Hi *wave*

Wile33Coyote

I've been looking for a place where I could keep track of my calories and stumbled on myfitnesspal..so I signed up yesterday and looking and have been trying to figure up how things work.

I'm 42, wife (married 25 years to my soul mate) and mom (my boys are 22 and 18 years old)..and a lousy housekeeper, haha.
You know you hate housework when you would rather 'exercise' than do laundry.

I've been overweight..well..since I was born, but these past few years, my weight has really taken it's toll on the ol' body.
I was diagnosed with MS back in 2008, and then 2010 I had a stroke. 2011 I had emergency surgery ACDF after falling (arterial cervical disc & fusion on C3, C4, & C5). I never heeded the warning signs and after more TIA's during 2011 (mini strokes) I ended up having ANOTHER 2nd full blown stroke in 2012.
2013 and the beginning of this year I continued 'dealing' with MS 'flare ups' by sitting on the couch and feeling sorry for myself..

Well..April 2014..I guess you could say I just got tired of feeling sorry for myself and decided to get off my butt and do what I could to make myself feel better.
I've been on my 'journey' now for almost 12 weeks..I've lost 21 lbs, and 15" (off my belly, waist and upper arms)
I'm doing things I never imagined I would ever be able to do...
Hiking is my primary 'cardio'...4-5 days a week
I also just recently started using a recumbent bike twice a week, and I also do strength training using kettle-bells and dumbbells. 3 days a week.

I stay around 1600-1800 calories a day when I'm hiking, and a little less than that on my 'rest' days.
I've been keeping myself motivated by being 'gooofy'...Wile E. Coyote has been my biggest motivator, as well as my hiking buddy *Harley* (our 2 year old yellow Labrador) who goes with me on all of my hikes.

Looking forward to checking out the rest of myfitnesspal..and meeting you all. ((HUGS))