2015 Adopt a Noob Official MFP Thread

I can mentor 1-2 people. I have insulin resistance and a long history of binge eating. I am addressing both through a moderately low carb diet and moderately high fat and protein diet. I try to maintain as high a calorie diet as I can and still lose weight (1800-2200 daily seems to be working right now). This has helped me to not binge eat for the past nearly 20 weeks, and so far I have lost 45 lbs.

The other side of the equation is exercise. My primary activity is dance, which I will do 3-4 times a week. I'm also working on strength training using calisthenics and weight training. Do this 1-2 times per week, but I want to build up to 3-4 times.

If you think you might have insulin resistance/metabolic syndrome and would like to try a similar diet approach, I'd be happy to serve as a mentor. Here are some potential indicators of IR (only a doctor can diagnosis, but unfortunately this is often overlooked!)

• Waist size of 40 inches or more in men and 35 inches or more in women.
• High levels of triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood): Your levels are 150 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), or you're taking medicine to control your triglycerides.
• Low levels of "good" (HDL) cholesterol: Less than 40 mg/dL for men and less than 50 mg/dL for women.
• High blood pressure: Your blood pressure is 130/85 or higher, or you're taking medicine to treat high BP.
• Blood sugar levels that are above normal: Your fasting blood sugar levels are 100 mg/dL or above, or you're taking medicine to treat high blood sugar levels.
• Darkened skin around places like neck and armpits
• PCOS

I would love being a mentor to 1 or 2 people--it really can be mutually beneficial. I don't have all the answers and don't always practice all of the ones that I do have, but I've been "dieting" since I was 11 and generally know what works and what doesn't.

I'm 5'2" and currently weigh 148 lbs. at age 38. I'm down 10 lbs. from my all time high weight of 158 lbs. after recommitting on MFP last fall. My goal weight is 125, but I'd like to get down to 122 eventually. I had lost that much weight (158 to 122) about 6-7 years ago with Weight Watchers' old program and maintained the weight loss for 2 years before health and family issues derailed me. Since regaining, I've yoyo'ed quite a bit (learning what works and what doesn't work and trying to find my motivation), but feel that I'm back on track now and would love to share what I've learned with someone as we both continue on the journey together.

My weight loss philosophy can be pretty easily summed up that it's all about the calories, and specifically being religious about tracking them! Exercise is important for health, but it really won't make you lose weight unless you're also at a calorie deficit. It is also important to be patient--I can gain 4 lbs in a week long vacation, but I know it will take 1-2 months to lose it. I see a lot of people get derailed when they don't see fast results. I expect a long term average of about 1/2 lb per week loss when I'm staying consistent. I think this is especially true for short people like me.

I also have found that while no food is off limits, some foods help me stay on track more than others. Therefore, I try to focus on higher protein, lower refined carb, high volume, less processed (whole) foods for my core diet with other foods as treats only. I also try to limit artificial sweeteners because I've found that they really do make it harder for me to resist binge cravings. I am currently an omnivore, but I was a lacto-ovo vegetarian for 5 years (including the time of my initial weight loss and maintenance).

I currently only have real-life friends on my friend list, but if you'd like to partner through this mentoring project, please feel free to reach out. I think I would be most helpful to a shorter woman, like myself, since that's what I know!

I just want to say as a "noob" this was a great idea and I am so glad that I got on here, looked at it, and snagged me an AWESOME mentor. Thanks for all the support on and off the forums!!!

Has found her noobs and is no longer accepting new applicants.

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I can mentor one or two people!

I have been overweight my whole life. Something clicked last March and I started investing in myself! I began at MFP April 2014 and set myself up to eat 1800 calories a day. Over the summer I began walking, then jogging (a little), then biking. Now it is 8 months later and I usually eat under 1500 calories per day; I have lost 70 pounds and am looking to lose another 60 - 70.

I believe in eating real food! I love to cook, but I also think little compares to fresh quality produce! If I want something, I usually go for it in small portions or I exercise to earn it. Additionally, I am a mother to 2 fabulous girls, a wife, and science teacher; so I know busy! But I have decided that I am worth investing in no matter how hectic life gets!

I would be honored to mentor 2 guys.

I'm married, 45, lost ~80 pounds and have been on maintenance since August 2014. Used MFP for a few years and find calorie counting to be the best way to balance my eating lifestyle and weight loss/maintenance. Not a gym rat, but finding myself getting more active. Learning that we have a relationship with food and we should always stay in the control seat. Many tools to learn along the road that will ensure success. I truly believe if I can do this, ANYONE can do this!

Two key success tools I abide by are Accident Forgiveness and Consistency is Key. I'll give 100% if you commit 200%.

Here's to a great 2015. Make this your year!

Hi everyone! I just started today and I'm looking for a mentor. I'm a 20 year old Australian and my metabolism has slowed down significantly in the last year and I'm gaining weight fast. My main goal is to change my habits before I become overweight but I'd also like to lose 10-15 kilograms. I would prefer a mentor who uses metric weight measurement but I'm not too fussed so I don't mind if I have to convert kg to pounds/km to miles.

Hi! I'm 32 and 305 lbs. I'm tall, but I've gained 100 lbs in the last 3 years. I too realized that if I didn't take serious action, I'd be looking at type 2 diabetes. I'm a step - mom to a wonderful 9 year old who calls me Mommy, and I'd like to be a better example for her!

A couple of years ago I lost 40 lbs in 4 months using my fitness pal...but I still consider myself a noob. The thing I was missing last time was a sense of community. I own my own business...And my husband doesn't do this with me so I'm asking for help!

Let me know if you'd like to help encourage me. It sounds like you've been really successful!

Sincerely
Amber Holt

Hi! I'm 21 and have been on and off mfp for 2 years. I would love to have someone mentor me as I feel like that would help me commit to this new lifestyle. Anyone who is up to help me out message/add me thank you

Hiya, I've just finished my chemotherapy and I've pilled on the weight! I need to loose about 4 stone so it won't be quick but needs to be done! Never really lost weight before so I've just downloaded mfp and going.ti try my best!!

Hi all! I'm Gemma, 28 from Australia. Happy to mentor a newb or two. I've I been lifting weights for about 3 years now and playing sport for even longer, I've been active my entire life. My main focus is Aussie Rules football so my training is centred on performance

In terms of nutrition I focus on eating lots of vegetables, lean protein and healthy fats but do also like to treat myself frequently. My philosophy regarding weightloss is to design a 'diet' that works for YOU, will get you results with the least possible lifesyle comprimises.

On a personal level I love sport, lifting, reading, travel, shopping, clothes, makeup and good food and drinks.

I read widely in the fields of nutrition and training but I won't pretend to have everything figured out. Hopefully I can assist with basic and moderate questions and point you in the right direction for anything else you might need.