One Year MFP Anniversary

So, one year ago today, I joined MFP. I had just turned 50 years old and was at least 30 pounds overweight. As others have stated something inside just snapped and I said "enough". I started walking 30 minutes per day, 5 days per week and figured as long as I did even just that- it was better than what I had been doing, which was nothing. Shortly I started increasing length of walks and amounts of hills. Then I added bike riding. After about 6 months I noticed that no matter how fast I walked or even how steep the hills were I rarely got winded - so I started jogging. I used MFP religiously to log what I ate and when/how much I exercised. I read everyones comments both positive and negative and kept at it,

My original goal was to lose 25 pounds from Sept 15 07 to Dec 27, 07 when I was going to visit my sister in Europe. I missed that one by one pound - but got on the plane having lost 24 pounds and while very proud of myself, was somewhat worried about how much I would gain on vacation. Had a great time over New Years, ate, drank and did not excerise for 9 days. When I got back, was terrifed to get on the scale and waited a few days for the bad news I knew was to come, Got ont he scale to find that I had not gained an ounce! Since I had been exercizing consistently for over 3 months at that point my metabolism had improved enoug to handle it.

From the start, I had told myself that once I had met my goal weight and kept it for several months I would do a" What Not to Wear" thing for myself and go on a blow out shopping spree. A funny thing happened in April 2008, when I had just a pound or two to go to meet my goal weight and I decided that I had to finally add weight/strength training to my workouts. I had previously done all cardio ( running and biking) as I absolutley hated doing weights/gym workouts. Due to everything I had read on MFP I finally broke down. I didnt have the motivation to go on my own, so I went to a personal trainer instead of spending a ton of money on clothes. That was the best money I have ever spent in my life.

Anyway, today, I do some kind of exercise 6 days per week for approx 1 1/2 hours per day and feel very weird when I miss ( which isnt often). I dont worry about"cheating", I eat what I want however what I want is very different than what is was a year ago. I dont use any excuses for missing workouts. I go when " I'm too tired", "I'm too hungover", "I have too much to do". Thats the only way it will work.


I never posted a before picture on MFP, but I have one on my profile. It is from late August 2007 at the Statue of Liberty ( as you can tell by the giant foot). The other two are from about a month ago and my current profile pic is from today right after the gym.

Sorry to ramble so much - just want to let everyone know ( especially you ladies over 40 or 50) that you guys can do it!! You may have to work your butt off ( like me - I LOVE Food!) - but it can be done.

Love you MFPer's

Laura

Wow, again thank to all for the kind words. As far as not looking 51 - check out the sun damage on my chest (eeeww - bad sun, bad sun!-) that comes from being a California girl. The lines on my face reflect my age, but I have earned everyone of them!!