Introducing Myself/Lost 15+ lbs.

Athena53

I've posted a few times on my frustrations with my FT7 heart rate montor (currently it's behaving) but decided it's time to do a little more.

I've always been active, but what really changed my life was getting into a job at the age of 50 in a company that participated in a local corporate athletic competition. Me, the gym-class loser? Yeah, me. When they found out I could run a mile without stopping, ride a bicycle, swim 200 meters and complete a 5K run (on different days!), I was suddenly very popular because of the points to be gained in that age group even if I just managed to complete the events. At 55 I was talked into a sprint triathlon (1/3 mile swim, 9 miles on the bike, 3K walk/run) and found it was a really good event for me- tested my limits without making me feel like I was gonna die.

At some point I started experimenting with eating almost nothing but fruits and vegetables 2 days a week (plus some Greek yogurt at night so I didn't wake up hungry). The results weren't immediate but I kept it up because it somehow felt right. Over 2 years I've lost 15 lbs. and kept them off. It helped that I joined another company that gives us wellness rebates, and I started using the FT7 to track and record my workouts.

So, for "women of a certain age"- you can do it! I'm an ordinary person with only mediocre gross motor skills, and I hold down a full-time job and some volunteer activities, but I put a high priority on fitness, and it pays off.