Thanks so much for all of you who thought to do this. I was trying to get my friends to do an online weight loss thing with me, on a private website, but after the summer last year, most of us flaked on it. So, here I am, looking for some new friends who are focused on the same things I am, have the same issues I do... folks I can count on to help with motivation, especially when the school year starts again. I am a teacher and it's really, really rough to stay healthy when the school year starts. I'm also a mom of three. I emotionally eat, I know it, but don't know what to do about it, really.

Anyway, I decided that this summer, I was going to recommit myself to getting fit and healthy for me & secondly my family. And in all honesty, I'm just way too vain to be carrying this extra flab around. I really want my clothes to fit and if I need to buy a new *smaller* wardrobe, I'd just love it!

I just started doing Bikram Yoga again, rejoined my local YMCA, am training to run a NIKE half-marathon (mostly just to get the necklace, I am a bit selfish that way), am watching my food intake (FitDay.com), and have started journaling on my private blog -- which I may open up to friends I meet here.

It seems I've always battled weight, even if it was just perceived. But I truly began trying for healthy - (meaning no pills/fads) - after my first pregnancy - 10 years ago!! This effort came about because I noticed some back flab in the mirror the week after giving birth. How the heck does THAT happen? ICK! It was back and forth with weight loss and weight gain since then.

I've been trying to get rid of, ideally, 45 pounds, but realistically, if I can get myself to a healthy BMI - that means about a 15-20 loss, that would be REALLY fab! I have some medical history that my doctor is concerned about, so she suggested the DASH diet. Anyone heard of it? I haven't read about it yet. I need to and will before July 4.

Any tips suggestions etc.... would be most helpful. I look forward to posting and meeting all of you!