Hello! My name is Kate, I'm a 20-year-old college student feeling slightly alone in the whole weight loss journey. I have struggled with my weight for as long as I can remember but gained a significant amount of weight in my middle school/early high school years due to severe and persistent health problems, emotional eating and a sedentary lifestyle.

I have finally decided that my weight is making me unhappy and I'm ready to make a permanent change in my eating habits and in my lifestyle. I want to be a doctor and it is very important to me that if I am going be in charge of the health of my patients, that I am also in control of my own health, in particular my weight. (If that makes any sense!?)

I have been doing the low-carb, high-protein Dukan Diet since July and have lost 20lbs. Now that I am back at school and have access to a gym I have been exercising (lifting and cardio) 5-7 days a week, but I'm looking to improve my workout regime.

I'm very much looking forward to being below 200lbs, something I haven't been since I was a freshman in high school, but my ultimate goal is to be 130ish.

If you have stuck with me this far, thanks! I would like finish up by saying that I joined this site looking for support; it seems to me that my peers and friends don't struggle with their weight in the same way that I do and can't relate. I'm so glad to have found this group of wonderful people who, I hope, can help and support me on my journey to a healthier me!

Hi Kate! and on losing 20 lbs already! Glad you joined us! This is a wonderful site for support. I wish you the best with your weight, your education, and your future career! Good luck!

Hi Kate! Welcome! I'm new to this this forum as well!

I can definitely relate to some of your obstacles and pursuits. I am in college, albeit a non-traditional student at age 29. Pre-med as well! At any rate, I can understand the disconnect with weight issues with some of my younger peers as well as a desire to lead a healthy life as an example to future patients. That said, it is courageous to pursue a new lifestyle at your age, in spite of the lack of understanding from some of your friends/other students.

Congrats on 20lbs lost! It seems you're doing all of the right things. I am also doing a low carb, high protein food plan with cardio and CrossFit mixed in. Weight loss or not, it feels good to eat clean and move! Good luck to you, hopefully we can be of support to each other!

Thank you both! It's so good to know that there is a community out there!