Hi, I'm Jenni. I'm 33 (almost 34 yikes!), no kids, 2 dogs (a pit bull I'm fostering and a greater swiss mtn dog), lover of all animals, vegetarian, atheist, and finally, after 33 years getting serious about eating healthy. Yes, I am a fat vegetarian! Anyway, I am super excited that I've lost weight already just eating a normal amount of calories per day (I had no idea I was eating so many!) and making sure that the stuff I eat is clean, fresh, and organic! I feel awesome so far, so i hope I can keep it up.

I was raised Catholic but never felt right. I knew I never believed in god from the time I was young. I was more embarrassed that people believed and celebrated and I felt super embarrassed being forced to do it. Trust me, my confirmation pictures are me in a hideous flowery dress with a horrified look on my face! Anyway, after lots and lots of thought and research I finally let go of "god" as a young adult and it was like this huge weight and depression was lifted off of me. Since I came out as an atheist a few of my cousins and my brother and sister have followed suit. I think they were all just afraid to say they didn't believe either until I did it. My family is still trying to "save" me, but whatever, they pray for me and send me god emails constantly. I just laugh. I mean really, it's comedic this fairytale!

Hi, everyone. I'm Colleen, 27 years old, raised in a non-religious household and still keep that tradition going.

Glad to find this group!

Hello to all the ladies and I think 1 guy I saw post on this thread, lol. I'm 22 years old and was glad I could find some educated like minded individuals. Luckily for me I'm in great shape and only have to use this website and the phone application as a means to keep track of my calories and macronutrients. I do amateur bodybuilding and have been educating myself on nutrition for atleast 6 years now. I find it hilarious all the misinformation that's being spread around on this site, as well as all the the Christians on this site who use science to back up their claims but won't consider science when it comes to their religion. I'm currently going to college for my major of "Fire Science Technology", yes that exists lol, with the plans of becoming a fire fighter in the near future. Right now as an EMT student my days are spent either in the gym or working hours on the ambulance or in the nearby hospital.

I think I've rambled enough now, feel free to ask me any questions.

Hi there all! My name is Devon. I'm certainly glad I found this group, because searching through the message board it seems that the majority of people here believe in god. Not that gender norms have anything to do with belief systems, I'm personally annoyed at all of the "Men, what do you think" "Women, blah blah blah". We're all people, not all of us believe the same things especially simply based on our gender. How annoying!

I'm 22 years old, and I've been an atheist for about 5 years now. I was raised in a conservative Christian household, and my family is still very religious. My twin brother is studying (one book only, I might add) to be a preacher. My entire family all seems to conform to that way of thinking, even when they act completely against their own beliefs. I guess I just don't get it. Me being gay is what kick started my deconversion from a Christian to an atheist, as my family sent me to ex-gay camps and counseling. When I realized I wasn't going to change, and didn't want to, I start questioning my beliefs.

I just started Insanity last week and am now on week 2. I've never been proud of my body and I just feel that it's time to change all that. I love the sense of community here!

Hello! I'm 36 and live in Tennessee. I am using MFP to track fitness and eating habits. I try and follow the principles of intuiting eating and strive to be healthy rather than thin.

Just wanted to say "Hi"! Been on MFP for a while now. Trying to bring myself to exercise more.

Hey AoMFP, I'm Futurenaut and I recently joined MFP to lose 60 lbs and change my lifestyle. I've tried a lot of the programs out there but really appreciate the combination of good UI, social features and integration with my FitBit. I'm looking to add some new friends on here so please feel free to add me (just put in the message how you found me so I know where you came from).

I'm an ex, very overweight ncaa athlete using fitbit, myfitnesspal and a yoga/kettle bell/running (c25k shoutout!) routine to get back in shape. I'm trying to cut back on my calorie intake and portion sizes though it's been hard for me as I've spent almost my entire life eating thousands of calories a day to balance the immense burn of the competition level. Now that I'm 26 though and five years post-sports hiatus, it's time to get serious about making the best out of this precious life opportunity. Afterall, "to live at all is miracle enough."

Also, congrats to Curiosity and the teams behind that beautiful rover. An inspiring moment for sure.

Hi! I've been on MFP since April 2012 and am really trying to change all of my eating habits. I have lots of good days and some "bad" days! I don't record my exercise, so most of my days look bad! I wish that praying would help me! Ha.

I live near Atlanta in Ga and am so lucky to live on a freethinking street here in the deep south. I'm raising my kids to be Freethinkers which isn't very difficult to do. Lucky for me, my friend Dale McGowan also lives in GA. You atheists who like a real intellectual and great read, here's a link to Dale's blog: The Meming of Life. http://parentingbeyondbelief.com/blog/

My other groups are tennis junkies and stay at home moms. But I think this atheist community could be the best. I love people who think!

Hi everyone.
I'm a 35 year old secondary school teacher in the UK.
I've lost a total of 5 stone all together over the last 6 years with 2 of those being on MFP.
I've put some back on but am looking to sort that out this summer.

I'm glad to have found this group!!

Hi Everyone, I am not trying to lose weight. Just working on being fit and healthy. I am a dancer. And I'm also lifting weights and generally very active. I was raised in a "spiritual" family (the concepts were often changing). It sure would be nice if there was a God or a meaning and purpose behind everything, but growing up I saw that spirituality often was just used as a way to avoid feelings and difficulties and resulted in a lack of compassion, and could be harmful in a lot of ways. I have always had an interest in science. I minored in Biology and married a physicist. Over time I realized that I can meditate and do yoga and enjoy nature and connect with people and obtain all the benefits of "spirituality" without the lack of compassion to the suffering in the world and without having to be in denial or be perfect or whatever (I can be an atheist). I am an avid reader and learner. There are many different authors that give Ted talks as well that I like a lot. And I like the book "Raising Freethinkers" by Dale McGowan, and also his videos and blog. I feel like I could explain this all better, but this will have to do. I don't feel the need to put down religions (as people sometimes stereotype about). But, do like to continue to grow and learn and to talk and meet like minded people. Of course I don't appreciate the judgement towards atheists, saying we will go to hell or not liking us without even giving us a chance. It is sad that people can determine a person's character just because they don't believe in God, without even understanding why a person does not believe in God. This is not something a person usually arrives at lightly, there is usually a history and a journey. Morality is not dependent on believing in God. We value people and life. Whether we believe or don't believe, we are just people trying to make it through life in the best way possible. I do often try to view religion as being like politics, it's not something I discuss with everyone and that allows for many friendships to flourish regardless of religion.

I am Jane, I'm 47 and live in Bradford, West Yorkshire. Although I am an Atheist I belive I am still obliged to call Yorkshire God's Own Country (its contractual or something ). I got married in a Humanist ceremony 10 years ago and have recently joined the Atheist & Humanist group at the University where I work.

I lost about 15 kilos in 2010 but spent most of last year having treatment for breast cancer. That put me off exersize for a while but I didn't gain too much weight back during chemo (luckily I had a fairly easy time of it so was able to carry on with work and walking). I now run (but not very fast) and take part in my local Parkrun most weeks. I joined mfp just to make sure I keep track as it is sooo easy to give in to crisps....

Jane

Hi everyone,

I'm Rosa from the Netherlands.
I've been yoyoing all my life and the last year or so there is more of me than I like. About 20 pounds more than I like, to tell the truth.
I can't seem to shake it, so I decided to join here. i'm hoping this will help me stabilizing my eating pattern and gym schedule, as the last two months both have been wildly erratic.

Feel free to add me to your friends, I will appreciate all the help I can get to whip myself back into shape.

Howdy! I'm an out atheist for a few years now, and a happily partnered out lesbian as well. Going back to school to study Neurobiology, and school starts next week!

As I ponder this really being our only life, and our only expression of us, it makes me realize how being morbidly obese makes me miss out on so many cool things in this world. I'm beginning to not be ok with that anymore.

So I'm back on here and back at it. If I fall then I try again. A thousand smalls steps gets you further than three really big ones.

Nice to meet you all!
Jill

I was a Weight Watcher for a very long time and found that the new program wasn't working out, so I'm here getting back to basics! Since I started my weight loss journey I've lost 71 pounds and want to get down to a healthier weight!

I'm 29, married, no kids, a community college professor and part time paralegal. I had the extreme good fortune to grow up in a secular household and marry another atheist. I'm so glad that I've found this group!

I live in Austin, TX, and despite being raised on religion have pretty much been an atheist all my life. I rarely discuss religion with people. I've had a couple of people ask me this question when they find out I'm an atheist: "What keeps your from just killing people?"

I usually say, "Just because I'm an atheist doesn't mean I don't like living in a civilized society."
Or, "Is your religion the only thing that keeps YOU from killing people."
Or, if I'm in a mood, "What makes you think I don't?"