Welcome back, Christina, good to see you again! I think I might be able to help you on determining how many calories you need to eat. I will look up where I think that information is and get back to you.
Shannon, welcome! Of course, you can post any time! We would love to have you join us. There used to be considerably more people posting regularly to this thread last fall but, once the holidays hit, they all disappeared and have not reappeared.
But we can build a new group!
It doesn't take a large group to support one another...and in fact sometimes it's easier to keep up with the discussion when it's a smaller group. So everyone, feel free to chime in!
About me...I'm 52 years old and single, living in the Washington DC suburbs. I've been eating healthy and exercising regularly since July 1, 2003. I do not follow or belong to any formal plan or program; I eat lowfat and low calorie and high fiber, whole grains vs. white, fresh veggies & fruits every day, and drink lots of water. I exercise 5 days a week; 3 days of cardio (45 minutes or more each) and 2-3 days of toning or weights (30 minutes or more each).
As of July 1, 2004, I had lost 35 pounds. Since then, I've pretty much been gaining and losing the same 3 pounds!
I have reduced my cholesterol dramatically and am still plugging away, despite 2004 being much more about maintaining my weight loss than accomplishing NEW weight loss. I'm recommitting myself to getting my weight loss jumpstarted again in 2005 so that I can be back on the way to reaching my goal weight.
I think why I spent so much of 2004 not losing weight breaks down into a couple of reasons: 1) my age (the ol' metabolism is NOT our friend when we get over 40, kids); 2) meds I take; 3) my love of sweets (I am quite disciplined, actually, but when I fall off the wagon, it is almost always with sweets); and 4) I don't eat enough calories some days (I tend to cut back TOO much).
Sorry this is so long!