Hello all! I'm new here (kinda) I joined back in December 2005. 2 years later I am back! This time I am ready for a serious change! My name is Dawn. I am 24 years old, the loving momma of 2 boys ages 9 and 4. I am happily married of 6 years. I live in Kentucky.

I am a stay at home momma. I have always been over-weight. But this past year I have climbed from over weight to obese. I am 5 foot 6 and a half, I weigh around 227 pounds! My goal weight is to be 170 pounds!! 170 may seem like alot, and most webpages say that for my age and height it is over-weight, but I actually look very good at 170, not big at all and curvy.

I started my diet 2 days ago. I am trying to aim for 1200 calories everyday. Yesterday I was 1100 something. I hope 1200 isn't too low to start out with? I was thinking that in the future if I lose weight and then stop because the 1200 isn't working anymore, I may have to drop it to 1100 or 1000. I don't want to start to low also because in 1998 I went on a crash diet. I was only eating ICE and would chew up pickles and spit them out!! I was put in the intensive care unit for 3 days with a heart rate of only 20 beats per minute. I am much older and mature now and woud NEVER do that again! I still can't believe I did that to myself just to be thin.

I am ready now to get HEALTHY #1 and thinner! I look forward to meeting you all!

Dawn~

Hello Dawn - Welcome Back

My initial thought is that 1200 calories is too low. I would recommend somewhere between 1400 and 1500. Please keep in mind that the quality of your food is extremely important - to start focus on fruits, vegetables and fiber.

Best Wishes - Lori

HI DAWN

170 is a great goal if it's where you feel best. That's what matters most. I'm also a re-joiner and hope to make some pals here. Let's get healthy!!!

Thank you all so much for the warm welcome!