Hello! I would love to jump in on your threads, but I thought I would introduce myself first:

First name: Deanna
Geographical location: Colorado Springs, CO
Age: 29 on February 22nd
Marital Status: Married, as of October 13th, 2012
Children/Ages: None
Occupation: Career Services Advisor
Pets: A 5 year old black kitty named Eshezo, a 2 year old kitty named Rose and an Australian Shepard we rescued named Bo. He's about 3.
Hobbies/Interests: I'm very interested in health, the real food movement, the Weston Price Foundation and urban homesteading. I'm fascinated with birth and think that someday I might want to become a doula.
Height: 5'6"
Eye/Hair Color: Hazel/Dark Blonde

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: January 1st, 2013
Starting Weight: 242
Present Weight: 227
Goal Weight: I'm not sure- it depends on my body. I was hoping 135-140, but we'll see.
Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: I adore candy!
Following any specific plan: Metabolic Research Center. It's low carb.
What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: Funny, DH asked me the same thing last month. What's different? I'm fiercely motivated to get as healthy as possible before trying to start a family next year. I want my future children to have the best start possible.

I hope to get to know you all more soon! I love internet forums! I met my husband online and one of my dearest friends on a message board. I believe they are powerful tools to build yourself a community!

Hi Deanna, nice to meet you! Everyone here is very supportive and just super awesome and positive!

Hello!!! It is so nice to meet you!! Please do jump in any challenges or threads that motivate and/or interest you. Hope to see you around sometime.

Thanks, bea! I think everyone needs a little support when undertaking a transformation like this!

amandie, Thanks! The challenges look so neat! Riestrella looks like she puts SOOOO much work into the Bikini Ready Challenge! That is so thoughtful, kind and motivating!!

welcome! and good luck!

Welcome! I met my husband online as well, and I went down to 146 lbs in 2010 in anticipation of wanting to be healthy if I ever got pregnant. By the time I actually got pregnant I was 164 lbs though and gained another 60 and now I'm working my way back down

You are doing great so far!

Great to meet you!

Awesome! So you are at pre-pregnancy weight now? That's fantastic! And on the way down! Hooray!

It's great to know more about you and meet you! You and your DH are adorable btw, too cute! We have similar goals for wanting to stay motivated and keep going, I want to be as healthy as possible for when my husband and I start our family in a couple of years. I'm glad you are here and you have been kicking butt since the first of the year! Keep it up!

Thanks, Pink!
That picture is from the day that DH told me that he loved me for the first time.

And in that picture I can kind of see how I let myself get to over 200 pounds...I don't think I look half bad in that picture, but I'm SUCH a pear. Let me find a "before" picture that sheds a little more light on the picture.

Do these photos work?

I'm a half lb from pre pregnancy weight! This time I'm going all the way. I stopped at 146 last time. I want to hit my goal this time but I also want to build muscle.

Are you thinking of having any more children?

Yes, I would like to start trying for another near the end of summer. I'm hoping to get to my goal weight and maintain for a bit before though. Last time I didn't focus on maintenance and most of the bad habits came back.

My daughter was born Dec 30th 2011 and I really want another now but I think it would be better to wait until then.

I also met my hubby online, married in 2012 (July) and he lives in Colorado Springs as well! I'm in North Carolina but I will be moving out there to be with him this summer.

Welcome to 3FC!

Awesome! I love Colorado Springs! Is he in the military?