Hello everyone!
I am new to the site, too and just wanted to say hello and briefly introduce myself. My name is Jessica. I am 22 yrs old from Southeast Texas. I have been struggling to lose weight for half of my life. As far back as I can remember I have always been sort of "plump/fluffy". In fact, the last time I considered myself thin was around age 11. In Jr High I was kind of thick and saw myself as fat even then but looking back at pictures now I wasn't as big as I thought I was. Throughout high school I maintained at around 150-160lbs and then I met my now husband my senior year and have blown up to 203lbs in the last 5 years. Ugh!!! Just saying that makes me ill. I never thought I would reach the 200 mark on the scale. I am pretty proportionate in my weight though so most wouldn't look at me and think that I weigh this much. I know the truth though and I hate it.
I am trying to decide what approach I should take again as far as dieting goes. I have tried everything under the sun from diet pills (prescription and over-the-counter), weight loss doctors, WW, South Beach, liquid diets, soup diets, etc. and have only had success with one. I tried the South Beach in 2005 and lost almost 30lbs in just 2 months. I have read many of the success stories here and seen a lot of success with low carb, high protein diets so I figure I'll go for that again. I want to be healthy for myself and for my husband.
And let's face it I would really like to know what it's like to be smokin hott and feel great about myself!!!!!
So I am looking forward to having great support through all you great people out there.

Welcome Jessica!!!

We have an active South Beach forum and a 20 something forum. Smokin' hot is a great goal!!!

I'm glad you're here!

Thanks midwife! I'm looking forward to becoming a part of this community!

Welcome Jessica, I'm new here too. This is a great place to ask questions about anything you are curious about when it comes to achieving your goals. I am 26.

Feel free to message me if you have any questions, most of all, find some friends here to keep you being honest and accountable! It will help!

Hello Iansgirl! Thanks for the reply. I am totally excited about doing this. I can't wait to meet new people sharing my struggle to reach their ultimate goals. The support rocks. This site is great!

Hi Jessica! Welcome to the site

I was born in Corpus and have family all over the place down there. I miss it!

As far as what approach you should take, there are plenty of resources on this site to help you figure it all out, so take a look around!

Welcome Fluffygirl, As far as what plan you should follow I really think no one plan works without adjusting it to your own' I've followed ww for 2 years now and have really made it my own with small things here & there. But im sure you knew that LoL So welcome! Hope to get to know you better!

Hello Jen and Dawn!
Thanks for the welcome! I am pretty sure low carb will work for me. I posted a question in that sticky but no one replied yet. It's about ketosis. If any of you are familiar with low carb diets please take a look and give me your opinion. Dawn your picture reminds me of someone I know around here, but I can't think of who. You look familiar. Hmmm...anyhoo on your weight loss so far. I tried WW too, both ways, but I hated counting points and I felt that the Core program was good but I just didn't follow it that well. Like you said everyone is different.
I hope to get to know you better, too!

Thanks so much everyone for the welcome party. I can't wait to get my ticker! I'm counting down the days! I've lost 2 more pounds and I can't wait to see my cute ticker showing my progress!

Fluffy...love it! Welcome! I'm new too! Love this forum thing and kinda is my new addiction! None of those worked for me when i did them. I didnt want to live my life counting things like that..or "oh no im close to 16 points and dont know what to do". Im jus not that kinda gal! Diet, exercise, and maintenance are hard work..and are a huge lifestyle change. Best way is natural...and WEIGHTS! Hee....add me up too...im here for ya!

hi welcome im new too why does it always seem after we get married the weight comes along with it lol. I was 20lbs lighter at my wedding were did it all come from?!?!?! Lol Lots of luck cant wait to hear about your sucess

Hi Callie and Badlilkit!
Lol...yeah I like fluffy too! Perfect for my figure...hehe Yeah I agree Callie, counting up calories/points for the rest of my life isn't for me. I want a happy lifestyle change that will help me stay fit naturally. I think Somersizing may be the answer to my prayers. I read the first book years ago and I just recently purchased Eat, Cheat, and Melt the Fat Away. I think this will be easier for me than the South Beach or Atkins. We shall see.

I know what you mean about married weight, lilkit. It seems like the pounds flood on when you're happy in your heart huh? Oh well we just have to be happy in our hearts without all the bad food! hehe

Anyway! good luck to both of you guys I'm looking forward to seeing your success too! I love this little guy > it cracks me up!

Jess...i hope its ok i added you to my buddy list! (um oficially 2 now). You seem like a great person! Oh man...weight gain after marriage? grr...im getting married next year and not looking forward to that! hopefully by then the tides will turn, food will automatically be good for you no matter the choice, and weight loss and being skinny(er) arent a huge money making scheme and are out (or lessened) in the media! Oh what a wonderful fantasy world that will be!!!

Hey Callie!
No I sure don't mind! I will add you to mine too and that will make you my #2, too! haha what a coinky-dink! I know what you're saying. The world would def be a a better place if all the fast food and processed mess just went belly up. I have always said since I was little, I should have been raised on a farm or something back in the old days. They had fresh foods from their own land, fresh meat and milk ,and plenty of exercise from the crack of dawn til dinner! lol...I wouldn't make it a day! hahaha
Oh and for the compliment! You seem pretty cool yourself!
anyhoo, guess I'll talk at ya later.