[ErinJH]

Hi All --

Newbie here who needs to lose weight! I've been up and down the scale so much in the last few years it's just hard to believe. I'm currently UP at my highest ever -- couldn't believe it when I got on the scale.

Background -- I was a dancer for 15 years. I had classes for a couple of hours every day 6 days a week (once I hit about 10), plus rehearsals for shows. That meant I could eat what I wanted without thinking about it, because it all melted off. Fast forward to when I quit dance in my late teens. I kept eating the same stuff -- our favorite lunch place in high school was a chinese food place that also made donuts . Good stuff! Started to gain weight which was something I'd never before considered. Joined a gym though and was able to stay in good shape for the most part.

Hit my mid-20s and after gaining a bunch of weight during my year of volunteer work in NYC, ended up losing 25 lbs or so on the Carb Addicts diet. Slowly gained that back .... joined WW this past summer and had great success, only fell off the wagon and the weight came on FAST.

I stopped paying attention to my food intake once my partner and I welcomed our daughter in August of this year. I also switched jobs, therefore no more WW meeting with my beloved leader, since my new job is nowhere near that meeting. I have ALWAYS worked out and yet have not exercised now for about 4 months. Stupid 'excuse' but can't find the time to get to the gym. I drop the baby off in the mornings so that option (which is my favorite) is out, I don't have the flexibility in this position that I did with my last so those nice lunchtime workouts are gone and after work I just want to head home to my daughter. The combo of the extra food and the lack of exercise has led to awful weight gain.

I've had success on both WW and Carb Addicts...but need to decide which direction in which to go. I also need to get back to exercising. I think the biggest thing for me is how much my knees hurt right now --- I've never had that be an issue for me, but my joints hurt!!! Unacceptable as a 28 year old woman. According to those BMI charts I should weigh 160 (I'm 5'9), which means I need to lose about 60lbs. I've gotten down into the 170s before...and been very happy with how I felt and looked at that point, since when I workout I do lift weights and have a good amount of muscle. I saw a picture of myself recently from a friend's wedding in 2001, I definitely looked and felt great then...I'd like to get back there.

I bought some new Tae Bo videos and am planning to get up early and do those before work, alternating with a yoga dvd and a pilates dvd. On the not too hideously cold days at work I'll get out for a walk at lunch. My partner and I have talked about joining Curves in the near future, since we're both so pressed for time. We have bad commutes that just eat up the day.

Anyway, I'm sorry this is such a novel of an introduction, but I wanted to get it all out!! Looking forward to the support I know I will receive here!

Best,
Erin