Hi everyone! I'm Mande.
I just finally got access to the message boards (had some tech. problems at first) and wanted to introduce myself and hopefully make some aquaintences.
I officially started Jenny Craig on March 18th (but I'd been doing an at-home version of the Jenny plan [sort of] since February.} I've been on the plan a couple of times before during the last 5 years, but I've never stayed on it for more than a couple of weeks. I've tried various diets on my own in the past, with varying success -- not going to post my whole life story here, just saying that this isn't an entirely brand new thing for me. I'm really enjoying the diet (er, lifestyle change, as my counselor says) and how much better I feel eating a balanced diet rather than all the junk I'd been consuming the last six months or so.
To tell you just a little about myself: I'm an (almost) 26-yr old woman, currently living in Las Vegas. I attend UNLV as an English major, hoping to get into the creative writing MFA program in a little over a year (after getting my BA). I've been married for just over two years to a really great guy; he also attends the university here in LV and is looking to get into the law school. We live with his folks, and his mother is currently a student at Boyd Law here, so he has a good support system if he does get in. We have no children yet -- we want to wait until after school when we have a steady income, a settled home life, (hopefully up in Reno or Carson City) good insurance, and me in good health (which is one of the reasons why I'm on the JC program.)
That's about as basic as it gets. I'm very happy for the opportunity to be part of this support community and to see all the struggles and success stories of so many people just like myself. Can't wait to get to know some of you.
Thanks for letting me ramble on.
~Mande

Welcome, Mande! I just started yesterday, but am not new to the losing weight thing. Mine is baby weight that has to come off. I did it with the other 2 kids and this time it is a lot harder. We can do this!

Thanks for the welcome, bkm.
I only wish my weight was from something as wonderful as having babies. I started getting heavy when I hit adolescence, settled into a 180 lb body for about ten years, then started getting even HEAVIER when I hit my twenties. I've never been healthy in my adult body, and I really want to enjoy being young while I still AM!
About two years ago I was able to take off about 40 lbs -- when I was at my heaviest of 220 -- and got back down to what has always been my "normal" 180 lbs. That was a HUGE boost for me, though, to know I CAN take off the weight if just try. I was getting fairly healthy until the beginning of last summer, then my eating habits turned atrocious, I stopped exercizing, and nearly 30 of those 40 lbs I had dropped slowly crept back on. When I found myself above 200 lbs for the SECOND time in my life -- after I had promised myself I'd never be that heavy again -- I didn't get upset, I got motivated.
And you are so right, we can all do this. It takes effort and time, but it is so totally do-able.

Hi Mande!!!
I too have been dieting for years. When I was younger,my weight was always 110 pounds, and then I begain having children. After 4 children I can't get the weight off!! I am currntly 210 pounds, but at my heaviest, I was 240. I keep telling myself, I know I can do this, and I know with buddies like you I can.

Start Date: 4/01/06
SW:214
CW:210
GW:135