Hello ladies (and any gentlemen that happen to be lurking as well). I just
came across this forum this evening and thought I'd drop in and say hello.

I am VERY new to the LC way of eating -- started on May 12, 2004 to be
exact but I have already lost 8 1/2 lbs. I'm drinking water like crazy and
am noticing a difference (aside from the increased urge to go to the little
girl's room). My shoes aren't tight anymore because my ankles aren't
swollen like they used to be.

And I'm waking up easier and with a bit more energy than I used to. Am
I ready to run a marathon yet? Noooooooo. At 370lbs, I'm hard pressed
to find an exercise that doesn't hurt to do. Even walking hurts. So any
suggestions in that department would be oh-so-welcome.

I've set a 2 year goal to reach my target weight range of 150 - 170. That
means I have to lose 8 - 9 lbs / month. Is that a realistic goal?

My short term goal is to be down to 350 by the end of July. If I fall short, I
am not going to cry and moan about it though. I'll just be proud of whatever
progress I *do* make and go from there.

Here's a bit about me that *doesn't* have to do w/ dieting:

I'm 31 years old, married and the mother of 2 kids -- one 3 yr old and one
9 yr old. I am a stay at home and work at home mom (I have a full time web
development business I've been working at since 1996).

I live in the Daytona Beach area and love all things celtic, Ren Fest and
D&D related.

That's me in a nutshell.

Look forward to getting to know y'all during this journey.

Cheers,

Cynthia

Hi Cynthia! I'll try to answer some of your questions.

Generally speaking, a person loses 10% of the weight they need to lose during Induction, then 5% per month afterward. The more you have to lose, the faster it comes off especially at first. When you get closer to goal, the weight loss slows down but this isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Weight loss can be enhanced by exercise, and of course you've already got the water thing figured. Unfortunately I don't really know any good exercises that don't hurt at least a little, LOL. One thing you might try is lifting 2- to 5-lb. dumbbells.

Here's hoping for the best for you! You're already doing terrifically.