[vestadunning]

I'm a professional journalist in my early 20s seeking to lose about 100 lbs. I'm currently six feet tall and weigh about 280. My weight has been in a "holding pattern" for roughly 3 years (with fluctuations of 10-20 lbs, which isn't all that much on someone as fat as me!)

I don't, however, do the whole "stepping on a scale daily" routine, and I won't. I've found it to be a complete hindrance to real weight loss, since it's too easy to guilt-trip oneself for a couple of pounds here and there.

The way I'd really like to measure it is the way girls really all do -- with clothing sizes. I'm a 24 (tall, always tall!) now. I am so sick of shopping at "plus-size" stores, I can't even tell you.

To make things more interesting, I've recently started on synthroid for my thyroid (may switch to Armour if it doesn't work well), and will be stopping Depo-Provera in the next couple of months in favor of the Paragard IUD (no more horrible hormone side effects -- the last time I gained a lot of weight was 50 lb when I went on the depo at first).

My other big problem for weight loss is that I have exercise-induced migraines, and have had them since I was 7. Doctors told me I'd outgrow them, if only I exercised enough, so for over half a year I lived with a constant migraine headache -- and they didn't go away or even get a little less severe. I recently discovered that my mother -- who also suffers from migraines -- is getting lesions on her brain from them (they initially mistook it for MS, thankfully it's not)!

I'm going to be going on a pill called Topamax for my exercise-induced migraines shortly.

What all of this means is that very suddenly, I could be losing a lot of weight, or I could be really really frustrated that even with the problems cleared up it isn't happening.

I'd like to find a buddy who understands that my life is going to be going very topsy-turvy over the next few months, and maybe to find someone else whose life has been changed by a health revelation or three!

Whew. Okay, that was a long post. Anyone interested?

[vestadunning]

Oh, and I'm good for a few things -- for one, I know how to make really yummy, fulfilling food that isn't horrifically unhealthy. I already don't really do sweets and junk food (though since my boyfriend doesn't cook, we find ourselves eating fast food about once a week -- ick!). But I'm good at coming up with recipes and would be happy to share 'em.

[mmmLatte]

I'd love to chat with you. I am also in my early 20s, about to be a senior in college, and although I don't have any medical problems hindering my weight loss I do have the stress/pressures of friends who don't support my weight loss and boyfriend who always asks why I have to worry so much about how I look. I am pretty much scared of the scale because it annoys me when I am being so good and still gain weight, I swear I gain weight just by looking at greasy food. However, I am not that good of a cook... I usually stick with frozen meals.