[TheTragicJoy]

Happy Monday everyone.

I'm Joy. I'm here to restart my weight loss journey. I've worked to lose weight in the past, and succeeded (I was a size 16 on my wedding day -- smallest of my adult life, -45# at that point!)




That was five years ago. Due to moving, marriage, stress of school I've gained some 80# back. Not to say I haven't had some ups and downs in between, but... this is where I am, and it's my reality.

My husband and I have two furbabies. They are our life outside of our education pursuits (and each other of course!)



My husband and I are as of this year, both graduate students. He's pursuing a teaching career, for now, via English (ultimately he wants to get a PhD in Philosophy but as we all know, the future can be rather uncertain).

I, myself am in my second year of a Master's of Architecture program. I also have a B.A. in architecture. I've gone straight through school... (and yes I got married young! ) Architecture school is notoriously high stress, little time, little sleep. It's taken a toll on my body, to say the least. We also both work ... adding to that!

I graduate in May. Then I get to find my first "big kid" job. Architecture is a predominately male profession, making it hard for a woman to find a job. Not to mention an over weight woman! I think my weight holds me back and has kept me from the level of success I think I can achieve. Most people are very health conscious in architecture; runners, cyclists, etc with primal/clean eating tendencies. I stick out.

This couples with me having PCOS. It makes it a bit more difficult for me to lose weight. I also don't think we will be able to have kids with out a lot of complications (considering we've had no active birth control for the past 2 years and nothing has happened, I'd call that a good indication I'm right).

In the next two-ish years, I will be working to start my career and my family. It is paramount I begin this weight loss journey. Now. I need to lose weight, and feel like this is my last chance...!

I look forward to this journey and the love and support I know I will find here.

<3 Joy

[fairandfree]

Hello Joy, welcome! I feel certain that you will find the support you need on this website. And it is absolutely wonderful that you have decided to start your weight loss journey now, especially since there is so much you still want to accomplish in life. Good luck in all you do!

Also your furbabies are adorable! <3

[Jacqui_D]

Hi Joy! Great goals! I wish there weren't job discrimination against gender or weight, but from what I've read and heard in the news, it does exist, so I understand how you are concerned about wanting to lose weight for your chosen profession. Good luck in your journey! Love your pics!