Hi all!! I too am a neebie...I have struggled with an extra 20 pounds or so most of my life but after a bitter divorce I let myself go and gave up on life. I did'nt care about anything especially my appearance--I went to the doctor and stepped on the scale and the nurse had to move the weight over the 200 mark!! I almost cried..I knew I had put on "some" weight but never up to 208! I have decided that this is MY year! I have not had a date since my divorce 10 years ago (ya..no sex) so like FindingFawn--I am determined to Rediscover Me (the old happy me). I am not on any particular diet/plan, I am doing the low-cal/fat and smaller portions thing. It is working so far, this morning the scale read 184 woohoo. On Sundays I spend most of the day cooking (which I Love) and meal/lunch planning for the week. I am looking for suggestions for meals to take to lunch, the salads are getting very old. Also any tips on shopping items that are a must have when dieting would be great. I found Skinny cow cheese and flatbread crackers are great! Anyway thanks for this great site and wish me luck on Rediscovering Me.