[RMetalBroad]

The name's Paula, or "Metal" amongst my internet buddies. I'm a 31 year old divorcee, my weight loss started after I left my Ex-husband, I was 325 lbs when I left and I have lost nearly 100 in the 3 years since.

I used to live in the San Fernando Valley (a few miles outside of Los Angeles, CA) and moved to Santa Barbara a short time ago (July '09). I moved up here to go to school, gonna work on my prerequisite classes and try to get into the nursing program. The fact that my boyfriend lives up here is a big plus as well.

I am a medical assistant for an awesome Opthalmologist, this is the first job I've had as an adult where I do not sit on my arse all day. It's nice but I am still trying to get used to the exhaustion.

I am also a bicycle commuter and have been for a year (I even got a blog about it, that I don't seem to update enough, because I'm out cycling all the damn time). When I lived in the SFV, my commute to work was 30 miles round trip, but that was on flat land. Here in Santa Barbara, my commute is 9 miles round trip, but we have crazy hills here and I ride a single speed steel european style bike, so I feel like I'm getting more of a workout. While cycling is a good way to burn fat, it also adds a bit of muscle so my thighs are huge. They've always been a bit on the bigger side but trying to buy a pair of scrubs can be a real PITA with these thighs.

Anyways, I'm on South Beach, I just finished phase one and am SO happy to incorporate a bit more fiber (cereal) into my diet. so if there are any other SBD'ers here, I'd love to gab about it.

oh and cycling...

Be warned, sometimes I ramble, and use ellipses...

[SnowWolf]

Congrates on your wieght loss! Hope you like here, and don't worry, we all ramble here form time to time.

[ernurse]

You are doing awesome, keep up the good work with the weight loss and also going back to school. School is definately a different kind of stress but it's okay...Get the most out of your schooling because when you start working as a nurse, that's when the real learning takes place. And the fact that you are medical assisting now, definately helps. hugs..

[srmb60]

Hi and welcome!

Have you found the Soth Beach threads?

[Onederchic]

Hi and welcome to 3FC!

Congrats on your success and good luck with your goals.

Hugs
Michelle

[RMetalBroad]

Well, I haven't posted to this, or any other forum, here since this introduction. It's been hard ever since I moved up. My job is absolutely wonderful, I've no complaints about that. School was hard but I expected it. Finding time to spend with the boyfriend was harder, life got in the way, since things were not working out (we were not happy), I decided to end things with him. I did this the night before finals, about a month ago. He wanted to remain friends, which is a new concept for me. I am finding that we are nicer to each other now that we are friends and it's messing with my emotions so I am not hanging out with him for the month of January (at least).

I gained 20 pounds since moving up to Santa Barbara. Buying food at the college cafeteria is convenient, but the food is so bad. Holiday eating had a part in the gain as well. I've never really liked the holidays (bad childhood w/horrible mother) and living in a new city and getting over a breakup made things just that much worse. I haven't been able to fit into my favorite pair of jeans since early November.

SBD wreaks havok on my digestive system so I cannot do much of that anymore. Shortly before New Years, I decided that I was going to join Weight Watchers. I had been a member before, 7 years ago, and lost over 20 lbs on it. I felt that I really needed the community that WW meetings provides as well as the accountability of weighing in each week. I went to my second meeting yesterday morning and lost 3.5 lbs

I'm still nursing a broken heart and still cannot fit into my favorite pair of jeans but I am commited to my weight loss journey. I will be 32 in a few weeks and I no longer want to waste my life being a fat chick.

[rantONrantOFF]

[leeway]

Hi Metal!
Sounds like you're back on track and off to a great start - the support you need is here - we'll all be here to cheer you on.

Glad to have you back with us! There are lots & lots of different groups and forums - I'm sure you'll find some that will keep you motivated and inspired - you'll be a wonderful addition to any of them. Try the 30 somethings, weight watchers and the weight loss support forums, they're active and very helpful - also the Success stories are a definite must for motivation.

There are bunches of people here with more to lose and some with less - the bottom line is that we all have to do it a day at a time. The good thing is that we'll have lots of company along the way.

I've only been here since last fall, having NEVER been part of an online forum. What has been so eye-opening is how much it has helped me. Whenever I feel overwhelmed or defeated, I just log on and read some of the success stories, complete with their before & after photos - or read about others still dealing day to day with their challenges - and before I know it, the time has flown by and so have all the thoughts of going off track or giving up. It has made all the difference in my success so far.

So welcome back - you 're in the right place - join in by inspiring us and being inspired!

All the best - good luck with your goals - 2010 will be the year,
Lee