New members - tell us about yourself
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Great to see you here, @LinFlemmer331 You have been working hard at this thing for a long time and you are a wonderful support to your other MFP pals.0
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Hello all,
I'm Dixie, and I'm a 54 year old from Boise, ID. I have two adult kids (21 and 27) who live far away (Seattle and upstate New York). The younger child is in college, and the older one works in technology. I have an adult husband (the jury's out on that) and we've been married for 32 years.
I work full time as a research coordinator in a CF clinic, which is the best job ever. I'm a trained respiratory therapist and have been at the same institution for 32 years. I figure I'll retire in 13 years or so, depends on how things go.
I'm finally learning to take care of myself. I was a skinny kid and gained weight as an adult. I would gain and lose, and after my younger child was born, the losing got less and less and the gaining more. I put everyone's needs first. But now it's my turn.
In February I joined a pilot program that my hospital is putting on called Metabolic Syndrome clinic. Unfortunately I qualified as having metabolic syndrome and was diagnosed with pre-diabetes. It's been six weeks since the program started and we have lectures twice a week followed by killer hour long workouts. I am so far able to keep workouts up and exercise 5 days a week.
I came to MFP because of MetSyn clinic. I am required to log food and exercise daily, and I finally got to poking around to see what else is there. I honestly wasn't going to do that, because the most active forums seem like high school (rank the person above as hot or not, gag). But then I found this forum, and I got a really nice welcome from your leader. I am honored to read all your stories, and happy to be here.1 -
Hi Everyone, I'm Wendy and I'm 54 yrs old. I live in Ontario, Canada. I am happily married to my best friend and I have 3 sons and 1 daughter, all grown up. I also have a 3 yr old grandaughter and a 7 week old grandson. And I can't forget my two dogs and three cats. I never really had any problems with my weight until I quit smoking 5 1/2 yrs ago. Ever since then I have been yo-yo ing. I have lost and gained the same 25 lbs several times. It seems that every spring/summer I lose then gain it back over the winter months.
Today is a beautiful spring day and I just came in from a 5 mile walk and I'm feeling very motivated to lose weight before summer arrives. I find MFP very helpful in so many ways. I love to be able to track my food and exercise so easily. And I love to read the forums and know that I'm not alone.0 -
LinFlemmer331 wrote: »I was invited to join by alphabetsoup2013, thanks! This last weekend I turned 58. That number seems so foreign to me because although my body knows I'm 58, my mind finds it hard to believe. I have been married for over 32 years, my oldest will be 26 this month. I also have a 15 & 16 year old that sometimes make me feel young and other times make me feel too old for this!
I had a knee replacement about 4 years ago, and although it's better than before it is far from having a normal knee. My doctor advised me to lose weight or I might wear it out early. Unfortunately I tore the meniscus in my other knee too, which makes it hard to exercise much. Before I started I was bloated, swollen, miserable, and felt like if I didn't do something soon, I wouldn't have a very long life. I still have kids to raise. So I started myfitnesspal over two years ago and lost 55 lbs. I was motivated and determined, had lots of family support and a staring weight of 270lbs. But as the months went along and my weight loss slowed, I just kept reducing my calories, which made it hard to sustain. I had a big trip planned with my sister to go to Europe, my bucket list trip to meet our family there. But life had other plans, and my husband was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer and needed surgery then. It all became about getting my husband healthy again. I stopped counting calories, did a lot of stress eating, and making food he and the kids wanted to eat, and regained 40 lbs. My husband is fine now, and it is time to get back to business and lose that weight plus more, get physically active again and get ready for my Europe trip. I wanted to be thinner when I met our relatives, but I'm just happy to be able to go. This time has not been as successful because I just don't want to be hungry. I am playing around with different ways to get my body to start losing this weight. I appreciate the invitation to this group, and look forward to getting to know you!
Welcome aboard. Why is it that we all eventually hit an age when we say: “my mind finds it hard to believe.” Several years ago, I had a conversation with a relative in her late 70’s and she said the very same thing – “in my mind I am still young.”
I pride myself in staying connected with younger generations. I have friends / family in their 20’s, 30’s & 40’s. But then there is reality – like when my niece (20-something) tells my wife and I that we are her favorite “old” couple and she wants to be just like us. She meant it as a compliment - because we still do movies at 10pm on a weeknight, we have smart phones, know current music and are open to last minute excursions.
Then there are moments when an early 40-something niece or nephew calls me “uncle”… after all… I am only a couple years older than them…LOL. (I come from a large family – my oldest sibling is in her 80’s and the youngest in her 50’s). I easily have over 40 nephews/nieces and great-nephews/nieces.
Glad we are all here trying to get healthy and live life to the fullest.
As my long standing profile quote states: “It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live.” - Marcus Aurelius, Meditations"
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I am so glad I joined this group the other day and am meeting so many nice people, a few like me who are shocked to be in their 50s! I think we will all be able to help each other.0
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Thanks for the warm welcome! I look forward to getting to know you all!
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Hi! I am Jen. Soon to be 63 y.o. wife and mother of 4 athletes. Spent my time watching and getting fat. Poor eating habits and no exercise, ballooned to over 200 lb, (I am 5'6") Decided I was sick of it and changed my lifestyle. Lost 85 pounds. Started slow just walking and now I do 5k's, (not fast, but I do them). I make most of my own food from fresh ingredients, including the goodies that I love and will not give up. Now I just have a piece of pie instead of the whole pie. Decided early on that I wouldn't do anything that I couldn't sustain forever, so no "diet", just reasonable exercise and portion control. Been at my goal weight for three years, (hovering around 135). I still find challenges, still have an occasional binge, (though not as bad as in the past).But it feels pretty darn good to not be fat anymore. Fat is no longer an option. Would be happy to support anyone who is serious about this and can offer support in return.0
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Jen, I congratulate you on maintaining your loss. That has always been the hardest for me. Now losing has become harder as I am no longer a teen. I want this to be my last major weight loss campaign and know maintenance will be a big test. I will certainly come to you for tips when, not if, that happy day comes.0
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alphabetsoup2013 invited me. I'm Robb/funchords M 51 5'11½" SW:298 CW:194 GW:185 so that's 104 pounds (about 48 kg or so). I lost very fast in the first couple of months, but it's been slower and steadier (and better) since then. I am in the home stretch of Phase I and then maintaining doing everything I'm doing to lose -- log, some light walking, and support from family, friends, and TOPS.
funchords is because I sing barbershop quartet music. I live on Cape Cod. I have two adult girls and four grandkids.
I recently celebrated losing 100 pounds and recapped my story. I'm active in my local TOPS chapter for weekly accountability and support -- it helps keep the effort real (instead of just virtual).0 -
Thanks Nikki, really appreciate it. Robb, amazing work, stay strong to the finish. Ann, tha nks for letting me know about this group.0
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But it feels pretty darn good to not be fat anymore. Fat is no longer an option.
Yep! I can't imagine going back to being weighed down by an extra 132 lbs. (Well, actually I can -- and that's enough to keep me working hard at maintaining a weight that allows me to live life fully as opposed to sitting on the sidelines, watching life go by.)
Great to have you as part of this group, @marekdds0 -
support from family, friends, and TOPS.
For years, I was afraid to ask others to support in me in my weight loss efforts. I was so ashamed of being obese that I felt unworthy of their support. I was also petrified of letting them down, as well as myself, if I failed at weight loss yet again. Something shifted this time around and I was able to ask for support. I have also worked really hard at extending that support to others. I think the combo (giving and receiving support) has made a huge difference.
Great to see you here, Robb / @funchords0 -
nikkib0103 wrote: »I want this to be my last major weight loss campaign and know maintenance will be a big test.
Nikki, I felt this way this time around, too: that this needed to be my final attempt at losing weight -- AND that I just don't have it in me to gain the weight back again.
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Hey Ann! I understand. I was busy being everything to everybody and asking for help meant failure. My adult daughter told me about mfp b/c she wanted to lose 10 lbs, lol. It made me realize she was concerned for me and we have helped each other. Swapping recipes and she has gotten me to push myself. Would have never started running w/o her encouragement. I had gained and lost before. The friends, stability and accountability of mfp made the difference this time. The big reason I am still here is helping others and having their support keeps me stay focused.0
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THank you for sharing your stories. We are all inspired by each & every one of you have inspired me.0
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Sorry i should have proof read this.
Let me repeat... U have all inspired me x0 -
Hi I'm Lesley & I just turned 50 in February.
I'm New to MFP but was on weight watchers for a long time, got to goal & stayed there. Until I wandered off the Reservation. *shakes head* ah well, back to what I know works: portion sizes & tracking. I love the MFP app & community.
I'm a freelance writer. I've been doing Insanity for a while now for my "formal" workouts & I don't have a car right now, so I get a lot of walking in. Including grocery shopping - I live a mile from the Max & another 1/2 mile to the grocery store, so I figure it's helping keep me in good shape! On a serious note, my mom died of breast cancer so regular exercise & keeping my weight down is super important to me.
It's funny tho - once you make the decision to get back on track with food /exercise/weight, something just kind of clicks back into place mentally. And what was such a struggle for so long suddenly ceases. And I'm so glad b/c this is the most in control of life I've felt in a while. A feeling that's way better than any food can bring for me.
Anyway, nice to meet everyone. I look forward to getting to know you & keeping each other inspired on our journeys. 0 -
Hi everyone! I'm Petra, 57, from British Columbia, Canada. I've been on MFP for about 2 years, lost my weight and am now maintaining. Since being here, I've completed the C25K jogging program and run 3x a week. I'm slow and run 5-8K each time (usually closer to 5K). I am also learning tai-chi.
I work full-time, am married, no kids.
I look forward to getting to know you all.
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Welcome Lesley and Petra! This really is a mental challenge more than anything. Once we get our head straight, the rest follows.0
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I'm a 55 year old woman who lives about half an hour from bill and Melinda gates (but never met them) in Washington state. I suffer from schizoaffective disorder so my meds have a tendency to make me gain weight. I am a published author, have been married 32 years and have two grown boys. I look forward to making this journey with others my age0
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CrazyMermaid1 wrote: »I'm a 55 year old woman who lives about half an hour from bill and Melinda gates (but never met them) in Washington state. I suffer from schizoaffective disorder so my meds have a tendency to make me gain weight. I am a published author, have been married 32 years and have two grown boys. I look forward to making this journey with others my age
Welcome to the group Crazymermaid, we look forward to getting to know u x0 -
58 yr old male in BC, married.
I've always eaten healthy food, but I eat too much of it.
Went from 214 lbs to 185 lbs 3 yrs ago, but ballooned back to 209. I could give excuses (lost a house), but in the end it's on me. Started at it again, and I have lost several lbs.0 -
Hi there! My name is Connie, I am 62, and have struggled with my weight my entire life. I know now, without a doubt, that I will always have to track my food and exercise...there is no finish line. It took me soooo long time to understand that concept.
I came back to MFP mid- December after a 6 month pity party. I have no problems with exercise but struggle with finding the right calorie mix for consistent weight loss. I have lost 11.6 since December and am currently stuck at the same weight. It is frustrating.
I am looking forward to getting to know everyone.
Connie0 -
Jen – Congrats on your maintenance! You hit in on the nail: acknowledgement of past poor choices, never giving up after loss, reasonable exercise / portion control, occasional treats, fat not an option and the great feeling of “fat no more.” NICE WORK! GREAT ATTITUDE.
Connie – It has been a pleasure reading your comments / foods.
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Thanks Nikon! Apparently, you have done an amazing job yourself. Congratulations!
Connie, congrats to you too. Making the decision to do this is a life changer.0 -
lovesretirement wrote: »Hi there! My name is Connie, I am 62, and have struggled with my weight my entire life. I know now, without a doubt, that I will always have to track my food and exercise...there is no finish line. It took me soooo long time to understand that concept.
I came back to MFP mid- December after a 6 month pity party. I have no problems with exercise but struggle with finding the right calorie mix for consistent weight loss. I have lost 11.6 since December and am currently stuck at the same weight. It is frustrating.
I am looking forward to getting to know everyone.
Connie
Great to have you in our group Connie.. Looking forward to getting to know you better 0 -
Hi Everyone! My name is Cassandra and I've been at MFP on and off for about 2 years or so. When I'm working the plan, the plan works. When I'm not working the plan, it doesn't work. So I've gotten recommitted to the plan and have lost 24 pounds since mid-January. My weight has been an issue all of my life -- work stress, bad eating at work, too much drinking (client meetings!), not enough exercise and quitting smoking mean that I am the heaviest I have ever been. Recently, though, I saw a picture of myself in my early 20's and could not believe how great I looked -- even though my memory of myself then was as a fat girl. I realized that I had just internalized my mother's messages to me. So now we stop and now we work at getting healthier. I've been working with a great local trainer 4xweek on kettlebells, TRX and some other bodyweight exercises. I love this -- I'm stronger, my body is changing (for the better) fast and my stamina is great.
Anyway, I'm here to get healthier. I need to be able to raise some H*ll when I retire!
Looking forward to getting to know all of you.0 -
Welcome Cassandra! Sounds like you have a great attitude. I thought I was a fat kid, but looking at old pictures, I really wasn't. Funny how the mind works. This is a mental challenge.0
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sebenza512 wrote: »Recently, though, I saw a picture of myself in my early 20's and could not believe how great I looked -- even though my memory of myself then was as a fat girl.
I can totally relate to what you and Jen said about the warped pictures in our own heads.
I grew up believing that I was fat and hideous.
I recently saw a photo of myself in Grade 8 (someone I know posted it on Facebook). I was shocked to realize that I wasn't fat or ugly at all. I was pretty -- but sad and shy. In the photo, I am sitting at a picnic table with a group of kids with my arms covering up my stomach, like I'm trying to hide my weight....0
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