Yes I would like to join the challange also I would like to lose about 30 lbs. I know it will be hard for me because I am a diabetic and also have heart trouble.  For all of the people who like sweets there are a web-site called Aimees Adventures that has some good recipes I have made the Carmel Apple Salad from that site it is good the only thing I do is I don't add my apples until I dip my serving because I do not like dark apples, also the poor man's turtles are also good and no trouble to make for those of you have children they may like these desserts.

You know what I find more amusing than anything else -- how many of us have similar stats.  I was weighed at the dr's when I was sick and came in at 205 on the dot and should be closer to 150.  I was 170 when I got married 2 years ago and I've done some major stress eating -- especially in the last year.  One thing I've done recently was to add salad to my dinner *every single night*.  I really haven't been getting enough veggies, so just adding some romaine lettuce and carrots and, occassionally tomatoes, is a good start.  I might grab a cucumber next time, too.  Not a super-food, but it's yummy!  I also need to re-add sweet potatoes to my portfolio of foods.  I used to eat them a couple times a week and lately it's just been once, maybe twice, a month.

 My short-term goal is just to get that "200" mark behind me!  There's something that's uber-depressing about that.  Even though 194 or so isn't really that much different, it seems a bunch better than 200+.  I hope to get below 200 in the next week or two and never see it again!

Another big motivation for me is that my employer (local government) has started an employee wellness program in order to trim health care costs.  Each June, we have to have a complete blood work-up and health assessment.  They notify us in writing what our top priority should be; mine is weight and exercise.  If by the next June, we haven't made some progress or aren't making an effort to improve, they have the right to make us start paying part of our insurance premiums. So I desperately need to drop at least 20 pounds within the next four months.

Cinnamon, I think you should be very proud of your accomplishment if you have any powdered sugar boxes in the 16 oz. size just stack them up and you will see how well you are doing it has only been a few days over 2 weeks so you should be very proud of yourself I know how you feel my dh is 6'2 and very slim.

 Wow, our stats are similar!  I started at 208 and want to get down to around 140.  When I get there, we'll see if I need to go further or not.  I haven't been that size since my senior year in high school!  

 Similar stats indeed!

So that means we all know what each other looks like LOL!!

 My lowest weight ever was 125 lbs and I'm 5'8. that was when I was a poor college student living in an apartment that took most of my minimum wage money....I actually budgeted $36 a month for groceries and that's what I had! I really never felt good when i was in the 120's, and i feel my ideal weight is closer to the 140 I was when i got married. However, I will be content to see 150 again. I don't have the same body at 40 something that I did at 20something!

I started my food journal again to count carbs.  I've found this is the best way for me to chart myself.  I had to do that for one month when I was pregnant to keep from having to take meds.  My mom is diabetic, so I know the carb counts I can have.  I have lost two pounds since Friday, so it is helping.  I am drinking more water too.  It's easier to do when I'm cooking at home.  I'm at 158 and my first goal is 151, where I was 6 weeks after giving birth.  Second goal is 137.5, where I was when I got pregnant.  Third goal is 125.  That would put me at a good weight and back in a Size 8.  I'd  be 105 lbs. if I was as I was back in high school!  That'll never happen~~

I definitely need to hop-aboard the losing weight train!

 I was very thin growing up and then yo-yo ed through many years of depressions, highs and lows ... and I DEFINITELY have the strech marks to prove it!

 In 2001 I gave up drinking and drugs (rehab -- long story, but I have been clean ever since), and in 2006 I quit smoking.  Cold turkey, never had one since October 21st of that year.

 Which leaves the weight loss.  It's especially hard as in life there is always going to be food:  when we celebrate, we eat, when we're sad, tired, bored, happy, etc. food food food.

I would like to offer a goal for all of us.  I am not sure as to what would be a good amount but perhaps by June 30th (or December 31st) we, collectively could lose a rargeted amount together and share in the success - I know I could lose a good 75 pounds myself ... so even 1000 pounds for 15-30 people would be realistic??

 You have all been immense help with many aspects of my life and I think we can conquer the "Battle of the Bulge", too!!

Started SparkPeople 2 weeks ago. Lost 6 lbs first week, have to weigh in 2morrow.  I put on 25 lbs in 3 yrs cooking for my morbidly obese cousin.  No, he didn't twist my arm, but I ate his leftovers to conserve precious money to get the IRS paid off from seven very lean years and four desperate ones. SparkPeople is great but calories are impossible to figure on all of my home-canned condiments and fruits.  

I eat little meat but have weight-intolerant asthma, and hypercholesteremia.  The current hypothesis is that I may be carb intolerant--it's now believed that excess carbs are metabolized into LDL's.   So I am eating bean curries (Thank you, Deb!) and very lean cals, on several meals and snacks a day.  Unfortunately, I'm a night eater and a night cheater. And tonight we have lasagna.  

I walk on WalMart's cheapest treadmill 1 hr a day while reading my e-mail.  I use a hospital table over the treadmill for a desk. I have a worn-out tenth-hand Bowflex which gave my arthritic hand fits until I purchased arm cuffs to go with it. When I can find a second-hand treadmill with automatic incline settings, I plan to purchase it and sell this one.

Reuters News reported yesterday that insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome respond better to wind sprints than to other forms of cardio, so I plan to begin those to prevent these precursors to diabetes.  I have ethnic ancestries which predispose me to diabetes and intend to avoid it as long as possible. 

I have made it to 120 before and I feel fine at that weight.  But I plateau at 135 and that plateau is h*** to break through.  This will be the first time I've had companionship in the battle of the bulge!