eating healthy. Two months later, I had somehow gained over 5 pounds.

Fresh Start - On Thursday, at 251.4 pounds, I began counting calories. I can't wait to see the results!

Hey, Christina! I'm fairly new here also...we are in the same age range. I'm 20.

That's great that you're counting calories, I can't ever do that! too much math lol and besides, I just eat when I know is right for me and skip what I know is wrong--I think it's easier that way. Good luck!

hi christina!

I'm around the same age too and I'm counting calories as well. I did it pretty well for about 2.5 weeks and lost 4lbs, then fell off the wagon. But I'm back on it now and working out as well. yay for the ipod food journal app!

Nice introduction, Hi Christina

counting calories is right step in losing weight

Glad you found us! Post often so we get to know you!
You CAN do this! And - 3FC is a GREAT resource. The chickies around here are awesome!

Welcome! I am 20 and my son is 13 months! Being a mom is so much fun, you must be so busy with school as well. I started out in January at 251.7 and I'm 5'8" too so we're like exactly the same! I started January 13th and I've lost 31 pounds so as long as you stick to it, you will lose! Good luck on your journey, hope to see lots of posts from you!

Thanks for the warm welcome! I've been lurking on 3FC for a week or so and finally decided to sign up tonight.

Galaxia - Do you have any calorie counting tips for me?

Leah - Too funny! 251 is a good place to start. How are you losing your weight?

I started with just eliminating any bad food and taking my son for walks at least three times a week. Now that I have thedailyplate.com and am learning more and more recipes, I count calories (I try to stay between 1300-1650) because if I eat any less I don't lose a thing and any more just feels like too much. I also do a one hour cardio workout for my physical therapy (ACL Replacment March 19th) twice a week and still try to walk with my son or do resistance training every other day. It sounds like such a plan written out like that but life is always throwing curveballs so I just find the healthiest things I can if I'm out and just go with it.

My weight loss has slowed rather dramatically and I'm thinking that not watching my sodium intake was causing me to retain water as the scale would very about three pounds either way some mornings. I'm also trying to ease up on exercise as I have felt rather run ragged lately. I'll start again soon.

Good luck on your weight loss! This is just the greatest site. See you around!

My stats:
SW 251.7
CW 219.5 (As of this morning)
GW 160 (With my height and frame, I can't imagine weighing less would be very easy for me to maintain.)

Hi Christina!

Hi and
When I got started again, the first thing I did was eliminate bad food and exercise more. Then I had the time to figure out HOW I was going to lose the weight long term.
I am in my 4th week here. I took off 1/2 my weight on my own and am really jazzed about working on the rest here at 3FC.
The forums are great and I think there is support for just about everything you need.

Best wishes!

Thanks, everyone!