I joined 3FC many moons ago, and have posted on and off over the years. For some reason, I just haven't been able to commit to posting daily or even weekly and I always fall off the 3FC boat and shortly afterwards fall off the dieting boat. On my first try, I did lose about 40 pounds with diet and excercise, but I gained it back with a vengeance and then some. So I'm starting over *again* but this time I swear I'm going to get it right!
Ok, so I hit 300 pounds over the winter, and I know this vicious cycle needs to stop and I need to lose the weight for good. I did drop 5 pounds, though, but not from diet and excercise. My grandfather went into hospice in Janaury after having a series of massive strokes, and I stayed at his side every moment that I wasn't at work, in class, or asleep. Well, I actually didn't sleep that much during those two weeks, and I didn't eat much, either. I don't know if it was the decrease in eating, the stress, or the unbelieveable sorrow that made me lose those 5 pounds, but I did. As a result, all of the new jeans I got for Christmas didn't fit properly anymore, and I think I lost about 2 inches from my hips.
So here I am at 295. I increased my fiber to 30+ grams per day (usually closer to 40) and counting calories, but not religiously. I definitely see a difference in my appearance, but the scale hasn't moved much. I think I need to pay more attention to my calories and I definitely need to work out.
I've been doing exercise videos (hurray for Richard Simmons

) and going on long walks and short hikes. I think I would like to try to hike for fitness, because I love the outdoors and there are lots of trails I would like to try out that are the perfect length for day hikes. I also bought a canoe and would like to get into that more and develop good upper body strength.
So here's to my latest and hopefully final weight loss journey.