I'm new here - nice to meet you!!

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DrJthe2nd
DrJthe2nd Posts: 3 Member

Hi all - I'm Jessica, and I live north of Baltimore, MD. I'm in my early 50s, and would love to make some friends in my age group (or really any age group!!!). I have lost about 60 pounds in the last year by using Mounjaro (Zepbound), using the Noom app, riding my Peloton bike, running, and some strength training (though not enough). I am still taking a small dose of Zepbound, but my doctor doesn't really think I need it. I'm going to keep the micro dose that I am on though, just because it gives me more confidence.

Jessica D at heaviest.jpeg

This photo is from June 2021, when I think I was at my heaviest, which was about 175 at 5'2" tall. I was absolutely disgusted with myself, but unless I looked at pictures I really had no idea how big I was. I looked like this for several years, until I started the Zepbound at the beginning of January 2024. I decided something had to change when we were planning our daughter's college graduation trip to Spain and Italy for May 2024, and I knew I needed to get in shape so I could keep up with my family on hikes and even just daily walking around cities.

DE2ED989-5133-4F6C-9B43-C61F9C325C06_1_105_c.jpeg

This picture is from last July, so just about a year ago. I had done three Peloton Power Zone training programs in a row, and between that and eating well, I didn't look like I did in that first photo anymore. I was just starting to run again. I had been a runner in my 30s but gave it up and then started gaining all of that weight. I was never fast though, and even though I ran 4 marathons and about 15 half-marathons, I didn't ever run a race longer than a 5k without stopping to walk. I trained with a coach on runcoach.com (highly recommend, by the way) and get got me to the Baltimore Half Marathon in October just under 2:30:00 and without walking a single step.

Over the course of the past 12 months, I have been able to maintain my weight at about 115-120 with the help of my running coach and a phenomenal registered dietician. I fit in sizes I have never worn in my life. I needed the dietician because as I was losing weight, I became more and more fearful that I was going to gain it all back. I was progressing toward anorexia, because I was afraid to eat, and she got me on a healthy, balanced, sustainable eating plan. I can eat what I want most of the time, because most of what I want is decently healthy. If it isn't good for me, I don't feel the need to justify eating it, I just stop when I am full and try to fill up on the good stuff first. I am happy to be using myfitnesspal to help me make sure I am getting enough nutrition to balance out my exercise. It also links to my Garmin account, so all of my workouts and food are synced in both apps.

I would be love to meet some people and have a few friends to keep me accountable. My mother passed away in January, and I didn't run for a while, and then I ended up with a pretty significant piriformis injury that I am working on in PT. I am starting to come back though, getting some of my conditioning back to a degree. It is so great to meet you all!

Replies

  • leaugsten
    leaugsten Posts: 1 Member
  • dvmmcw7442
    dvmmcw7442 Posts: 93 Member
    edited June 18

    Hi Jessica @DrJthe2nd

    I am 58 and finally digging my way out of an eating disorder that claimed my life for 40 years. I am at a place where I have about 20 pounds to lose but more important am getting over food being the enemy… or best friend. An all consuming cycle. I am finally at a point where I just want to do my body good. It’s put up with enough.

    I am a lifelong athlete. Used to run half’s but a knee replacement has got me walking and biking. I also weight train 5 days a week- lifting a lot heavier than I ever have.

    I focus on macro counting.

    Add me if you like.

    Melanie