I am new too, just joined a couple of days ago. I haven't really started the whole plan, I am "research" phase and waiting for my book to arrive. I too want to lose about 70 pounds. It seems impossible, but I read journals and see what people have lost and what they have eaten doing it...amazing. I am a total carb addict, so that is going to be a major adjustment for me, but I am on my third almost carb free day, and already lost two pounds??????? I don't know if it is easier in that I am single and can eat what and when I want. Good luck to you. Hope you start a journal and if you like, become lc friends oh yes. for fun you may wish to visit a site called myvirtualmodel.com There you can build an avatar that shows what you would look like at any given weight loss. OMG Mine shows me in a bikini at my goal weight LOL A forty-year old spinster school marm in a bikini...works for me!!!!!!!!!! GOOD LUCK