Introductions

irisheyes42us

:flowerforyou: Hello My name is Deb from Missouri. I have been with MFP since July of this year. I am married to my HS sweetheart for 41 yrs now. We have 2 children and 5 grandchildren. I have been overweight the majority of my 57 yrs of living. I am ready this time to stay for the long haul. I have lost 23 and would like to lose 58 more. MFP has been a lifesaver for me. I have met some wonderful supportive people on here. I work full time, and I do not love exercise, but have bought a used gazelle, which seems to fit the bill for me. I can only do 10 minutes at a time, but I feel myself firming up. My husband Terry is very supportive and is dieting and exercising with me. He has probably lost 20 lbs also. Look forward to connecting with all of you here. Most of my MFP friends are very young. I look for people who are motivated, even if I can't keep up with them in exercise. I have a few physical restraints. lol!

Janice0711

How exciting to find such a wonderful fitness group! This is just the support I need to help me be successful!


This is a new chapter in my life...Two years ago, I retired from teaching Elem. school for 32 years. I love my retirement , love to travel & I do some sewing for a lady that has a little girl's shop .
I have been happily married to my soul mate for 19 yrs.

I am 57 years old, & have 2 grown children~My son has been married 6 yrs. & they have my only grand child. My daughter got married 1 1/2 yrs ago to a Fireman/paramedic & my 4 yr old grand daughter was the flower girl.

My daughter joined My Fitness Pal, and invited me to join. I have been exercising at home, but it would be nice to have support.
I have lost 25 lbs. since last May & I have 30 lbs to go~
I have some "range of motion" limitations~Please read my story~This will give you an idea where I am coming from~

On this day~6yrs ago~Sunday, Nov. 6th~In just a few minutes, our lives were changed...

Little did I realize, when I got my lesson plans ready for the next week & got my grades in the computer for report cards~I would not be returning to my classroom for 9 months!

Hubby & I were riding the Harley to go eat at Olive Garden~We "never" made it! Hit & Run stopped us~A lady talking on her cell phone hit us & took off~They never found her!

I got my right foot stuck between my floor board & the tail pipe....the bike flipped several times, with me like a "rag doll"~I ended up face down in the freeway with a 800 lb motorcycle on top of me~The freeway was shut down for 1 hour, so no one ran over us~Careflight hovered overhead, but I regained consciousness, so I was taken to JPS Hospital by ambulance. Our neighbor from up the street, was one of the Haltom City fireman/paramedics that assisted us~We were less than 1 mile from home~

My hubby was thrown free from the bike & broke his wrist in 7 places~He also dislocated his shoulder when he threw the bike off me~I broke & dislocated my right shoulder & right ankle, torn rotator cuff left shoulder, cracked scapula, 6 broken ribs, several cracked vertebrae, and a concussion~Had surgery on rt shoulder & ankle at the same time~a plate & screws in rt. shoulder & rt. ankle~

*From the moment I realized I was in ICU, I never felt like I had the option "not to get better"!

My Dad brought me a stuffed animal~I squeezed the head & bottom of the stuffed cat to take the swelling out of my hands~(He thought it was a dog~ha!)

Spent 11 days in ICU~The hardest thing I have ever done, is to slide out of bed and sit in a chair for 2 hrs.!

Transferred to a rehab hospital wing at Life Care Center, lived there for 4 weeks. I was brought in on a gurney & was not even able to sit up~ Borrowed a wheelchair from Life Care Center & taught myself to eat & dress again...1st one at therapy everyday~I figured out how to use the momentum of rocking my left arm & left leg at the same time, to sit up in bed, and to get into the wheelchair~Hubby set up a TV & DVD player & Mom brought me scraps of fabric~When I wasn't in therapy, I was watching movies & sewing a quilt of scraps by hand~I had a sweet 96 yr old room mate, Velma~

Thanksgiving dinner was eaten in a private dining room at Life Care Center~Hubby went to my parent's house with the family and brought me my Mom's Thanksgiving dinner~My son asked my Mom, if we "could break me out" for Christmas~

Everyday, Carl went to work & then came to see me at night~Almost every night, he brought me dinner~

Mom came twice a day~She wheeled me to sit in the courtyard and to get ice for my water, or Diet Cokes~
Sometimes, when she was wheeling me, she ran me into the wall~LOL

My goal, was to be able to walk out of Life Care Center, using a side walker & leave the wheelchair behind. I practiced as much as I could, walking with my ankle therapist up and down all the halls~

Once, a resident ask my ankle therapist how I was doing & if he had me "running" yet~He told him I was doing great, but no running~The man said, "I guess you are not finished." I told him, we were finished....I didn't "run" BEFORE the accident! HA!

After 4 weeks, on Dec. 16th I was able to come home~My Mom told the doctor she was taking me home~She was assertive, so they let me go~ha! My parents came to pick me up & move my stuff home~I wheeled myself to the front door & Left it at the front door & walked out with my side walker~

Mom visited me everyday~Mom brought me more fabric and I made two more quilts during my recovery~Both of these on machine~I got some great ankle therapy with that sewing machine!

Mom & I took a big chocolate cake & Thank You card to our Haltom City fire station~

All our bedrooms upstairs, so hubby moved den furniture out & put a twin bed in the den for me~ lived downstairs for 3 months~Continued out patient therapy, Mom drove me until I was able to drive myself ~I am still friends with my shoulder therapist, Stacey~

July, 2006~another surgery on rt. shoulder at N Hills Hosp.~Dr. Kelly took out 3 screws that were impeding my range of motion~This was an out patient surgery~Mom & I took Dr. Kelly's office a chocolate cake & a NASCAR quilt we had made him~He was really excited!

August, 2006 I started back to teaching~My principal, Mike Dukes,walked me to my classroom for the first time in 9 months~It was a very emotional time for me!

I taught 3 more years before retiring with 32 years of service for BISD~I am glad I went back to teaching~It was "all day therapy"& I was stronger because of it~

I am walking great & can finally get both my arms over head! Yeah! ;0)

Since our accident, I have been able to enjoy my 4 year old grand daughter, see my daughter get married & am enjoying retirement!

Today, on the day, 6 yrs later, hubby & I went to Olive Garden~

*I tell my story, to try an encourage others~Although, I do not have full range of motion in my shoulders, I can now get both arms almost straight over my head. I still have a plate & screws in my right shoulder & right ankle. To look at me, you would never know anything happened. AND, I am happy to say, I don't "set off" the metal detectors at the airport! LOL

I have done really well with weight loss in the past when we had a group of teachers working on it together. We had our own version of "Biggest Loser". Now that I am retired, I think this group might help to fill that void in support. I still visit with my "teacher friends" once a week or so, but our focus is not on "weight loss"! ha! I also keep up with friends & family through Facebook, but like some of you mentioned, everyone you know doesn't have to follow the details of your weight loss, unless we chose to share it. ha!
Best of Luck to everyone!
Janice

I am looking forward to talking with you and sharing ideas.

jaabee11

A huge big welcome Janice, thanks for sharing.

shunyata13

Thanks for sharing your story Janice, you have gone through a lot and if you look at some of the stories in our group there are others in here that have had car accidents, surgery, etc. that put our life in an entirely different direction that what was happening at the time. This is a group of people that despite our past issues we have a good outlook on life and want a healthy lifestyle and are determined to move forward . Good luck in your continued recovery.

67ML67

Hi Everyone!!! I am ML and new to fitness pal! I am a personal friend of samantha1953. In fact, she is coming to my daughters wedding in July. We have a goal to look great by then. Perhaps we will post a photo of us at the big event!!!! I look forward to getting to know you all. ML

janetksc

Hi, my name is Janet. I live in South Carolina, been married 28 years on Nov 19, and I just turned 49 yesterday. My goal it to get my weight under control when I have the dread "5-0" Birthday next November. I am the mother of 5 grown kids (33, 27, 25, 23, 21) and three grandkids (10, 3, 1). I want to be around for a long time with them and my husband. I have started with MFP around the middle of September. Joined a gym, got a personal trainer and off I went. The first month at the gym I lost 22 lbs and 15 inches. I am making my food journal a permanent daily goal. If I am going to be obsessed with something..I decided it should be "ME".

shunyata13

Hi ML and Janet, Good luck in achieving your goals. ML we will all look forward to the wedding pictures. Janet, you are so right in focusing on you right now. I always tell people that we can't take care of others if we are not in a good place ourselves.

samantha1953

Welcome Janet. Glad to have you along for the ride. 5-0 isn't so bad but a great goal to be your healthiest.

samantha1953

Hi ML! Looking for your first log in.

We're gonna have SO much fun at Toni's wedding. I want to be in the best shape and dance, dance, dance like we used to do all the time!!!

Everyone: ML and I have been friends for over 30 years!

Janice0711

I wish MFP had the "like" button like on Facebook! I would love to hit "like" on everyone's comments! HA! ;0)

daniran

Wow! My name is Danita. I just joined today. I feel like I've hit pay dirt! This is great! I'v been reading many of the post from all of the topices listed and I see several people like myself want to lose around 50lbs. I hope we can be an encouragement to each other and learn some new tricks along the way. I've really been struggling to lose the weight. And, have gotten discouraged too many times to count. I'm hanging in it to win it though! I have not given up yet. Just wish I knew what works.

shunyata13

Hi Danita, Good luck in loosing the weight you want .. Thsi is a nice group in that we are all around the same age with similar issues as to why we want to loos the weight. the MFP feedback on the food alone helped me change the choices I made with my foods and I don't miss what I ate a lot of before. I still eat it but just not a lot of it. If you want to ask any of us to be your friend for encouragement plase feel free to ask.

abooknerd

Hi, I just joined this group. I've been a member of mfp since spring but didn't do much with it. Now I'm giving it a much more serious try. I want to lose weight and get into shape... who doesn't? I'm a full-time mom of 3 kids, but soon to be an empty nester.. that is until they come home again! I'm a part-time librarian. I love to read and knit. Now I'm trying to add more activity into my life. I like hiking, biking, and swimming. I'm trying to use those activities to both get into shape and motivate me.. "see how much longer hike/bike/swim I can do now that I'm getting into shape". I'd like to join a biking or hiking group but at this stage I'd just slow them down so that's a goal, to join when I can keep up. I also like kayaking, but as I don't have one and it's winter that's a possible summer goal... get into shape and get a kayak??? Hopefully with support I can meet these goals and can in turn support others trying to meet their goals.

Patty21981

Hi, my name is Patty. I am 61. I joined MFP in October. I have enjoyed it so much and have lost 16 pounds so far. I am looking forward to being here in this group.

shunyata13

Welcome Patty, you will like this group. Good luck in reaching your goals.

imatex

Hi, I'm Carolyn and I live in Texas. I would like to join this group because I would like to have support from people that because of our age are experiencing some of the same things. I recently joined MFP because I felt it would give me motivation to daily log in my food and exercise. It also gives me the opportunity to encourage and be enouraged by others that are struggling with the same things.

I have 2 grown children and 4 grandchildren. I want to be around when the great-grandchildren are grown. The only way that I can do that is to get my health where it needs to be.

I work full time and just finished my doctorate. I have put everything on hold the last few years finishing that, so it is time to take my life back.

I look forward to getting to know everyone in this group.

amflautist

Hi, I'm Carolyn and I live in Texas. I would like to join this group because I would like to have support from people that because of our age are experiencing some of the same things. I recently joined MFP because I felt it would give me motivation to daily log in my food and exercise. It also gives me the opportunity to encourage and be enouraged by others that are struggling with the same things.

I have 2 grown children and 4 grandchildren. I want to be around when the great-grandchildren are grown. The only way that I can do that is to get my health where it needs to be.

I work full time and just finished my doctorate. I have put everything on hold the last few years finishing that, so it is time to take my life back.

I look forward to getting to know everyone in this group.

You just finished your doctorate! That's wonderful! Congratulations. What field? Do you have plans for using your education?

claireputput

HI all, I am relatively new to MFP-just been on the site a couple of weeks. Here is a little medical/physical history that is important to me. I am currently home off work due to an injury. I have put on about 45 pounds this year. I started out 2011 about 10 pounds over and then my thyroid got off track - I have taken meds since I was 28 due to a thyroid condition that started way back then. The hyper thyroid required chemo and burn out of the thyroid. I ultimately ended up with too much burn so on synthroid I went and have been ever since! Add that to a quit smoking-now nonsmoking me and another 5 pounds. Next, I was injured in an accident and the damage was on my c-spine and then no activity-10 more pounds.
Luckily, my thyroid is now where it needs to be-just got the results two weeks ago after increase upon increase of medication! Finally I am again able to do some walking for exercise-something I hadn't been able to do since October!
Bottom line, I have 50 plus pounds to be rid of and am anxious to get busy! I have so far lost 3 pounds. Just being on this site has increased my motivation and made me more accountable to myself.
I am happily married to a sweet man, my second husband-he is slender and has never had o deal with weight issues! I have an adorable one year old grandson that is the apple of my eye! He is awesome and the only little one that we have around-we have ten children-his 6 my 4. We have children literally all over the USA and one out of country. My occupation involves working with very disturbed teenagers in an enclosed facility. I think I have gone on long enough! I am excited to see how I will do this year using MFP!

shunyata13

Hi Claireputput, you are in the right group! We all have had various health issues and want to get back to where we were before them. Everyone here is very supportive of helping everyone reach their goals.

endowd

Glad to find this group. I'll be 50 in June. I really don't have a weight problem. Mine is more of a height problem. I'm only 5'1" tall, and I'm sure that my body was meant for someone 5'5", at least. Anybody else got that problem?

I live in Oregon in a very health-conscious, active community. There are a lot of very fit 50+ men and women where I live. I am determined to look more like one of them before my 50th birthday in June. I work a desk job and during the last two years I've become very lazy. So, in December I bought a treadmill and a bike trainer and I've been using them at least 4 days a week. I found MFP about two weeks ago and it has really helped me to understand how to allocate my meals better. I use the Android App during the day at work and my co-workers have become interested too. Does anyone else use the barcode scanner?


Created by MyFitnessPal.com - Free Calorie Counter

samantha1953

I use the bar code scanner. It makes entering food so easy. Welcome to our group. Sounds like you are ready to go!

jaabee11

Glad to find this group. I'll be 50 in June. I really don't have a weight problem. Mine is more of a height problem. I'm only 5'1" tall, and I'm sure that my body was meant for someone 5'5", at least. Anybody else got that problem?

I live in Oregon in a very health-conscious, active community. There are a lot of very fit 50+ men and women where I live. I am determined to look more like one of them before my 50th birthday in June. I work a desk job and during the last two years I've become very lazy. So, in December I bought a treadmill and a bike trainer and I've been using them at least 4 days a week. I found MFP about two weeks ago and it has really helped me to understand how to allocate my meals better. I use the Android App during the day at work and my co-workers have become interested too. Does anyone else use the barcode scanner?


Created by MyFitnessPal.com - Free Calorie Counter

Yep, I use the bar code scanner, it's fantastic. You do have to check what it says though because on a couple of occasions it did come up with the wrong product but generally I love it.
Welcome to the group.

Buddhasmiracle

Hello, I'm Jean. I'm 59 years old and recently retired from a full time career; although I will be doing part-time consulting work in the rail transportation industry in the upcoming year. My husband and best friend (66yrs old, and a Vietnam combat vet) and I recently moved from NJ to an island off of the coast of Charleston, SC. We will be married for 20 yrs this coming October. We enjoy remodeling our condo, the outdoors (biking, walking, and when we lived up North, cross-country skiing). We also enjoy reading immensely. He has a grown daughter and three grandchildren whom we miss very much since we re-located. Over the years i developed arthritis in my knees (played lots of sports throughout high school and college). I was diagnosed in 2000 with a rare cardiomyopathy, ARVD, and am part of a longitudinal study at Johns Hopkin University in Baltimore. I'm managing that very well; and overall enjoy good health.

I see this part of my journey as a tremendous opportunity to grow in health, and to continue growing intellectually, and spiritually.

I want to loose between 25-30lbs to stay fit a nd lessen the load on my joints. I read the posts of this group and felt more comfortable than with many of the other groups. Aside from the age factor, or maybe because of it, the discussions/posts here are helpful, positive, civil, and without rancor or being snarky.

There you have it.

Buddhasmiracle

Hi everyone, my name is Barbara and I just joined MFP yesterday. I just love the way it has helped me already. I am from CT, 59 and a massage therapist. I have gained about 50 pounds due to a car accident back in 2002. I had a huge sugar craving after the accident and gained weight from the cravings. I mean they were drug addict cravings! Cravings so bad I would go out at 1 am to get a fix if I could cravings! Over the years I got it under control for the most part and I needed surgery in 2010 to correct a rotator cuff tear that got worse since the accident. Now I am ready mentally and physically to get my body back to where it needs to be because when I look in the mirror I have my mother's body and she can have it back! I am married to a great guy and he is very supportive in all I choose to do and next year we celebrate 40 years together. I want to renew our vows at a Rennaisance Fair next Fall and I want to look good in one of those corslets when we do. Right now I am still healing from the surgery and an injury so I am still on the couch potato side but was able to take a 15 minute walk today while the weather was beautiful.

Where are you from in CT? I grew up in Old Saybrook.

Buddhasmiracle

Glad to find this group. I'll be 50 in June. I really don't have a weight problem. Mine is more of a height problem. I'm only 5'1" tall, and I'm sure that my body was meant for someone 5'5", at least. Anybody else got that problem?

I live in Oregon in a very health-conscious, active community. There are a lot of very fit 50+ men and women where I live. I am determined to look more like one of them before my 50th birthday in June. I work a desk job and during the last two years I've become very lazy. So, in December I bought a treadmill and a bike trainer and I've been using them at least 4 days a week. I found MFP about two weeks ago and it has really helped me to understand how to allocate my meals better. I use the Android App during the day at work and my co-workers have become interested too. Does anyone else use the barcode scanner?


Created by MyFitnessPal.com - Free Calorie Counter

I'm 4'11". My husband wants to put one of those little orange flags on a pole on me when we are in dept stores

petiteloriwithin

Thank you for starting this group, Samantha, and hello to all in this group! I turned 50 last year and find myself in shock, not that I need to lose weight... of course I know how that happened, but at HOW MUCH weight I have to lose (90 lbs!). I am raising my grandson and now see that there will not be some "magic time and place" that will happen in my life where I can recover, renew and make better choices.... That time is NOW, no matter how busy, or the worries/struggles that remain. Life is short and I want to enjoy every minute of it that I can. I would enjoy supporting any "friends" from this group who can relate.

Buddhasmiracle

Welcome to this group. You'll have friends here on your journey and for support.

lewisbd2006

I definitely need the help! I am 52 and a stay-at-home mom with one who is 11..I lost a lot of weight after I had my last kid at age 40, but it has gradually seemed to come back on again. Any suggestions anyone has would be nice. I just can't seem to lose it..how do I get that ticker to go on my profile.. Thanks!

jaabee11

Hi, nice to meet you.
You've come to the right place.
I've sent you a friend request.

I definitely need the help! I am 52 and a stay-at-home mom with one who is 11..I lost a lot of weight after I had my last kid at age 40, but it has gradually seemed to come back on again. Any suggestions anyone has would be nice. I just can't seem to lose it..how do I get that ticker to go on my profile.. Thanks!

takehomepay

Hi All, I did LoseIt! on my smart phone for a couple of years but MFP has it all over LosIt!. So much better in many ways. I joined .... I think the 6th of this month and am down over 5# already. I've met some great people here already and I'm determined to log in every day. I am doing this for my health. I need to get weight off for the sake of my heart and my knees.