Hi ya'll,

I've been browsing the site and posting here and there for a couple of weeks, so I thought I'd finally stop to introduce myself.

I just turned 30 in July. I was always skinny growing up, weighing around 95 lbs (at 5 ft tall) until after I got married at age 23 in 2002. The now-ex and I ate out alot, and also ate together at the same time for the sake of family mealtimes - so alot of times I was eating when I wasn't even really hungry. I didn't pay alot of attention to the weight gain at first, mainly because I was getting compliments, people thought I was too thin before.

Fast forward to 2007...we had split up and I went to the doctor for a routine appt, first time on a scale in a looong time as I didn't own one - 146 lbs. I know that may not sound like alot, but on a 5 ft tall, and smallboned frame, it can be. I went on a diet for 2 weeks, got down to 133, and stopped there. It was enough for me at the time, and I also made the mistake of doing a really restrictive diet I couldn't stick with, and didn't have the motivation to really change my eating habits long-term. I bounced around between 130 and 135 after that.

Fast forward again to now...I'm "lucky" in a sense, I was laid off from my job recently, so I'm taking advantage of the free time while I look for another job to focus on getting back to a happy weight. I was also diagnosed with bipolar disorder last year, following a succession of stressful events (bad breakup of a 6 month relationship, roommate leaving w/ no notice, working 12 hour days at work)...and spent the past year recovering from/dealing with the aftermath of that, including 3 hospitalizations and a suicide attempt. So the layoff was really a blessing in disguise as it's given me much needed time to relax and recoop.

So, last month I started at 131, and am so far down to 126 or 127, depending on the scale's mood at the time, lol. I'm going for the slowly but surely method this time...just counting calories and figuring out how to eat the foods I like in ways that are lower cal and lower fat. For now I'm aiming for 115, but we'll see how that feels/looks once I get there.

Well, that's me... Just wanted to say hello and I'm looking forward to getting to know you all.

Hello!
Congratulations on your positive attitude and success in the face of some very difficult times. I'm glad you decided not to lurk. There are a lot of caring people here.

Welcome and good luck !

Hi untamed!
Congrats on your success so far - I'm sure you'll achieve your goal before you know it and we'll all be here to cheer you on!

Glad to have you join us! There are lots & lots of different groups and forums - I'm sure you'll find some that will keep you motivated, inspired and entertained! There's also info and first hand advice on different plans to help get you through the ups and downs.

There are bunches of people here with more to lose and some with less - the bottom line is that we all have to do it a day at a time. The good thing is that we'll have lots of company along the way.

I've only been here a few months myself, having NEVER been part of an online forum. What has been so eye-opening is how much it has helped me. Whenever I feel overwhelmed or defeated, I just log on and read some of the success stories, complete with their before & after photos - or read about others still dealing day to day with their challenges - and before I know it, the time has flown by and so have all the thoughts of cheating or giving up.

So welcome - you 've found the right place - join in by inspiring us and being inspired!

Thank you all for the welcomes!

Hi and welcome to 3FC. Good luck with your goals.

Hugs
Michelle