Hi! I'm Raika, a 21 year old college student at George Mason University (Go Patriots!) doubling majoring in Global Affairs and Government/International Politics with a minor in Japanese (and no, I have no life). I'll be graduating in May and attending John's Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) in the fall in order to get my MA in International Economics/Japan Studies.

In the spring I coach high school crew (rowing). I'm the novice women's coach and I don't think there is anything more rewarding than watching the rowers do well.

In my, little, free time I like to watch anime, read manga, fanfiction and fantasy books, play video games, and listen to Japanese music.

I started at this site on May 22nd 2006, with the starting goal of looseing the 20lbs I had gained on medication for my asthsma. After looseing that weight I was back at 175 and decided to just keep right on going until I was no longer the overweight girl I had been my whole life.

It took me about 8 months to lose 65 pounds and reach my overall goal and now have no more desire to get any thinner. I've never been this thin or healthy and I'm extremely proud of what I have done for myself. It's amazing what you can do when you put your mind to it!

I've started a blog in order to give back to this community. On it I'm going to write about what I learned, post recipies and product reviews, and just about anything else that relates to weight loss and can help other people.

Please visit at http://shrinkingwaistlines.blogspot.com/ !