New to Making Friends on MFP

mrsfoster102613

Good morning y'all,

I've been using MFP for a little while now, but I only recently started exploring the message boards and looking at posts by other users. I'd like to make some MFP friends that I can provide support for and vice versa. It would be especially great to make some friends whom share the same approach to food as I do (the less processed the better, even if the calories are a little higher than you’d like to eat in a day), but I’m open to being friends with anyone!

A little about me and my approach to all of this:

Growing up, I was naturally thin and never had to diet or make a point of working out to stay in shape. I’m not saying this to brag, (being naturally thin isn’t anything to brag about) but it is to give you an idea of where I’m coming from. Once 24 rolled around, the weight slowly but surely started packing on. Before I knew it, I was weighing in at almost 150 pounds last fall. I’m 5’7, so it’s not as if I looked obese or even particularly overweight, but I had never dreamed I’d be that heavy.

A friend recommended I read a book called, “The Raw Food Detox Diet” by Natalia Rose (which I highly suggest everyone read) upon hearing how disappointed I was in my weight and overall health. The book definitely convinced me to make some life changes.

Though I am absolutely not a 100% raw foodist (and have no plans to commit to that level at this time), I do eat a lot more raw foods and with increased frequency. Monday through Friday I often keep “raw until dinner,” and then dinner typically consists of a homemade vegetarian meal. On the weekends, I will usually eat two or three meals that include meat or seafood, but I still eat a good amount of fresh veggies and fruits and drink my “green lemonade.” I also try very hard to avoid pre-packaged food the majority of the time, as I truly believe our bodies don’t recognize nor properly break down preservatives, additives etc. Just from changing my eating habits I lost about 15-18 pounds in a little over two months.

In the past month, I’ve started being more active. I was coming from a place of not working out at all and I have a bad knee (surgery when I was 15), so I’ve really had to take my time and work my way up. I walk/jog, do Zumba and Soba work-out videos, light-weight lifting (typically five-pound weights) etc.

All together I’ve lost 20-22 pounds since I’ve started eating healthier and working out. I’m definitely seeing some muscle tone, and I’m pretty excited about that.

If you’d like to be MFP friends and work together to not only lose weight but become healthier for life, please feel free to add me.

~Andrea