24/M looking to drop 50~60 lbs seeking friends [pics]

That sounds like a personal ad doesn't it? Ha!

In any case, I'm looking to lose some weight I put on when I was younger. Just before I turned 16, I began having severe pain when bending and was diagnosed with ruptured and distended discs in my lower lumbar region. In PT was given the wrong type of exercises for the direction of my ruptures and eventually became too pained to move except to toilet. I began getting injections and eventually started moving again with an added 30~40 lbs.

I stayed 185~200 while I was at university, varying due to stress and money constraints. I ended more in the 200~210 range and fought through some impossibly hard times. I finally started getting my life in order two years ago and had begun using Livestrong to track my food/exercise. I finally got back down to 183lbs and got a new job that came with an office. I managed to keep the gain down to ~10lbs until holidays, when it got back to ~200lbs.

I started getting things sorted in April 2011 and was back down to 190lbs, going to the gym regularly when I was in a nasty wreck (T-boned and rolled through an intersection), and subsequently lost motivation and willpower not to eat my depression and anger at the situation (I wasn't injured, thankfully). I used the incident as an excuse not to work out (too sore!) and to eat crap (can't drive to the grocery!) and the weigh packed back on. My highest (recorded) weight was 223.5lbs.

Last October and decided enough was enough. I saw one too many terrible photo and had to retire one too many favorite article of clothing. I went out on a whim and bought some running shoes and decided I was going to start running. The end of November saw my first 5k, which I completed in 46:30.

February saw my weight hit 201lbs and I was so excited to finally get back under 200... then lost it again. I had to fly cross-country to accept an award and while my career was taking off... so did my weight. I've managed to maintain 210 or less, but after March, it's been miserable getting back into it. Another job change happened in May and while they have a gym open just across the street 24/7, I've had too much trouble getting over there regularly as of late. That, coupled with a move, and I've lost all semblance of regularity and control. I've gotten my daily down but every day around 5pm it falls apart. My fiancé (who is significantly smaller, but who has gained ~20lbs in the last few months) and I have been deviating from our plans and hitting the sweets even when we have a good, healthy dinner.

My calorie count doesn't get monstrously out of control, but I'm averaging 2k~2.1k more often than not. I scarcely exercise, except that I do some arm exercises in the morning with a 10lb weight while I cook breakfast. It's getting to a point that I'm afraid I'll lose all headway I've made, and I am getting buried in excuses.

So! I want some people that will be positive in my life, and who will help motivate me when I'm feeling weak and silly. Between my fiancé who refuses to work out (at all, in any capacity) and my mother and brother who are anorexic (the latter just dropped from 260lbs to 180lbs or less in <6 months, he won't let anyone know what he weighs now), I feel like I'm at a loss for proper support. Anyone who will help me get and keep on track, I will gladly welcome, and I will give back every bit I'm given and more.

Now, obligatory photos:

February '11 ~195lbs


November '11 ~220lbs


May '12 ~206lbs


So there we are! I'll add those who add me and we'll all make excellent choices and changes in our lives! My goal is to get back around 150~160, and to get well toned while doing so. I've taken the first part of this day as a cleanse, drinking a lot of jasmine oolong and planning out some light exercise for when I get off. My fiancé and I are going for sushi this evening and then tomorrow I'll plan it all out and get back on track!