Welcome! Introduce Yourself

Tall_E

I was inspired by a post by Charanne52 to start this group. So many people in their fifties and sixties responded so quickly to her request for friends around her age that it seems like a lot of us baby boomers would like peers for MFP buddies. I created this group to give us a place to find each other and discuss the issues special to us so we'll have another tool and encouragement for getting and staying in better shape and better health.

I am 59 years old and will be 60 in November. These days I look in the mirror and wonder what I will see in a few years because I'm noticing signs of aging that, somehow, didn't seem to be there not too long ago. I am grateful for the vitality and health I still have and am determined to do everything I can to make the most of it. At the same time, I'm juggling Fibromyalgia, an extra 35 pounds, and a busy life which includes famliy and a full time job. I'm excited to have found MFP! It's already helped me get focused and lose ten pounds though most of my friends here are a lot younger than I am and I sometimes have to remind myself that my body is a lot different than theirs now so I don't compare myself negatively.

I look forward to 'meeting' you!

PeggyWoodson

Oh I'm so happy you did this.

I'm Peggy. born in 1949, I'm 63. Life has been quite a journey. I was always a big girl. I tried every diet there was out there time and again. Couldn't lose the weight. I became a type 2 diabetic in my thirty's but never could get my blood sugar below 300. I gained weight on the diabetic diet. Finally in 1994, I was faced with the decision to have gastric bypass to loose weight or continue on my path and possibly lose both feet because of the diabetic neuropathy I had developed. I chose bypass. I weighed 330 at the time I had my surgery. Within a month, I was no longer diabetic. And two years later I weighed 112 lbs. My surgeon had told me he wanted me to weigh 160 and that at first my weight would drop way lower than that and then would stabilize out to 160. That was exactly as he said it would be. I weighed my safe 160 for over 15 years. Then last year, I broke my wrist and the combination of eating from stress and the medications I was on, I gained 35 lbs. So here I am trying to loose it. My weight has been so difficult to loose. I loose two and gain three and loose one and gain two and loose and loose two and am having a hard time getting it to let go of the weight. This morning I showed a three pound loss and was very encouraged. I am full of positive energy and just as full of motivation and have motivation to share if you need some. I am going to do this.

I know,,, long story,,, But I'm so glad to be here and thankful for this group. Thanks for opening it. I will friend anyone who sends me a request. Bring them on.

debabebai

Thanks E for starting this group. My name is Deb and I will be 60 in May. I remember a neighbor telling my mom that I would lose “that baby fat” when I went through puberty; I think I still have some of “that baby fat.” I am excited to have found MFP and to have others that I can relate to, encourage and be encouraged by as we change our bodies physically and mentally. I was very happy when I retired two years ago and had planned to enjoy my grandchildren and life in general. But physically that wasn’t happening as I had envisioned. When I stepped on the scales at the dr. office in March reality hit. I found MFP and I am off to a good start but, I know that for this attempt at weight loss to be different from other times, I have to take the time to take care of myself and that will include being more intentional about finding time to exercise as well as meal planning, grocery shopping and having healthier grab and go foods in the house. As I examine my beliefs and habits concerning my food choices, I am determined to make positive changes towards a healthier me and enjoy a more active life. After all I'm not a kid anymore.

PeggyWoodson

Why isn't there a like button?

Reddak98

Why isn't there a like button?

I made my own. Don't know if this will work or not but here goes.........

PeggyWoodson

Why isn't there a like button?

I made my own. Don't know if this will work or not but here goes.........

Like like like like. Darn, it doesn't work either. Don't you just love this site?

Reddak98

Hey I am here. Been having weight issues since I was in my thirties. I always thought I would get around to doing something about it but never did it. Add that to the fact that I have been making a living working on concrete floors for the past forty years and it adds up to a lot of joint trouble, especially my knees. I also am concerned with becoming a diabetic. My parents both were / are. I saw a dietician locally and she told me about MFP. I am motivated to do this and it will be easier with a support network. I got off to a slow start but think I am making progress now. So, let's get on with it!
Rick

Tall_E

Why isn't there a like button?

I made my own. Don't know if this will work or not but here goes.........

Like like like like. Darn, it doesn't work either. Don't you just love this site?

I'm new to how the group tools work so I'll check out how to add a Like Button. If anyone knows feel free to fill me in.

charanne52

This has been an exciting day for me. I was totally overwhelmed by the number of responses I got from my post looking for buddies from my generation. MindfulLiving was the first to answer me and for a while it looked like she was going to be my only friend then suddenly the floodgates opened up. I am ever so grateful to have found so many new friends to help me on this journey which I know will be easier because of you all. I never had weight issues when I was younger. I was a single mom who used to have to walk a dozen blocks after work with my child bring him home from daycare. As I became more afflluent, I started sending cabs to pick him up and that coupled with my sedentary office job added 30 pounds in no time flat. Suddenly I was having trouble getting my skirts to zip up and joined a noon time Weight Watchers with some co-workers and took the weight back off. I also split an exercise class at the YWCA with one of my co-workers and losing weight wasn't hard to do. Almost 5 years ago, I quit smoking and the same thing happened only this time I didn't have a job so didn't really care about work clothes but I did care about rewarding myself for not smoking. Well, it's time to start rewarding myself in a more positive way and when one of my quit buddies from QuitNow.com suggested I try this site I started to think about it but I kept putting it off but now I am here and determined to get completely healthy. I am really happy to be a part of this group because I think we baby boomers face different challenges than the younger generations.

PeggyWoodson

Why isn't there a like button?

I made my own. Don't know if this will work or not but here goes.........

Like like like like. Darn, it doesn't work either. Don't you just love this site?

I'm new to how the group tools work so I'll check out how to add a Like Button. If anyone knows feel free to fill me in.

to my knowledge, there really is no like button. People have been asking for one but they haven't added that feature to this site yet.

Glad you are with us in the group. Yes we can all do this together. Positive motivation goes a long way here.

Reddak98

Why isn't there a like button?

I made my own. Don't know if this will work or not but here goes.........

Like like like like. Darn, it doesn't work either. Don't you just love this site?

I'm new to how the group tools work so I'll check out how to add a Like Button. If anyone knows feel free to fill me in.

to my knowledge, there really is no like button. People have been asking for one but they haven't added that feature to this site yet.

Glad you are with us in the group. Yes we can all do this together. Positive motivation goes a long way here.

That image is just an image I googled up, resized and added to my post. Nothing more.

Ninabe150

Glad to have found this post. I was born in 1949 and am 62. Trust me, I see changes in my face everyday I look into a mirror. Even my hands and legs are starting to look like my moms slowly. My dad was in the Navy and is 85 and my mom is 80. I am very blessed to still have them.

I live on my dh's family farm and we have over 50 acres. We have a 5th wheel and are presently parked at a casino RV Park for our 42nd wedding anniversary which is the 25th. We have a son who has a daughter(9) and a new son(2 months). Our daughter has one daughter(10) so we are so blessed to have three precious grandkids. Will be looking forward to coming here and making NEW BABY BOOMER FRIENDS! :bigsmile:

MindfulLiving

Good morning all,
I'm MindfulLiving AKA Pat. I'm 64 the oldest of 6 girls...My poor dad rest his soul...I'm retired from nursing, in June it will be two years. I live in the Pacific Northwest.... between Seattle and Tacoma Washington, I moved here in 1992 after my divorce, I love the water, the green and just the whole picture. I have 3 grown children in Michigan and 6 grand children and 2 great grandchildren. I plan to move back to the Midwest this fall to be near my family. I go back for a yearly visit, but this time it will be for good.

I've been chunky for most of my adult life, I got a divorce after a 26 year marriage and that's when the real extra weight started coming on. Hitting 230 while I was in nursing school, but my job always kept me up and moving working with adults special needs population. At age 60 I made a job change to work at the Assisted Living Community, it wasn't until I took that office job, Director of Nursing that I put on my Extra Extra Weight. Yes, I sat on my duff for 10 out of the 12 hours I was there and there was a never ending of goodies the staff would bring in, I didn't have to go far to get, my office was right beside the staff lounge.
We even joked about cutting a hole in my wall as a pass through..... I'm so ashamed of my weight. I of all people should have know better, being a nurse. well, now I do know better and it's a real struggle to keep pushing forward to make it happen for me. I eat out of boredom, happiness, sadness and mostly because it's there. I don't say no to myself, even when I know I should. I hope writing down everything I eat so I can see and so can all of you... I have an open food and exercise diary to help me keep honest. I try not to eat back my exercise calories, but sometimes I do. I love bread of all kinds, so my carb intake is a challenge. There that's me in a nut shell....

Jupitermermaid

Hi everyone. I'm 60, and have been on MFP for almost 5 months. I've found a lot of help and encouragement from people here. It's nice to see a group of peers my own age, however, as we do seem to have a harder and slower time to reach our milestones. Thanks for putting this together!

lynne_p

Thank you for starting this group. I was born in 1956 and I need to lose about 80 pounds. I am really ashamed of how big I have gotten. I used to be extremely active, was a nationally-trained athlete in my teens, and have worked around horses and dogs for years. In 2006 I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer, underwent two surgeries, and now the cancer has moved into my lungs. I am now putting on more weight because of the medication I need to take. I am at my all-time high right now. I have been here for 2 years but have struggled ever since the first day. It's now at the point where my 88-year-old mother is telling me I'm going to have a heart attack. She doesn't know about the cancer or about the medication. I didn't feel there was any need to upset her. I am not, as yet, terminal and I don't intend to be. Would love to have some friends around my own age. It's a different ballgame when you get to our age -- the weight doesn't come off as easily. Please friend me if you feel I might be able to encourage you on your journey.

Ke22yB

Hi
I am Ken I am 64 years young I topped out at 60 yeas of age at 366 pounds actually the oldest and heaviest. I am now about 225 I feel years younger now and will be around 170 for the next Bday I jokingly told my brother I would be 65 at 65 or 165 pounds now I am not so sure I was joking we will see

charanne52

One of my friends can't seem to connect to this group so I am posting this comment hoping she will be able to get here from our news link.

Charanne

PeggyWoodson

Thank you for starting this group. I was born in 1956 and I need to lose about 80 pounds. I am really ashamed of how big I have gotten. I used to be extremely active, was a nationally-trained athlete in my teens, and have worked around horses and dogs for years. In 2006 I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer, underwent two surgeries, and now the cancer has moved into my lungs. I am now putting on more weight because of the medication I need to take. I am at my all-time high right now. I have been here for 2 years but have struggled ever since the first day. It's now at the point where my 88-year-old mother is telling me I'm going to have a heart attack. She doesn't know about the cancer or about the medication. I didn't feel there was any need to upset her. I am not, as yet, terminal and I don't intend to be. Would love to have some friends around my own age. It's a different ballgame when you get to our age -- the weight doesn't come off as easily. Please friend me if you feel I might be able to encourage you on your journey.

glad to have you in our group. I'm sure you will inspire many here. And some of us might inspire you. that is what it is all about. Friend me if you would like to. Happy to meet you.

FishingFan123

Hi,

I just joined today & very happy to find a group of people my age.

I'm 54, was thin, but gained 100# in grad school. Then lost it over 2 years (once I was out of that stress). Kept it off for 9 years, but then at age 44, my right hip became very painful, to the point I couldn't walk. I was told I had congenital hip dysplasia, but was too young for a hip replacement. I couldn't work (I couldn't stand for more than 5 minutes), & ended up in a wheelchair for 7 years. Needless to say, the weight piled on again (from inactivity, as well as situational depression). I'm a good 70# overweight again. However, I finally got surgery (a hip resurfacing, that at the time was a new surgery).

I've tried to lose on my own but never get more than 20# off. My husband is skinny & eats like a horse, so he doesn't understand. And, I don't have any family anymore (my mom was pretty old when she had me).

Tall said: "I also look around me and see so many people our ages who have clearly given up on being physically fit. They've resigned themselves to 'growing old' and having growing health problems and rely on medicine but won't make the lifestyle changes that would make the bigger difference."

This is so true. I've always liked to be outdoors (walk, hike bicycle, ride horses), but I can't find anyone my age to do this anymore. I tried meetup.com & went bicycle riding with a group that said it was "casual & slow", but they all were 35 years old & younger, & went pretty darn fast - 15 MPH & more. For me, slow on a bicycle means what I can do which is 10-12 MPH (which I don't think is too shabby at this point, given my weight/ age/ & prior health problems which resulted in a lot of de-conditioning).

I've looked all over the internet (for years) to find a group of people my age (just plain jane people) who want to just get started walking or bicycle riding, but to no avail. When I search for things like this I am getting AARP showing a very old woman wearing a bonnet (with flowers in it), in a dress, with a cute wicker basket, straddling a big old girls fat tire bike & the woman (& the bicycle) looks like they couldn't go 20 feet. Stereotypes of people over 50!

So I've been exercising on my own, but yes, its lonely. So I'm really glad I have you all! My story

PeggyWoodson

One thing that I am sure is helping me is that I bought a Leslie Sansone Walk with me DVD to exercise with. It is very low impact aerobics and something I can definitely do. If you can walk or march in place, sidestep, light low kicks and some knee lifts I would suggest it for anyone needing low impact aerobics. It is about a 30 minute workout and I am enjoying the benefits. I do it every day and am getting ready to up that to twice a day.

Tall_E

I, too, am a cancer survivor and am now working around having Fibromyalgia. It seems to me that all of us made it this far because we've overcome many things in life and that's a sign of our individual strength. We naturally have some scars and 'extra weight' to carry because of what we've lived but, as we're proving here, we haven't stopped trying to live life to the fullest...I'm proud to be in your company and I know together our strength will be even greater so we can reach our goals.

Some 'food' for thought: I'm guessing is that most of us are exhausted. I know my illness makes me very tired but I also think that many of us have spent decades working, raising families, holding up a lot of responsibilities, dealing with illness, abusing our bodies, etc. so I bet that most of us need to catch up on rest. And lack of sleep will raise hormone levels that will make it hard to lose weight.