newbie to MFP

tagsIT2011

Hi, everyone!!!! I am new to this site. I have a big weight loss goal ahead of me this year. My sister, Susan, recommended this site... she used it last year and lost 50 lbs so far. So I took her advice and signed up.. I have invited a few trustworthy friends to join as well. For my support, mentors, and drill sergeants. ha ha ha :laugh:

my biggest endeavor yet to undertake. I have lost significant amounts of weight before, but always gained it back plus extra. I expect this to be a long process because of my age (53):frown: .. but I have high hopes. It is no longer a choice. It is a requirement for my life, health, and wellbeing. Any advice, tips, mentoring, or drill sergeant techniques you all can provide will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for listening.....

weight loss 101
Cat from San Antonio:flowerforyou:

bevsdietfor2011

Hi Cat,

I also am 53 and trying to lose between 50-60 lbs and am disabled due to 3 back surgeries. I had to chuckle when I read your post as I am always telling my daughter that I need someone to be on me like Jillian Micheals from Biggest Loser. I would love to be your friend on here and just remember.....We can do this together and we are all here for you. Lets do this!!!!!

Bev

HolsDoinIt

welcome..good luck on your journey..

paulabarnes

Welcome. My story is similar to yours. I have tried every diet, fast, program, regimen over the past 40 years. I could always lose the weight, but I would always gain it back, plus some more. In 2009 I started reading - and getting serious about - the emotional and intellectual connections to weight. I decided to try to live a healthy lifestyle and deliberately not diet. Without being on any sort of program, I managed to stabilize my weight throughout the year. In 2009 I cranked it up a bit and found My Fitness Pal as a way to monitor my food intake.

I started just using the smart phone app. I liked the size of the database, and how easy it was to find and calculate pretty much everything I was eating. I set a modest calories-per-day goal and found that it was fairly easy to maintain. I became obsessed with recording everything I ate, and reflecting the exact portions. The difference this time around is that I consciously try to not deprive myself, but at the same time I don't go crazy on portions or my downfall foods: cheese doodles, ice cream, cheese. :-) Now i move back and forth between the app and the website. It perfectly meets my needs.

Once the weight started coming off, I cranked up a bit more and added exercise to my schedule. The weight dropped even faster. I lost about 60 lbs between January and October. Since Oct I've been focused on stabilizing - asking myself the question can I not fall of the wagon and actually maintain approximately the same weight? As of the end of January, the answer, amazingly, has been yes. I stopped recording everything I ate every single day, but I never went longer than 4-5 days without logging in.

Now I'm concentrating on losing another 25 lbs, to reach my goal weight of 180 lbs. I'm 5'7" and 57 years old. I don't have a support group online like you do, with your sister and friends, but I do enjoy reading other participants' posts, victories and set-backs. It reminds me we're all human, and we're none of us perfect. Good luck, and once again welcome. I'm rooting for you.

paulabarnes

Oprah Winfrey is also a big (no pun intended) inspiration to me. How about you?

novatri

I think you'll do well here. This site focuses on healthy, maintainable weight loss. Not so much crash diets. If you need any support add me as a friend.

Remember The ALAMO!!!

Sorry, had to say it as a fellow Texan.

tagsIT2011

Hi Bev!!!!

Thank you for your support. And yes i would like to have my own personal Jillian or bob from biggest loser. But I think they would kill me first. ha ha ha ha .. I worked at a gym in 2007, and actually hired a personal trainer as part of the package. 6 weeks with my terminator taught me quite a few things i didn't know. mainly how to work the gym equipment. She was from Russia, 4'9", blond with a bad attitude. She would have me work out on the treadmill. .. (she preset it) and stand beside me. If I could answer her questions, she would turn up the speed and the incline. She kept doing this until i had no breath to answer or talk to her. i was at 45 mph on a 10 incline...... And she laughed. but she was helpful and tough, but I think she could give Jillian and bob a serious run for their money. :bigsmile:
And you are correct.... We are in it for the long haul. and don't let your back surgeries hold you back to much. My philosophy is:: I you are moving, you are exercising. and it all counts.

tagsIT2011

Thank you..... Awesome that you did all that by yourself. I need people and their stories to motivate me and yours will definitely be on my top 5 list. But like you, I know this is a long haul. But the difference this time is, like you, i am changing to a healthy lifestyle, versus a "diet". thanks for your support.....

Cat....:flowerforyou: