Count me in!

Hey everyone! Thanks so much Jen for including me in this idea! You helped me lose weight before, and I'm counting on you to do it again! :)

An introduction...My name is Kristin Stults, and I knew Jen in Ecuador, where my husband and I were missionaries with HCJB also. We moved to North Carolina almost a year ago, and we have 2 sons, Calvin, 2 and 1/2 and William, 9 months.

A few years ago I started doing Weight Watchers and doing cardio about 5-6 days a week. As Jen can attest, I was pretty fanatical about it, and I lost about 15 pounds. However, since then I've had 2 babies, and I've pretty much stopped looking in the full-length mirror. A few months ago I joined the Y, and I've tried to go a few times a week, but I haven't tried to cut calories too much (I use the excuse that I'm breastfeeding, but that only takes you so far...). Now I am faced with the terrifying prospect of shopping for summer clothes. Feeling fat in bulky sweaters and jeans is one thing, but there's no way to hide the post-baby body in summer tank tops and shorts (not to mention the dreaded bathing suit).

So, right now I weigh about 153 I think, and I'd like to make my goal 130, with the hope of staying under 135 for the long run. So that's 23 pounds. I can't lose it too fast because of the breastfeeding, so at 1/2 lb. a week, I should be 130 by January 19, 2009. Since that's kind of a long-term goal, I'd like to aim for 145 by May 19 and 140 by June 23. Exercise-wise, I'm up to running 3 miles at a time, and I'd like to keep that up, and increase my speed, and then add more miles. I'd like to be up to running 6.5 mph by the end of March, and then be able to run 5 miles at that speed by the end of April. And I'd like to try to do ab exercises 4 times per week. I'd like to do weights twice a week. I'd really like to be able to cut calories without using a specific plan, since I feel like if you're on a plan, it isn't just a lifestyle, but since I'm not doing too well at making healthy eating just a lifestyle, I'd better stick with what works, that is, weight watchers. I eat fairly healthy, but I'm not too good with portion control, and I tend to blow a lot of calories with really high-calorie foods like guacamole, peanut butter, nuts, cheese, granola. I also have to have my nightly bowl (or 2) of cereal, which I'm sure doesn't help. And I tend to indulge in chocolate and other sweets whenever they're around. I need to learn to say "no" to desserts and candy.

This is getting long, so I'll stop, but I'm looking forward to getting to know all of you better, and it is great to hear from you Jen. And Ruth, I have been meaning to write you forever to ask if you had the baby and all that, so please send pics sometime and tell me all about the birth! Congratulations!!! Oh, and I forgot to mention that I have polycystic ovarian syndrome too, which I think makes it harder for me to lose weight, which is why I have to exercise and diet like a crazy person. I feel your pain Ruth. Ok, I'm excited about this! I need some accountability!
Kristin