My Intro

JLively1020

Hello. While iv used MFP off and on for a couple of years, iv only recently begun using the forums. I read and laughed at the bad and absorbed the positive. Mostly I come for the inspiration and the occasional beneficial information needed to tweak my goals. With that said, here is what brought me here...

On October 23rd 2010 I received a heart transplant. I had suffered several years of heart problems, two heart attacks, and a LVAD to get there, but I made it! Going in to my transplant I was not able to be physically active. My weight going in was 210lbs. When I woke up from the surgery I weighed 260lbs from all the water absorbed through the tissue.

Its been a little over 4 years now and I am still over weight at 240lbs. Iv suffered from chronic migraines that were brought on by the transplant. These migraines are aggravated by exercise and barometric changes, but not always. I am for example able to coach little league soccer, go on power walks for about 30-45 min ( when its not -25, I live in Minnesota) and do some basic stretching, squats ect. ( Migraines are being treated via Botox and will hopefully become a zero factor in the near future.)

I am a single father of two young children. Our food budget is about $300 a month so much of our food is high carb foods, whole wheat breads, noodles, rice, and potatoes. I have MFP set at 1500 calories and though I do cheat from time to time, I am pretty consistent between 1200-1500. I do not use a scale yet, but I try to measure via cups, tbs, Tbs. and ounces.

One thing iv noticed ( and im sure this has been covered in the forums already) is that I will input my daily food info and at the end of the day MFP reads something like " If everyday were like today" " you'd weigh" yet its never worked out that way. While im not one of those "butthurt" peoples, iv often wondered why this is? The other question I have is the connection between another app I use " RunKeeper" and MFP. Iv noticed a difference in the cardio. 30 min of run/walk time in the apps is a significant calorie count difference.

Any ways, thank you for take the time to read my story. It is my goal to hit 200lbs this time next year or sooner. Id like to run a half marathon or more next year, or maybe even this year and really start living a proactive lifestyle. Cutting the weight isn't just about feeling better or looking good, its for my kids!