Hello mainers:) my name is Jessy. I live in steep falls but am originally from Frenchville. I love living in Maine and
I truly enjoy each season. Since I decided to stop ignoring the fact that I am fat I have learned how to take advantage of nature and use it as a free and fun workout. I started my journey in May of 2012. This was right before my daughter turned two. I want to be a healthy and energetic mother. I want her to grow up watching her mom eat right and be active with the hope that it will be second nature to her. We enjoy walking, hiking, fishing and camping. Last winter I went snowshoeing for the first time and loved it. My pit bull zella and I went on many adventures through the snow and we will do it again this winter. So far this year I have climbed four local mountains. That is my favorite thing to do. I have also done two 5ks and have two more planned.
Please friend request me if u want I would love to talk to other healthy mainers. Maybe you could teach me about other ways to enjoy this great state.

Hey I'm Denise from No Waterboro. I grew up in Massachusetts, but Maine was my second home ... spent all of my childhood summers on Long Lake, in Bridgton where my mom still lives. Came to Maine after marrying and living in Corpus Christi, Texas for 7 years first. I've been here 23 years.

Thanks Kristen for this invitation!
It looks like I'm the old lady of the group so far. I have 2 kids, my son (28) and one of Kristen's closest friends .... and my daughter (24 today!).

My story: In March of 2012, through the persuassion of my daughter, I watched the documentary "Forks Over Knives". It was eye opening and life changing. The very next day I stopped eating red meat and started eating healthier, leaning toward a plant based diet. I was also turning 59 in a matter of days and wanted to be feeling much better by my 60th the next year.
Over the years I have lost weight several times and gained it back again. My weight then was 179.9. I am now 139.0 at last check. I've been wavering between 138-142 right now. But I'm FINE with that. I was 132 before giving birth to my 2 (now adult) kids so I'll take it!! This past March 22nd, I turned 60 and I am healthier than I've been in several years. I was on Lipitor for high cholesterol for 7+ years and NOW no longer on it!! My doctor said "For a 60 yr old woman you are in damned good shape, so whatever you're doing, keep doing it." When I explained, she was totally for it.
I am not TOTALLY plant based yet but trying. I still love chicken and fish and not sure if I can give those up. BUT otherwise I am doing all the rest. I avoid dairy, drink almond milk with my cereal or coffee, no red meat and don't miss it. I eat only whole grains, no fried food - EVAH, no high fructose corn syrup, definitely eat more fruit and veggies than I have in way too long, and more. As I ran out of items, I replaced them with healthier versions.
AND I am FAITHFUL with my daily log in to my food diary (ask Kristen!), now over 400+ days in a row. I was always faithful with keeping track of my Weight Watchers points in the past (been several years) . So I was always good about tracking, with whatever I was trying at the time. The difference now is that the calories I am faithfully tracking now are MUCH healthier than the food I tracked in the past!
ALL OF THIS is much easier than anything I've done before. If you have the opportunity, I suggest you watch that documentary. It changed my life for the better. Good Luck to all of you!

Thanks so much!! We've worked towards this for a long time, and it's exciting to see how close we are to opening. We haven't made it to Woodland Valley yet, but we've heard great things about the course & the owners, so hopefully we'll get there someday soon.