Hello from Ca!
 

Well I found this place last nite and joined today. I am 31, married with kids. I hit an all time high last year in June of around 280. (I had gained 30 pounds rapidly in a year going thru a divorce and two parents dying on me 4 months apart.)After watching my mom die the previous December(2004) at a young age of 52 from serious health complications(cirrhosis of the liver, hepatitis, diabetes, kidney failure, etc) and my dad die that April (2005), a diabetic and pass on from a heart attack during a surgery to amputate a foot. I woke up! I realized a big part of their health problems were from living an unhealthy gluttonous lifestyle. I told myself I had to change things, NOW!
I have been researching extensively online and finding out just how bad being overweight is. No more for me! It is not just a cosmetuc issue. It is a matter of life and death! Anyhow I started walking and changing some eating habits. I got down to 250 by last x~mas. Jan ~ April I wound up dealing with the death of yet someone else very close to me and my walking was seriously put on hold. I lost some muscle, but maintained at 250. The end of April I kicked myself in the butt and got back up again, working toward my goal. I gained my muscle back again and some muscle weight.
Anyhow I am currently 230 and moving toward getting down to 150. I know I could of lost alot more than what I have in the amount of time (it has been a little over a year, end of June, 2005)but I am doing this my way. I eat out once a week. I have red meat twice a week. I have potatos once a week. Until this last month I am excellent on doing exercise(50 - 100 minutes a day, except for my 4 month respite at the beginning of the year) but I was still struggling with food portions. I have now limited myself to 1500-1600 on most days and that really seems to be helping.
My long term goal is 150 by May 28, 2007, my short term goal is 200 by X~MAs. I know I can do it! I look forward to meeting you all!!

Welcome Jasmine where about's in CA are you im in northern cali fairfield ca

Hi. Nice to meet ya! Southern Ca, Victorville Area.

Holy crap, Michelle, are you SERIOUS? You're from Ffld? No freaking way! I'm originally from there - graduated FHS in 2003. Never thought I'd meet someone else from lil ole Squarefield here. :)

Hey Jasmine! I grew up in Redlands. I guess it's not super close, but as I've lived all over the place since then it seems like you're from right next door.

And welcome to the group! I haven't been on long, but everyone seems super sweet and supportive.

Hello and welcome from "up north."

Thanx for the welcome girls! Hi Misti!

Hi fitaitch! It is only about an hour from here. We used to live in San Bernardino So I am pretty familiar with the area! I LOVE the smell of the orange groves over there. Very nice city!

Welcome from yet another Californian :)

Thanx Tisha and fiddler! Where abouts are ya Fiddler? Tisha we are about the same! We can do it!!