[dustdiva]

Thought I'd introduce myself and give a big "thank-you" for all the tips & advice I've stumbled across while lurking & browsing on here over the past several weeks. I started (again) working on losing weight 2 weeks ago -- but it feels a lot longer!

I'm at an interesting place in my life, 45 (46 next month) and a single/divorced mom back in college full-time. I'll have my BA in English (of all things!) in May, but have decided to put plans for grad school on hold while I try the job market again, and start saving for my daughter's college education (she's a high-school freshman). I have had weight "issues" almost all my life, and my mother and her 4 siblings all have weight and lifestyle-related health problems. My father passed away 3 years ago from complications of diabetes, heart-disease, and alcoholism. That's an inheritance I'd gladly do without!

Glad to have found this site - it seems much friendlier than some other weight loss sites I've regularly visited in the past, and I really like the sense that we're all accepted & treated as individuals. It's not a "one-plan-fits-all" approach, which is how I'm tackling my problem this time around. I've been losing & gaining the same 20-25#s for the past 7 years and frustrated! Right now I'm borrowing ideas from the Sonoma & Mediterranean plans because those are the types of food I'm craving this winter. I tried Atkins and South Beach but found myself obsessing about food constantly on those plans, so now I'm improvising while concentrating on eliminating sugar & junk food (I allow myself 2 Hershey's kisses a day, but was amazed to find that I "forgot" to treat myself twice this week!).

So much for my short intro -- I'm looking forward to being a part of this group & have jumped on the "100 pound club" March points challenge to get myself motivated.

Wishing everyone success!

Denise