New members - tell us about yourself

1151618202126

Replies

  • scolaris
    scolaris Posts: 2,145 Member
    That's great!
  • BBee5064
    BBee5064 Posts: 1,020 Member
    Welcome to our group. we look forward to supporting you & getting to know you all :)
  • golfmonk
    golfmonk Posts: 119 Member
    edited August 2015
    I have been a member of this group for a month or so; figured it was time to add something to this thread. Warning: this will be long! lol!

    I am in my mid-50's and go by my childhood nickname of "JB". I was a normal weight kid and I might have gained 10 pounds during my tour of college (undergrad and grad). It wasn't until I got into my 30's that I started gaining 10 pounds a year until I reached a high of 250 pounds at a height of 5'11".

    It's funny that it was not the weight that bothered me (somehow, in my mind, I didn't think I was that fat), but when I could not fit into my size 36" pants that I had been wearing for many years and was forced to buy a few pairs of size 38" pants was the catalyst for me to take my health into my own hands.

    I proceeded to drop 55 pounds (going from 250 to 195), but I was doing it all wrong. I was not accurately weighing or logging food. Instead, I basically was on a starvation diet somedays probably eating only 1000 calories. Then some change in work dynamics caused me to regain some of the weight (to about 220).

    Then I discovered MFP. I probably lurked for 6 months before signing up and purchasing a digital food scale (the food scale in addition with a scale you use to measure your weight were the two most important tools in my arsenal), I steadily dropped from 220 to a low of 183 (but been maintaining in the upper 180's for a year now) and now easily fit into size 34" pants. I had asked my doctor if I should try to get to 175 (which was my original goal weight) and he said that the weight I am now is good enough (mind you, my doctor _hounded me_ for years to lose weight, so when he said I looked great, this is good enough for me), I am currently trying to recomp by body. I have always enjoyed lifting weights and my next year goal is to pack on some muscle that I most definitely lost from the last two diet attempts.

    I have been at this 185-190 range for over a year and I just joined the national weight control registry (got their packet this week) and I just have to be mindful on what I eat and to monitor my weight fluctuation via daily weightings. I really never want to get back to over 200 pounds again as long as I live.

    Best of luck to all in this group in their weight loss and maintenance journeys! If I can do this, really anyone else can do this too...

    JB
  • BRaye325
    BRaye325 Posts: 1,383 Member
    Nice to meet you JB. Thanks for sharing!
  • Farback
    Farback Posts: 1,088 Member
    Welcome JB. If you're interested in power lifting I'd recommend www.startingstrength.com. Great group, a lot of older lifters, some in their 70's there. The books available are 'the bible' for lifting for all ages and levels of experience.
  • nikkib0103
    nikkib0103 Posts: 969 Member
    Welcome, JB. Seems like you are doing really well.
  • marekdds
    marekdds Posts: 2,231 Member
    Welcome JB! Looks like you have got a handle on this. Well done!
  • mk2fit
    mk2fit Posts: 730 Member
    Welcome all! This is a great group, as others have told you. We are a safe place to go...no harsh judgments, no nastiness. Lots of caring and helpful people.
  • golfmonk
    golfmonk Posts: 119 Member
    Thank you mk2loser, marekdds, nikkib0103, Farback and BRaye325 for the kind words.

    I pretty much done most of this on my own. I know what I needed to do and using MFP helped put my plan in action. I just hope that I can maintain the weigh (plus/minus 5 pounds) for years to come.

    The best of luck to everyone in this group!!

    JB
  • BBee5064
    BBee5064 Posts: 1,020 Member
    Nice to have you in the group JB
  • 1299batman
    1299batman Posts: 23 Member
    Hello All,

    Please add me as a friend! :)

    My name is Marty. I will be 55 at the beginning of 2015. I lived most of my life in California, but moved to Idaho last year for employment. I love to fish, hike, camp and pistol shoot.

    I am a certified personal trainer, but I did it basically to know more for myself. I love fitness and when I travel for work or pleasure, I plan on working out. I work out at home and use Bowflex Selecttech 552 dumbbells, Anti-burst ball as my bench and I have a Power Tower Station for pull-ups, dips, etc. My workout programs are Body Beast, Supreme 90 Day Workout, P90X3 and Les Mills Combat.

    My favorite qoute: "That pain you are feeling during your workout is a reminder from God that you are alive" -Marty.

    God Bless
  • golfmonk
    golfmonk Posts: 119 Member
    Welcome Marty!!

    JB
  • golfmonk
    golfmonk Posts: 119 Member
    BBee5064 wrote: »
    Nice to have you in the group JB

    Thank you BBee5064!

    JB
  • MostlyWater
    MostlyWater Posts: 4,294 Member
    My chest isn't strong. I would use 3 lb weights or 5 lb weights for chest flies and ache for days. When my favorite teacher came back from maternity leave, I took 8's, thought I'd push myself, but they felt light; I realized I could use 10's!
  • diane5414
    diane5414 Posts: 5 Member
    BRaye325 wrote: »
    Welcome to the group! We look forward to getting to know you. Please post a reply and tell us about yourself. Also, feel free to start a new discussion at any time on something you need to know, want to share, or just think might be fun.

    Hi, I'm 64 and need to lose a lot of weight, I have had both knees replaced and need to get the weight off of them, would like some friends that will help keep me in line with my goal. I am a stress eater with a lot of stress in my life but I really want to reach my goal . Please help
  • marekdds
    marekdds Posts: 2,231 Member
    Welcome Diane! Stress eating is a killer. I can easily wolf down a bunch of stuff I shouldn't have in the first place when I am stressed. It really helps me to plan meals. I prep breakfast and lunch ahead so I don't stray too much, but it is hard. You can do it.
  • clynns54
    clynns54 Posts: 346 Member
    Hi, I'm 56 and live in Colorado. My path to being overweight has been a slow?? and steady one. I decided around age 52 I neded to get in gear before it was too late. I've lost 20 pounds and would like to lose another 60 pounds. I've spent a fair amount of time over the past 4 years experimenting with what works for me. I know what I need to do, just need some help staying motivated. I'm looking forward to being a part of this group!
  • fiddletime
    fiddletime Posts: 1,868 Member
    Hi. I'm 60 and fighting some incidious weight gain that I'm having trouble losing. Well, I did lose 25# last year on MFP and promptly regained it. Now I'm down ten pounds but want to maintain when I get to my goal- for life. I like to workout and use my treadmill and am currently on week 10 of Alpha T25. Start Beta next week. It's a workout DVD.

    I read some of the stories and am really impressed with so many of you! I'm glad I noticed today that this group was here.
  • marekdds
    marekdds Posts: 2,231 Member
    Welcome to the group! Lot of nice, supportive people here. I took the slow route too. Been at goal for 3 years!
  • BBee5064
    BBee5064 Posts: 1,020 Member
    Lovely to see all you new members of the group. Thanks for sharing your story. Please be assured that you are now part of a supportively kind friendship group.
  • pennell12
    pennell12 Posts: 190 Member
    Hi,

    I am 64 and Type 2 diabetic. Trying to normalize blood sugars and lose weight. Need some buddies along the way!
  • anniesgolden
    anniesgolden Posts: 12 Member
    Hello! I turned 50 four weeks ago, became an empty-nester two weeks ago, and starting having hot flashes a week ago. In the midst of all this upheaval I decided that I really couldn't call it "baby fat" any more, since my youngest was now in college, and I needed to think seriously about improving my fitness. And, in the back of my mind, about losing the weight.

    It's about BUILD LIFESTYLE HABITS, rather than DIET - dieting is punishment and I can't wait for it to be over, while "eat more veggies" and "move more" are things I want to continue to do for another 50 years.

    I started four weeks ago just logging what I ate to build awareness (granola bars have how many calories??). Last grocery store trip, 90% of my cart was produce, and I weigh all my food in grams now.

    I've never been active, unless page-turning is an Olympic sport. Four weeks ago I just wanted to walk the dogs without having to take a break to DIE. We never made it all the way to "the corner" - we live in the country, so that's 3 miles round trip, and it's uphill, both ways. Now I'm considering a Couch-to-5K program to work up to RUNNING to the corner and back. Who is this person?
  • marekdds
    marekdds Posts: 2,231 Member
    Penell and Annie welcome! Great supportive group here. Logging food is so helpful. I never ran a day in my life til about 3-4 years ago. I did the couch to 5k and I have run some 5 ks. Who new I could do that in my 60's. You can do it too.
  • DaveThomas1901
    DaveThomas1901 Posts: 58 Member
    Greetings folks. I'm Dave, from Essex in the UK. Married father of two, with a few pets thrown in. I work nights and like to read a bit. Non drinker for nearly 9 years but good/ bad when it comes to food. I exercise quite a bit and have a half marathon in a few weeks. Hope all good, thanks Dave.
  • golfmonk
    golfmonk Posts: 119 Member
    Welcome Dave, Penell and Annie!
  • pennell12
    pennell12 Posts: 190 Member
    Hello! I turned 50 four weeks ago, became an empty-nester two weeks ago, and starting having hot flashes a week ago. In the midst of all this upheaval I decided that I really couldn't call it "baby fat" any more, since my youngest was now in college, and I needed to think seriously about improving my fitness. And, in the back of my mind, about losing the weight.

    It's about BUILD LIFESTYLE HABITS, rather than DIET - dieting is punishment and I can't wait for it to be over, while "eat more veggies" and "move more" are things I want to continue to do for another 50 years.

    I started four weeks ago just logging what I ate to build awareness (granola bars have how many calories??). Last grocery store trip, 90% of my cart was produce, and I weigh all my food in grams now.

    I've never been active, unless page-turning is an Olympic sport. Four weeks ago I just wanted to walk the dogs without having to take a break to DIE. We never made it all the way to "the corner" - we live in the country, so that's 3 miles round trip, and it's uphill, both ways. Now I'm considering a Couch-to-5K program to work up to RUNNING to the corner and back. Who is this person?

    Great post! Keep up the good work :)

  • nikkib0103
    nikkib0103 Posts: 969 Member
    Welcome! It's a good group and you will find good company, info and encouragement here.
  • BBee5064
    BBee5064 Posts: 1,020 Member

    Welcome to Dave, Pennell & Annie :-)
  • DaveThomas1901
    DaveThomas1901 Posts: 58 Member
    Thanks for the welcome. Working all day, hopefully gym on way home and try to eat ok. Have a good Sunday all :)
  • golfmonk
    golfmonk Posts: 119 Member
    You too Dave! Heading to the gym myself!