That's great!

I have been a member of this group for a month or so; figured it was time to add something to this thread. Warning: this will be long! lol!

I am in my mid-50's and go by my childhood nickname of "JB". I was a normal weight kid and I might have gained 10 pounds during my tour of college (undergrad and grad). It wasn't until I got into my 30's that I started gaining 10 pounds a year until I reached a high of 250 pounds at a height of 5'11".

It's funny that it was not the weight that bothered me (somehow, in my mind, I didn't think I was that fat), but when I could not fit into my size 36" pants that I had been wearing for many years and was forced to buy a few pairs of size 38" pants was the catalyst for me to take my health into my own hands.

I proceeded to drop 55 pounds (going from 250 to 195), but I was doing it all wrong. I was not accurately weighing or logging food. Instead, I basically was on a starvation diet somedays probably eating only 1000 calories. Then some change in work dynamics caused me to regain some of the weight (to about 220).

Then I discovered MFP. I probably lurked for 6 months before signing up and purchasing a digital food scale (the food scale in addition with a scale you use to measure your weight were the two most important tools in my arsenal), I steadily dropped from 220 to a low of 183 (but been maintaining in the upper 180's for a year now) and now easily fit into size 34" pants. I had asked my doctor if I should try to get to 175 (which was my original goal weight) and he said that the weight I am now is good enough (mind you, my doctor _hounded me_ for years to lose weight, so when he said I looked great, this is good enough for me), I am currently trying to recomp by body. I have always enjoyed lifting weights and my next year goal is to pack on some muscle that I most definitely lost from the last two diet attempts.

I have been at this 185-190 range for over a year and I just joined the national weight control registry (got their packet this week) and I just have to be mindful on what I eat and to monitor my weight fluctuation via daily weightings. I really never want to get back to over 200 pounds again as long as I live.

Best of luck to all in this group in their weight loss and maintenance journeys! If I can do this, really anyone else can do this too...

JB

Welcome JB. If you're interested in power lifting I'd recommend www.startingstrength.com. Great group, a lot of older lifters, some in their 70's there. The books available are 'the bible' for lifting for all ages and levels of experience.

Welcome JB! Looks like you have got a handle on this. Well done!

Thank you mk2loser, marekdds, nikkib0103, Farback and BRaye325 for the kind words.

I pretty much done most of this on my own. I know what I needed to do and using MFP helped put my plan in action. I just hope that I can maintain the weigh (plus/minus 5 pounds) for years to come.

The best of luck to everyone in this group!!

JB

Hello All,

Please add me as a friend!

My name is Marty. I will be 55 at the beginning of 2015. I lived most of my life in California, but moved to Idaho last year for employment. I love to fish, hike, camp and pistol shoot.

I am a certified personal trainer, but I did it basically to know more for myself. I love fitness and when I travel for work or pleasure, I plan on working out. I work out at home and use Bowflex Selecttech 552 dumbbells, Anti-burst ball as my bench and I have a Power Tower Station for pull-ups, dips, etc. My workout programs are Body Beast, Supreme 90 Day Workout, P90X3 and Les Mills Combat.

My favorite qoute: "That pain you are feeling during your workout is a reminder from God that you are alive" -Marty.

God Bless

BBee5064 wrote: »

Nice to have you in the group JB

Thank you BBee5064!

JB

BRaye325 wrote: »

Welcome to the group! We look forward to getting to know you. Please post a reply and tell us about yourself. Also, feel free to start a new discussion at any time on something you need to know, want to share, or just think might be fun.

Hi, I'm 64 and need to lose a lot of weight, I have had both knees replaced and need to get the weight off of them, would like some friends that will help keep me in line with my goal. I am a stress eater with a lot of stress in my life but I really want to reach my goal . Please help

Hi, I'm 56 and live in Colorado. My path to being overweight has been a slow?? and steady one. I decided around age 52 I neded to get in gear before it was too late. I've lost 20 pounds and would like to lose another 60 pounds. I've spent a fair amount of time over the past 4 years experimenting with what works for me. I know what I need to do, just need some help staying motivated. I'm looking forward to being a part of this group!

Welcome to the group! Lot of nice, supportive people here. I took the slow route too. Been at goal for 3 years!

Hi,

I am 64 and Type 2 diabetic. Trying to normalize blood sugars and lose weight. Need some buddies along the way!

Penell and Annie welcome! Great supportive group here. Logging food is so helpful. I never ran a day in my life til about 3-4 years ago. I did the couch to 5k and I have run some 5 ks. Who new I could do that in my 60's. You can do it too.

Welcome Dave, Penell and Annie!

Welcome! It's a good group and you will find good company, info and encouragement here.

Thanks for the welcome. Working all day, hopefully gym on way home and try to eat ok. Have a good Sunday all