3 Fat Chicks on a Diet Weight Loss Community

Hello! My name is Leigh Ann and I just registered here. I stepped on the scale the other day and I was just 0.2 pounds away from a number I never thought I would see. This came as quite a shock, so I decided right then and there that I would change things for good.

I have a few obstacles in my way: I was born with spina bifida, which led to kidney disease. I can't do any low-carb/high-protein diets because too much protein makes the kidneys work too hard, so I am doing a lot of research to find the best diet for me. I also have lupus (diagnosed in 2006), so sometimes I have flares of inflammation and fatigue. However, I have used these things as excuses for too long. Yes, I have lupus, but that doesn't mean I have to eat McDonald's value meals four times a week or not eat any vegetables. It's time to hold myself accountable for my eating and exercise habits.

I started last Tuesday and have been able to make some good changes right away. I cut out soda and junk food. I've replaced red meat with broiled chicken and vegetarian meals. I'm eating breakfast now, which I never used to do. I'm actually eating a lot more food than I was; the difference is, I am eating fresh produce, nuts and lean meats in controlled portions and not salty fries, fat-laden chicken nuggets and carbonated drinks.

My starting weight was 249.8 and I've been able to lose 3.4 pounds since I started, so I'm now at 246.4. My goal weight is 120 pounds. I'm looking forward to getting to know all of you and possibly sharing some of my new recipes (I've always been a good cook, but now I am creating my own and tweaking old recipes to make them lower in fat and calories and higher in fiber and other nutrients).