Greetings!

alexispike717

My name is Alexis Pike!

I joined last year when I decided to make a change in my health habits. My personal trainer suggested I use MFP, which I did, but I have never been successful using the program since I joined in Oct. 2020 (longest consistency was about a week).

However, my physical and mental health have become of greater concern, even with losing 20 pounds, since October 2020. I didn’t even know that a message to introduce myself was waiting for me…

I have not progressively lost any weight since February/March of 2021. My weight has fluctuated up and down surrounding the same general weight (which is still 23 pounds from my first Goal weight). As a result of having hypertension, my doctor has given me a smaller goal that seems more attainable -10lbs.

I have been told by my PCP that I need to exercise at least 30 minutes a day (doing just two days a week with my trainer has been a fight for me (at times), which seems like a mountainous task for me!

I had a dear family friend pass away, unexpectedly, in his sleep two weeks ago and the only health factor we were aware of was that he had High Blood Pressure and the last few times I did get to see him he was often speaking of NEEDING to improve his health, per the Drs. Orders, and he used words like I have to make a change if I want to be around. I had no idea how severe things must have really been.

This has scared me and I really don’t want to create a “voluntary” early demise for myself because I simply choose not to make adjustments in my lifestyle.

springlering62

@alexispike717 welcome to the MFP boards. I’m sorry you lost your friend, but take it as his final loving gift to you, to wake you up.

Watching my parents health decline rapidly due to weight related issues like diabetes, congestive heart failure, weight related dementia, atrophy and more was one of the things that kicked my butt into gear.

Let’s get you started all over again, the proper way.

Have you gone to Goals and entered your height, activity level and current/goal weights?

If I understand you right you only have 24 pounds to lose. That’s actually pretty close to goal. Don’t go hog wild a select a pound or two every week.

Do it mindfully. I’d recommend 1/2 pound a week.

That gives you plenty to eat, and gives you breathing room to build new habits, make lower cal substitutions, and create a framework to continue this well past weight loss and into maintenance.

As far as exercise, keep doing what you’re doing, but consider adding simple walking to your day. It doesn’t have to be far. For me, the more I walked, the more I wanted and needed to walk.

And don’t forget, exercise not only builds health, but can give you extra calories to eat. Win/Win!

You might also find this thread helpful:
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10610953/neat-improvement-strategies-to-improve-weight-loss/p1

I assume you already have a food scale. Weigh accurately (which means by the gram, not by the cup or tablespoon) and log honestly. You cheat no one but yourself if you don’t.

I hope you’ll join us here on the boards. The boards kinda swept me along. I learned so much here that it made loss surprisingly easy.

cherylscott4

I have lost about 80 pounds when I started on Sparks people; it took me a year and half to loss that weight. I was so proud of my self and I lower my change for diabetes. I will always have a heart problem but I workout to help my heart rate to increase. Not to mention I like wearing a smaller size clothes. And I would like to have you for a workout buddy. Now I must loss twenty pounds; I stop my workout routine when my great granddaughter learned how to climb out of her playpen. I just had to change my routine to match my time to teach and spending time with her. I try to do at least 30 minutes of workout everyday. If you like I would like us to help each other. Please let me know.