Grandma's Working on a New Life

laurenlaw2

Hi all...after a lifetime of obesity (I weighed 200 pounds when I graduated high school)...after gaining 20 lbs after each of 3 pregnancies (yep that's 60 more) and then deciding my "comfortable weight" was 283 pounds (where I lived for several years, cancer came to visit 9 years ago. That summer I "comforted myself with food" all the way to 319 pounds! I'm still so ashamed when I see that number. Chemo dropped me back down to 250...and celebrating took me back up to 280. In the next few years there was a lot of loss...my father in 2010...my mother in 2011...a dear, dear young friend in 2012...and a brother in 2014!!! But God was good and for every loss there was a new baby in my life...4 grandsons and 2 beautiful granddaughters (now ranging between 3-11 years of age). It is those little sparkles that have sparked my desire to lead a more healthy life. I'm afraid I set such a poor example for my own 2 sons and my daughter...all carrying enough weight to be morbidly obese. I'm hoping that if I can show them that at this stage of the game I can lose weight, that they will attempt to do so with me. I'm happy to announce that I'm now back down to what I weighed during my last child's birth...240...help 73 pounds down from my highest. I can't tell you how proud of that I am because I really didn't believe I could lose weight. That happened strictly through portion control...the only change I made to my life. However, now I'm feeling lighter, I believe I'm finally ready to try to add some minimal exercise...I'm inhibited by severe lower back pain from an almost 20-year-old injury...weak muscles in my legs (from a very sedentary life)...a bone spur (that flares up and makes walking nearly impossible). I have however recently fallen in love with being in the swimming pool, and hope to join an organized water aerobics class soon. So I introduce myself hoping to find some like-minded sisters who are 60 (or in the range)...like to talk about grandkids (because I most certainly do)...aren't dieting like a fanatic (because I never will) and who just want a cheerleader and want to be a cheerleader in my life. When I lost my mom, I lost my greatest cheerleader and encourager...and I've really let it get to me. I just believe there's someone else out there looking for a friend...wanting to be a friend...and in the same boat. Hope to hear from anyone!

patsyacs

Like you I have no desire to do extreme dieting - just portion control and keep the calories in control. I did not gain weight with either of my pregnancies- 2 kids - but I put on at least 40 pounds after I hit 40 (I'll be 66 next month) years ago. I did not consider myself obese at 175 but the doctor told me to lose some weight.

I joined a water aerobics class a few years ago - twice a week for 45+ minutes - and have managed to lose 15 pounds, although I was told not to expect any loss. I have improved my balance and stamina though.
My daughter has two teenagers who are sports nuts - tennis, lacrosse, track, and they keep us busy cheering.

I would like to have a friend here to encourage me. A suggestion - join a challenge on here and you'll find a lot of people in the same boat as you. I have joined one that keeps going year to year with short breaks. I don't know if the monitor is still accepting new members. Look for "time to transition" by "kcthatsme" if you decide to try it.