Going the Distance

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Introduce yourself. Tell us your story and goals!

TravelBear87
TravelBear87 Posts: 98 Member
edited November 23 in Social Groups
Hey all,

Please use this thread to introduce yourself, share your story and goals. :smile:
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Replies

  • TravelBear87
    TravelBear87 Posts: 98 Member
    Hey everyone.

    Firstly, thank you for showing an interest in my accountability group :smile:

    I wanted to introduce myself and explain why I have started an accountability group.

    I am a 30 year old, 5ft 2in female and I currently live in the UK. Over the last 4 years I have been travelling but I have finally settled back home. During that time I gained a good bit of weight and I am now ready and committed to drop the pounds.

    I was previously in really good shape, I worked in a gym and taught fitness classes but now I have an office job which has lead to the weight gain. When I last weighed in I was 137lbs, I would like to get back to 116lbs and really tone up.

    I would also like to get back in to running in a serious way as this was something I loved.

    The reason for this accountability group is because I personally get better results when I have a "buddy" to help me through it. When you are in touch with like minded people, I believe this will drive you to get the results you want!

    Before I worked in a gym, I gained weight and weighed in at 154lbs, this was 7 years ago. At the time I had an accountability buddy on My Fitness Pal and I managed to drop to 116lbs, so I know having support works!
  • TravelBear87
    TravelBear87 Posts: 98 Member
    Hey annamarie, thanks for the post :)

    I can totally relate to you on this because I have also been up and down. My biggest was 11st and when you are 5ft 2in and it all goes to your hips.....it's horrible! I am 9st 11lbs, so like you....not at my biggest weight but I am creeping up that way if I don't kick it soon!

    I hope this accountability group helps you. I know this sort of stuff works if people actually communicate and support each other. :)
  • TravelBear87
    TravelBear87 Posts: 98 Member
    Apologies, I meant hannamarie, silly autocorrect!
  • TravelBear87
    TravelBear87 Posts: 98 Member
    alvarezadriana968 wrote: »
    Hi everyone! I'm Rebecca. Thanks for letting me join this group. I want to get healthy. Heart disease, diabetes run in my family. I also want to get on a living donor kidney for a person. Plus, I plan on running my first 5K in April. Here's to a New Year, a new us!

    Hey Rebecca, thanks for joining the group! :) lots of great reasons to get fit and healthy. I love running and I run in a running club, so let me know if hou would like any advise :smile:

  • TravelBear87
    TravelBear87 Posts: 98 Member
    2nelune wrote: »
    Hi All! I’m Amanda and I’m excited to see what this group brings. I live in the U.S. near Chicago and have not been as physically active as I would like over the course of the last couple of months. Due to this, I’ve gained some. While, I don’t have a significant amount I’d like to lose (7-10 lbs), I need the support and motivation to stay active and eat healthy. I’m currently 135 lbs but have been 125 lbs for the majority of my adult life.

    Hi Amanda,

    Sometimes losing that last 7-10lbs is the difficult part so I hope this group helps you to stay motivated. That's why I have added a weekly weigh in because I firmly believe it keeps us on track but also it motivates us when we see the numbers go down.

    Thanks for joining :)
  • TravelBear87
    TravelBear87 Posts: 98 Member
    smdade wrote: »
    Hi all,

    My name’s Sam and I’m a 26-year old primary school teacher from Sydney, Australia. My weightloss journey has been a turbulent and lengthy one.

    I was 112kgs (247 lbs) at 16 years of age and over the last 9 years have hovered down between 70-80kgs (154-176 lbs). I was diagnosed with Binge Eating Disorder (BED) half way through this year and have been working with a specialised therapist for the past few months.

    Over the last six months, I have lost just over 13kgs (28 lbs) and have not binged in 195 days. I would like to lose my last 5-7kgs in 2018 maintain my weight whilst toning up (particularly the excess skin on my stomach/arms). My ideal weight range would be between 60-62kgs.

    In consultation with my therapist, I won’t be weighing weekly but will provide monthly 3D scans to the group that include weight, body fat percentage and measurements - I hope this is okay!! I am on MFP everyday so here to cheer you all on, regardless!

    I am currently one session away from finishing the ‘Couch to 5km’ running program and will move onto the 10km program next week. My aim is to compete in a half-marathon in September.

    I am so excited to be a part of this accountability group! Xo

    Hi Sam, thanks for joining the group!

    Well done on your weight loss and 195 days of not binging :smile:

    I don't know much about BED but I hope this group helps you stay motivated and keep on track for your weight loss goals. If you don't want to weigh in weekly then that's fine and understandable.

    Say a big hello to Sydney for me, I miss it so much. I lived near Centennial Park for 6 months and then Coogee for 6 months between 2014-2015 and I've only just got gotten over it
  • Angie_au
    Angie_au Posts: 42 Member
    Hi! I’m 23 from Australia. I have been trying to lose weight for a number of years and have always been slightly overweight for my height and age, hovering around 70kgs (I’m 163cm tall). I’m currently also suffering from polycyclic ovarian syndrome which means I have irregualr periods and this makes recording my weight a bit tricky as it tends to fluctuate irregularly with my irregular cycle. But I will still post my monthly weigh in for what it’s worth :)
    I’m currently 73.5kg and would like to lose around 6kg in next 3-4 months for when I go travelling overseas. I have been trying to lose weight the whole of 2017 and haven’t been successful. I think the problem is emotional eating and not eating within my calorie limit consistently. Hoping this group can keep me motivated and accountable! Let’s help each other smash our weight goals in 2018!! :)
  • TravelBear87
    TravelBear87 Posts: 98 Member
    Angie_au wrote: »
    Hi! I’m 23 from Australia. I have been trying to lose weight for a number of years and have always been slightly overweight for my height and age, hovering around 70kgs (I’m 163cm tall). I’m currently also suffering from polycyclic ovarian syndrome which means I have irregualr periods and this makes recording my weight a bit tricky as it tends to fluctuate irregularly with my irregular cycle. But I will still post my monthly weigh in for what it’s worth :)
    I’m currently 73.5kg and would like to lose around 6kg in next 3-4 months for when I go travelling overseas. I have been trying to lose weight the whole of 2017 and haven’t been successful. I think the problem is emotional eating and not eating within my calorie limit consistently. Hoping this group can keep me motivated and accountable! Let’s help each other smash our weight goals in 2018!! :)

    Hey, welcome to the group! Thanks for joining! :smile:

    I also have a problem with emotional eating and not being consistent with exercise or logging calories. I am hoping this group will be help me with motivation so I can reach my goals.

    No problem with the weigh ins, I understand but please do share your day to day achievements and also any weight loss.

    I hope this group helps with your goals! :smiley:

  • LizzyLiz29
    LizzyLiz29 Posts: 4 Member
    edited December 2017
    Hello, I'm 34 married and have two kiddos. I'm from the U.S. living in Indiana. I am looking forward to this accountability group. I'm 5'2" and my current weight is 185 lbs. I work in a doctors office and spend most of my day standing or sitting. I've tried numerous diets and programs over the years with a good friend of mine. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone's progress in this group and hoping for a little of my own. Here's to 2018!!
  • TravelBear87
    TravelBear87 Posts: 98 Member
    LizzyLiz29 wrote: »
    Hello, I'm 34 married and have two kiddos. I'm from the U.S. living in Indiana. I am looking forward to this accountability group. I'm 5'2" and my current weight is 185 lbs. I work in a doctors office and spend most of my day standing or sitting. I've tried numerous diets and programs over the years with a good friend of mine. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone's progress in this group and hoping for a little of my own. Here's to 2018!!

    Hey LizzyLiz, welcome to the group and thanks for joining :smile:

    I can relate to the office job, I think that's been one of he causes of my weigh gain and they always seem to bring in loads of treats like chocolate and cake.

    I'm really looking forward to this group too, I know having accountability groups work and when I logged consistently, I lost weight.

    I look forward to seeing your progress :smile:
  • alvarezadriana968
    alvarezadriana968 Posts: 48 Member
    TravelBear87 wrote: »
    alvarezadriana968 wrote: »
    Hi everyone! I'm Rebecca. Thanks for letting me join this group. I want to get healthy. Heart disease, diabetes run in my family. I also want to get on a living donor kidney for a person. Plus, I plan on running my first 5K in April. Here's to a New Year, a new us!

    Hey Rebecca, thanks for joining the group! :) lots of great reasons to get fit and healthy. I love running and I run in a running club, so let me know if hou would like any advise :smile:
    TravelBear87 wrote: »
    alvarezadriana968 wrote: »
    Hi everyone! I'm Rebecca. Thanks for letting me join this group. I want to get healthy. Heart disease, diabetes run in my family. I also want to get on a living donor kidney for a person. Plus, I plan on running my first 5K in April. Here's to a New Year, a new us!

    Hey Rebecca, thanks for joining the group! :) lots of great reasons to get fit and healthy. I love running and I run in a running club, so let me know if hou would like any advise :smile:

    My 8 year old daughter will be joining me in the 5K. We discussed this today. Mind you, she's a bean pole. I've ran a mile in 15 minutes. Any advice on how to shorten it?
  • TravelBear87
    TravelBear87 Posts: 98 Member
    gilson093 wrote: »
    Hi everyone!!
    I'm 28 and live in NYC. Over the last several years I've lost about 120 pounds. I had skin removal surgery on my abdomen in January and am having my arms done in two weeks!

    I've fallen off the band wagon since spring and gained about 15 pounds back, my biggest gain ever since I can remember. I'm a chef, so I'm surrounded by food all day, which doesn't help. But I started stress eating at work, which I've never done before

    This is the first group I've ever joined, so I'm hoping it helps me stay motivated to lose the weight once and for all!

    Welcome to the group, thanks for joining :smile:

    Well done on your weight loss, 120lbs is amazing. I hope this group helps you with your future goals. :smile:

  • TravelBear87
    TravelBear87 Posts: 98 Member

    [/quote]

    My 8 year old daughter will be joining me in the 5K. We discussed this today. Mind you, she's a bean pole. I've ran a mile in 15 minutes. Any advice on how to shorten it?[/quote]

    How do you run at the moment? Do you do this on a treadmill or outside? Also do you run the whole 5k or do you do some walking in between the running?

    When I first started running, I ran at a very similar pace and it would take 40 minutes or more for me to complete a 5K. A few years on, I now run a 5K in 26 minutes, so keep going because it does get better and naturally you will get faster. I aim to improve this time over the next 12 months, ideally i would love to shave a minute off.

    What really helped me was doing effort sessions. So for example on your 5K run, try and do a minute where you run to maximum effort (the idea is to get your heart rate pumping, you shouldn't be able to hold a conversation) and then return back to normal pace. Try and repeat this 5 or 6 times during your run. This will really improve your fitness but also should help with speed as you get fitter.

    Also hill sessions are really helpful (although can be hard). Hill sessions are a big part of our training in the running club and since doing them I have noticed my speed has improved. Perhaps choose a hill, run up the hill at effort, then recover coming back down the hill. Try and repeat this as many times as you can. :)

    I hope this helps, stay at it! X


  • fightingthetideofaging
    fightingthetideofaging Posts: 470 Member
    Hi everyone,

    My name is Bill. I live in Southwest Michigan, 69 years young, retired, lifelong bachelor.

    I have lost 57lbs. over the past couple years. My goal is to lose another 10-15lbs.

    I recently started running again and my passion is trail running. I will run roads on occaison. I belong to 1 running club, and 1 running group. Right now I'm doing 5k races, and just started 10k training.

    I enjoy a variety of activities: Pilates, Yoga, PiYo, Zumba, Spinning, rowing, bicycling, cardio classes, and more. It is so important to stay active as we age!!

    I've read all your intros, and I'm really looking forward to making new MFP friends, and being an active member of this group. Let's do it!!
    Bill
  • TravelBear87
    TravelBear87 Posts: 98 Member
    fightingthetideofaging wrote: »
    Hi everyone,

    My name is Bill. I live in Southwest Michigan, 69 years young, retired, lifelong bachelor.

    I have lost 57lbs. over the past couple years. My goal is to lose another 10-15lbs.

    I recently started running again and my passion is trail running. I will run roads on occaison. I belong to 1 running club, and 1 running group. Right now I'm doing 5k races, and just started 10k training.

    I enjoy a variety of activities: Pilates, Yoga, PiYo, Zumba, Spinning, rowing, bicycling, cardio classes, and more. It is so important to stay active as we age!!

    I've read all your intros, and I'm really looking forward to making new MFP friends, and being an active member of this group. Let's do it!!
    Bill

    Hey Bill, welcome to the group :smile:

    Well done on your weight loss already and I hope this group helps with future goals.

    Also it's great to see another runner in the group, maybe we can start a running challenge at some point which would be fun.

    :smile:
  • hannamarie0098
    hannamarie0098 Posts: 85 Member
    I miss running :( I was never especially good, my 5k pb was 29 minutes and 10k on was about 70 min. I can’t run at the moment as I have a hip issue and am awaiting surgery. I hope to get back into it again one day.
  • TravelBear87
    TravelBear87 Posts: 98 Member
    hannamarie0098 wrote: »
    I miss running :( I was never especially good, my 5k pb was 29 minutes and 10k on was about 70 min. I can’t run at the moment as I have a hip issue and am awaiting surgery. I hope to get back into it again one day.

    Oh no, have you stopped running long? What exercise do you do now? X

  • hannamarie0098
    hannamarie0098 Posts: 85 Member
    TravelBear87 wrote: »
    hannamarie0098 wrote: »
    I miss running :( I was never especially good, my 5k pb was 29 minutes and 10k on was about 70 min. I can’t run at the moment as I have a hip issue and am awaiting surgery. I hope to get back into it again one day.

    Oh no, have you stopped running long? What exercise do you do now? X

    I haven’t run in about a year. I’ve joined a gym instead and cycle but I’ve not been as consistent as I need to be. I recently bought some personal training sessions which I really enjoy so will continue with those. I miss the psychological benefits of running the most.
  • TravelBear87
    TravelBear87 Posts: 98 Member
    I'm struggling with discipline at the moment myself, although I'm feeling really determined for the New Year.

    I enjoy the benefits of running, it does help my mood but it doesn't help my poor knees haha!

    I hope the personal training sessions go well :smile:
  • saptap
    saptap Posts: 18 Member
    Thanks for adding me to the group. My weight loss journey started three years ago. I was 270 pounds and worked my way down to 183 pounds. Since my lowest weight (summer of 2016) I have worked to gain good weight (lifting weights to gain muscle) and even at my age, 47 now, I’ve been able to put some good weight on my body. The problem is I also put on some bad weight on (now I am 215 pounds) and developed some bad eating habits along the way. I want to lose around 20 pounds and will need to refocus my eating habits. I look forward to reaching my goals and seeing others in the group reach theirs. 2018 will be a good year!
  • ljdanny
    ljdanny Posts: 2,153 Member
    Hi my name is Tracy, I'm 45 and live in New Hampshire. I have 2 grown boys. I have had a lot of problem losing weight it just seems to go up. I have 50 pounds to lose hopefully I can get it done. I just started doing 21df and country heat. I also take a zumba class a few days per week and I walk. I do try running I'm not very good at it and my knees don't like it. I have to get better about logging my food. So that is my mini goal measure and log everything.
  • karinidowu
    karinidowu Posts: 327 Member
    edited December 2017
    Hello everyone,

    My name is Karin. I live in WA state area near Oregon border. I joined this group because I am looking for accountability. I have been struggling to lose weight from my last pregnancy which was 5 yrs ago! I did lose 20 lbs but gained most of it back. So really no excuse for me right now. This week I seemed to have got pneumonia and struggling with getting my energy levels back and I can’t stop coughing. Hoping I get better quickly because I really need to be exercising more. My biggest problem is that I love food a little to much! I am an emotional eater and struggle with binge eating. I have two girls I am homeschooling half the time and it is pretty demanding making sure they are growing academically. My goal for this year is to not binge eat, eat healthy meals, lose weight I gained and additional 20 more lbs weight loss. I thought about joining weight watchers but I just don’t want to spend the money! I weigh 211.5 pounds and I would love to get down to 170 lbs by end of the year. I am almost 5’ 10” tall.
    Thanks for letting me join this group! I am going to put a calendar up in my room to mark days I exercised, tracked meals and stayed binge free!
  • lowjax75
    lowjax75 Posts: 589 Member
    Hi Everyone! My name is Jeff. 42 year old and I can use all the help I can get. :smile: I've been on this journey for 8 years and two years ago started what I am calling my "last time". I was my highest weight and I will never go back here. Looking forward to the group here and helping to keep each other accountable and motivated, and helping to encourage each other.

    I'll post more later, but did want to say "Hi" before I take off for the day.
  • PNWBethany
    PNWBethany Posts: 116 Member
    edited December 2017
    Hello, I'm Bethany. I'm 32 years old, 5'4", about 160 pounds, and live in Washington state (U.S.). I used to be a public school teacher but am now a stay at mom to my 5 month old daughter. Until 5 years ago I was really pretty healthy. I finished two marathons, several half marathons, and enjoyed yoga. However, emotional eating led to a 40 pound weight gain. I still can't believe it happened! My family is very unhealthy - every single person is overweight, obese, or morbidly obese. (Diabetes, too). I previously lost about 20 pounds, then was pregnant, etc...I have about 25 more lbs to go. Thank you for letting me join this group - I really appreciate it and I feel hopeful that it will help.
  • TravelBear87
    TravelBear87 Posts: 98 Member
    Hi, welcome to all the newcomers. Apologies I've not responded individually but it's been a hectic day but I wanted to say hi before I go to bed.

    Thanks to everyone for joining the group. :smile:

    Don't forget to use the weigh in thread in discussions, not announcements.

    Also, tomorrow is the start of the January exercise challenge. I really want to encourage everyone to join, please see the thread for more details!

    Here's to 2018! Happy New Year everyone!

    :smiley:
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