3 Fat Chicks on a Diet Weight Loss Community - Hello...New Here and Getting Started Today!

Hi Everyone,
I just found this forum, and it looks so supportive and informative that I wanted to give it a go!
How I came to weight loss is a bit of a winding story. I had PCOS/Insulin resistance as a teenager, but was never diagnosed with it (Went without my monthly cycle for almost 8 years, gained a tremendous amount of weight at that point) I moved out on my own about 10 years ago at my heaviest, around 260 or so pounds. I started eating better and have gotten to around 215 now, basically eating whatever I wanted in moderation.
However, a few things have happened over the last few weeks that made me decide I need to step up the weight loss efforts a bit...
1 - I was diagnosed with pre-diabetes, which means that realy diabetes is not too far off
2 - My favorite aunt passed away at age 62 due to a heart attack - She did not take care of herself, and my heart just breaks over the fact that she could have been with us for much longer if she was healthier
3 - My very best friend in the world actually apologized to me for a comment he made about "fat people." He was trying to be sensitive, but it really hurt my feelings...I know I'm overweight, but I never saw myself as fat, exactly. By the same token, he is on a strict Paleo diet and does Crossfit five times a week and has lost 75 pounds in the last 6 months, but all he does is talk about diet and exercise, it's like he has nothing else meaningful in his life. While I don't want to see myself as fat, I also would like diet and exercise to be a reasonable part of my life, not the whole thing.

So these are the things that have brought me to the South Beach Diet and here today. I've read the book, I believe in the concept, so here goes with good fats and minimal good carbs. I am excited to find this board, and hope to meet lots of you who are on the same journey I am. I know that group support is invaluable, so I am excited to see how everyone is doing every day! Looking forward to meeting you all!