Hey everyone! I'm Jess. At 23-years-old, I've been struggling with weight all my life.

In June 2006, I weighed 263 pounds, then went to a weight loss camp for 2 months and lost 50 pounds. After I returned home, I kept up with a healthy routine and lost another 30, getting to 171. But then college stress hit and boom, the weight shot up. So then I was 210 by the summer of 2007.

I was hired by the weight loss camp to be a camp counselor for that summer, and got down to about 180 by the end of summer. But back at school again, the weight shot up.

January 2008, 6 months before my graduation, I weighed around 205 pounds and so again, I went on a massive exercise healthy eating phase and got down to 178 by graduation.

And then I went to China for a few months, and all that good, cheap food and no gym in sight led to me being 215 when I returned home for Christmas in December.

From January to August 2009, I was backpacking Southeast Asia, and my budget, along with the heat and excessive walking led me to lose 35 pounds while traveling which was great! I thought I'd keep it off for sure this time. But then I started law school and moved out to DC.

Law school was stressful, I couldn't balance the alcohol with the working out with the school, and DC is really cold so I would just rush home after class instead of going for a walk. So, in the past 5 months that I've been home, I'm once again at 213.

I'm currently back in San Diego since I deferred law school for a year (have to decide if I really want to do it) and I'm determined to shed the pounds and keep it off. This time, I'm blogging the progress. I figure if I blog every day, there's some accountability and I can monitor my progress better.

This weight fluctuation sucks. I know it's really bad for me and it really hurts my self-esteem. I know I can do it but it's just all that hard work all over again.

I've been browsing a lot of people's 3FC blogs and it's good to know that I'm not the only one that finds it hard to lose weight.

I hope to meet lots of people on here to share tips, recipes (yes please!) and motivation. Knowing that I'm not alone has been one of the greatest inspirations ever.

hey welcome to 3fc and lets get that number back down again

Hey Jess! We're at about the same weight and have about the same goal and are the same height - the only diff is I'll be 25 next week

Wanna stay accountable to each other???? I need to stay accountable to someone, and if you're up for it, we can do it together!!!!

Pokey, let's do it! You can message me on gchat: jess7286 [at] gmail [dot] com or here works too Are you starting at this weight or have you been heavier before?

I definitely want to be under 200. I think I have a fear of 200. Whenever I cross that threshold, I go berserk on myself.

Nope, I was at 240 around Halloween, and am now down to 211, but have stalled big time - so here I am. I'm adding you my gchat right now!

Sounds to me like you are already pretty good and knowledgable about the losing part. That's a great head start.

I'd recommend you spend as much time as possible lurking in the Maintainers forum. Try to pick up as many behaviors, advice, etc as possible from those great folks that are keeping it off. Try to start thinking about those things now!

Yeah, I have been. 3FC is great because people's progress are such an inspiration. I'm going to add myself to that Maintainers forum and goal forum one of these days. Is it a goal to be in the goal forum? I think so.

Hi Jess!
Wow, sounds like you've been a busy girl with all the travel and school - so many of us here know all about the yoyoing but we're all here to change that for good - the support you need is here - 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 and inspired. Try the 20 somethings and the weight loss support forums, they're active and very helpful - also the Success stories are a definite must for motivation.

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 since last fall, 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 going off track or giving up. It has made all the difference in my success so far.

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

All the best - good luck with your goals,
Lee