Age 53 and 56 lbs. lighter in one year!

Wow…a whole year of MFP! Time sure flies when you’re determined! OK, so what can I say that will inspire the masses? Let me start by giving you a little background…

A year ago today, I was a 53 year old happily married wife and mom of 3, standing 5’3” tall, and weighing in at a whopping 225 lbs. I had my last child at age 40 and never lost the weight I had gained with that pregnancy. I never weighed myself in 13 years. The scale scared me. I was in total denial. I hated having my picture taken, and I rarely went out in public unless I absolutely had to because I was so ashamed of my body. I tried not to look at myself in a full-length mirror. And I insisted on making love with the lights OFF!

Being a full-time freelance writer and author, I spent a lot of time sitting at my computer. Exercise schmexercise – I was the human sloth and lovin’ every minute of it. I had the energy of a rock and was tired all the time. Naps were a twice-daily necessity. Food was my friend and my comfort, and we had a marvelous emotional affair for many years. Then one day, my doctor told me I was borderline diabetic, my cholesterol was through the roof, and my blood pressure was so high, she thought I would die on the examination room table! That was the day I started MFP. I thought my age would be my downfall. After all, what middle aged woman had ever lost a significant amount of weight? None that *I* had ever heard of! Then I read hundreds of success stories right here on MFP, and I was inspired.

My first week of MFP was a real eye-opener. I cannot believe how many calories I had been consuming every day! Logging every bite I put in my mouth taught me that I needed to learn portion control. Then I learned that exercise would kickstart my metabolism. Are you kidding me? Walking to the mailbox left me wheezing and gasping for breath, nevermind my “linebacker knees” that were both damaged years ago, then arthritis moved in as I got older. So I started slow. I got a used recumbent bike at a garage sale and nearly passed out doing 15 minutes per day on it. But I persevered.

I was miserable and hungry alllll the time....and since misery loves company, I decided to add some MFP “pals” with whom I could commiserate. But no, my pals were not the pity party type – they were drill sergeants who never let me complain, encouraged me every day, and gave me fabulous advice and information. Without them, I would not have lasted very long on MFP!

I stared out at 1,200 calories per day, and increased that to 1,350 after about 3 mos. when I added a treadmill to my daily exercise regimen. I learned then that weight loss is NOT linear – I gained that week, but eventually, my metabolism adjusted and the weight started coming off again. Eating 150 more calories a day was like sweet manna from heaven. I was no longer starving all the time!

I added more and more “pals” along the way, and each one contributed to my success in their own unique way. Best of all, I learned that dieting could be FUN, and my pals were certainly positive influences in that respect. Now I have 71 “pals” whom I consider my closest friends. These are real people who share not only my weight loss my journey but also my personal life, and I am humbled by and grateful for each and every one of them. I tear up as I write this, because I have never in my life felt as close to anyone as I do to my “MFPeeps”.

A year later, I have lost 56 lbs. I now weigh 169.5 lbs and can finally wear clothing off the rack! I can walk and bike for miles without running out of breath. My knees, though still damaged, are less sore because they no longer have to support my former obesity. I have the energy of a 12 year old, and I don’t sit still for very long. I feel 20 years younger, and some people say I look it, too. *blush* I started to enjoy life again, not just struggle to survive it every day. And I am now making love to my wonderful and marvelously supportive husband with the lights ON! LOL

In June of this year, I hit a major plateau with which I still struggle, and I still have about 30 lbs. left before I hit my goal. But I am confident that I will make it. With the support and love of my MFPeeps, how could I not succeed? I am “in it to win it”…one day at a time. After all, I have my whole life ahead of me, and I want it to be a long, fun, healthy one! If this middle aged former sloth can do it, ANYone can!


I truly suck at posting pics, so I hope these turn out OK...

This is me in 2007 with my gorgeous daughter at her university graduation...




...and this is me now (sorry, I do not do "selfies" very well!)...