I've always been thin.  Was never crazy about my build since I'm flat chested and had a bit of a big butt.  But overall I was pretty OK with my body.

It seems like each decade I'd somehow put on 10 pounds.  I watched the scale move up from the 130's to the 140's to the 150's, and I never really did much about it.  Yeah, a few times I'd go on a diet and drop 5 pounds, even tried Atkins, but once I went back to eating "normally" the weight would eventually creep back.  I even did a starvation diet of under 1000 calories per day in my 20's, along with the gym 5 days a week, and managed to get down to about 127.  My waist was miniscule, but I couldn't maintain that.

I joined a gym about 3 years ago, and while that did seem to tone me up a bit, it really didn't do anything about my weight.  My clothes were getting tighter, and I had more & more things I couldn't wear.  I actually gave up on some of my best Ann Taylor suits and sold them at a high-end consignment store, figuring I'd never get back into them.

I moved to Florida and in with my SO in March of 2007.  I was cooking dinner for us every night, and the scale started slowing creeping up a little more.  Dave started noticing, and even dropped little hints.  Then one morning in September I got on the scale and saw 162.  I'd always sworn I would never be over 160, and here I was.  Facing my 50th birthday next year, I felt fat.  I looked flabby despite exercise.  My stomach was all pouchy like I was 4 months pregnant. I didn't feel good about myself, and was having trouble finding clothes that fit right.  I finally said enough is enough.

I'm busy, and lazy.  I knew I could never deal with all the counting and doing it myself of Weight Watchers.  I considered Jenny Craig, but was totally against the idea of having to weigh in with some 20-something "counselor", and have her push vitamins or JC supplements on me.  I'd seen the NutriSystem commercials, and when they showed the Dan Marino one with all the athletes I decided "screw it - if they can do it, I can too."  So I picked up the phone and called.

My first shipment arrived while I was out of town on business, so I started NS on my return (after of course eating everything in SIGHT on the trip).  Saturday, 9/22 was my first day.  The first few days were tough:  I missed my "regular" food, was tempted by everything, and was still hungry.  At the end of that first week I think I'd lost 1, maybe 2, pounds.  But by then I'd discovered the Boards.  I was blown away by the amount of information & support there. So many inspirational stories of people with HUGE weight losses, like Pam and Donna and Robin and I8NY.  Heck, if they could do it I had no business complaining about a lousy 22-24 pounds! I knew I had no excuse, and that if I didn't succeed it was no one's fault but my own.

I found recipe ideas, protein suggestions, meal ideas, shopping info, free foods lists.  So I kept pushing.  It's now 6 weeks later, and I'm down 14 pounds.  14 pounds!  I haven't been this thin in probably 5 years!  I've started fitting back into some of my old jeans again.  I need to find more time to exercise to help tone up my arms and continue reducing my belly, but I'm looking MUCH better than in a long time.  Dave has certainly noticed, and compliments me on it regularly.  He's really proud of me, and proud of the resolve and determination I've shown.

I'm only 10 pounds from my goal.  And I believe I really will get there!  I'm refusing to quit until I see the numbers 1, 3 and 8 pop up side by side on my scale.

I was feeling guilty about "only" needing to lose a little over 20 pounds, but I realize that whatever the actual amount, it was still holding me back.  I'm learning how to eat healthier, I'm learning portion control, and I know I can maintain once I hit my goal.  I'm also going to always have a week's worth of NS food in the house, so if I see myself creeping over that 140 mark, I'll jump into a week of NS to get it back under control.

I'm grateful to NS (despite my frustration with all the subs) for giving me this "training program".  And most of all I'm grateful to all the wonderful folks on the NS boards for their constant support & inspiration.