New members - tell us about yourself

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  • bubbajoe1066
    bubbajoe1066 Posts: 95 Member
    Well here i am.... my names Joe from Pennsylvania, originally form boston. My family and I own an operate a small stables(50 ) horses... i'm a relocated city boy ,redneck in training... ask my wife and she'll say "i have a masters degree in redneckology" Anyways... i quit smoking 15 years ago (3 packs a day) cold turkey... and have slowly packed on the pounds...really no excuse... i love food...i love cooking good food..i love eating good food...i am a foodie...and i'm fat.

    Believe it or not i really did not consider my self overweight until this past Christmas... my lovely wife took a photo of me with my 2 year old great nephew sitting on my lap... she showed me the photo and said i looked nice in my new shirt... i didn't recognize the fat guy in the photo...i honestly didn't... that is not the same person i see in the mirror every day...SIGH.. it is and i am that person..SOOOOO here i am....I made a life change... not on a diet... the road i was on will only lead to my early demise and i want to stick around for awhile...oh BTW i'm 55.... figure i need to drop about 100 lbs... so far 2 weeks into it i have dropped 10 lbs... got myself a fitbit...I LOVE THIS THING!!! i walk every morning after work... i cut out all added sugar,salt and most carbs.. no bread or pasta.. and i drink water...SOOOO MUCH water!!! funny thing the side benefit has been my knees have pretty much stopped hurting and i have been off tumms and zantac for about week now.( bad reflux)... i'm feeling pretty good... anyways thought i'd stop in and introduce myself... just found this group and like there is a place for an old fart like me... pleasure meeting everyone...if anyone needs a hand,,not that i know much... give me a shout.. i log in everyday...10 down 90 to go.
  • BRaye325
    BRaye325 Posts: 1,383 Member
    Welcome Joe, our stories are very similar. I started here about 18 months ago now and have lost 100 lbs. I still want to drop another 20, but this has improved my life and health tremendously. I've found that getting to know others here who share information and give each other support makes a huge difference. Looking forward to getting to know you better. Thanks for the introduction.
  • Slim2fitit
    Slim2fitit Posts: 24 Member
    Hi all, I am Stella. I will be 66 on the 28th January and married 20 years in May. I have 1 son and 4 step children, all adults now with kids of their own. I have an underactive thyroid which makes it easier to put on weight than take it off but it's the evening binges that are really to blame. I spent last year losing the same half stone ( 7lbs ) over and over again but this year I intend to gat my act together and lose 52 lbs.
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,269 Member
    Slim2fitit wrote: »
    Hi all, I am Stella. I will be 66 on the 28th January and married 20 years in May. I have 1 son and 4 step children, all adults now with kids of their own. I have an underactive thyroid which makes it easier to put on weight than take it off but it's the evening binges that are really to blame. I spent last year losing the same half stone ( 7lbs ) over and over again but this year I intend to gat my act together and lose 52 lbs.

    Hi, Stella! Hypothyroidism need not determine success. I'm hypothyroid, and have lost about 60 pounds since April 2015. A good, sustainable plan, followed with consistency & persistence, will lead to success.
  • JMarcella57
    JMarcella57 Posts: 1,902 Member
    Joe and Stella - Welcome!
  • luluinca
    luluinca Posts: 2,899 Member
    Welcome to all the new members and returning members............hoping for a very successful 2016 for all of us!!!
  • RodaRose
    RodaRose Posts: 9,562 Member
    @bubbajoe1066 Looking at old pictures still surprises me. Happy to hear that you are pleased with how you feel after the first two weeks. :)

    @Slim2fitit Good luck this year! :) I totally understand about the evenings. I do best if I focus on getting to bed early but that does not always work out right.
  • 1cand0it2
    1cand0it2 Posts: 169 Member
    Hello everyone, my name is Peg. I'm not new to MFP (or maybe sorta' new, I've been here since last June. I missed logging in ONE day in October...oh well.) I'm happy to have found this group! I started with a collection of 4 sizes in my closet, and I'm down to 2 sizes in there. I've got some momentum going into this year, just trying not to get too full of myself. Big-headedness does not support weight loss!

    I have a twin sister who weighs slightly less (used to be a LOT less), so there's some competition there too. As far as I know, she is not on MFP.
  • mk2fit
    mk2fit Posts: 730 Member
    Welcome Joe, Stella and Peg! This is a great place to be. Everyone is very nice and supportive. Lots of great information and insight.
  • bubbajoe1066
    bubbajoe1066 Posts: 95 Member
    Thank you for the kind words and warm welcome. it is very much appreciated.
  • RodaRose
    RodaRose Posts: 9,562 Member
    Hi, Peg! Congrats on your weight loss. <3
    I love getting rid of old clothes that no longer fit so that I can free up space in my life for new ways of thinking and doing.
  • JMarcella57
    JMarcella57 Posts: 1,902 Member
    @1cand0it2 - Peg, welcome to the group. :)

  • telynau
    telynau Posts: 16 Member
    Hello! Figured a polite introduction was in order. Have enjoyed reading everyone's posts.

    On April Fools Day 2015, I the Fool, didn't get my prescription for anti-depressants refilled... an insurance SNAFU. Without those meds I spiral slowly into an apathetic state of inertia. Finally by November's Thanksgiving Monday I was able to summon something within and took a walk to the Doctor's office. Although only 1K it felt like a thousand. In seven months I had gained a little over 30# and lost a significant amount of strength and stability/balance.

    Slowly but surely I've gone back to Nordic Walking, doing a floor-based Pilates routine, and yoga. Also added some "Functional Lifts" with the guidance of a Physical Therapist. And! Discovered how much I like working with weights. Kettlebells especially. The 6kg bell is a struggle LoL; it was only a few short weeks ago the 2kg bell and I were on unfriendly terms, though.

    Oh. Food. Hmmm, well, that, too has a bearing on health and well being ;) I like food. Food's my favourite. Food and I are BFFs. Sometimes Food and I exclude Exercise from our BFF Circle. That's not nice to do, not at all. We're working together again; Food, Exercise, and me. We had a great time from 1980-to-2015 maintaining a 100#+ deficit.

    We're not at all exclusive HaHa. Talking with other like minded people is always fun and enlightening. Glad to know there are other "people of a certain age" using MFP. As a Vintage '57 I was wondering if my fins were a bit too obvious...
  • JMarcella57
    JMarcella57 Posts: 1,902 Member
    @telynar - I too, am vintage '57. Love your picture. The dog's expression is priceless!
  • telynau
    telynau Posts: 16 Member
    @JMarcella57 TeeHee
  • nikkib0103
    nikkib0103 Posts: 969 Member
    Hello, Peg, Joe, Stella and telynau. Glad to see you all here. This is a nice group and I think you will find some nice support and good information.
  • gmoo150
    gmoo150 Posts: 31 Member
    Welcome!
  • EatSleepRideRun
    EatSleepRideRun Posts: 52 Member
    I don't have any friends on here its a pity because id like nothing more than to have a few support messages after runs and I wouldn't feel so alone. I'm not sure if I'm in the wrong generation or if people feel intimidated I have no idea. I certainly enjoy supporting other people if I can, hence joining people in my own age group, who must find it as difficult as me to keep trim, gone of the days we could eat anything drink anything stay the same shape, and so, here I am.

    A little about myself I'm 53, Married with two grown up kids one grandchild. I live and work in Nottingham UK. I like to have a goal for most years something to keep me motivated, and therefore Healthy. Although I'm 53 I still think I'm 21 and sometimes think maybe I should slow down. In saying that my Goal for this year (I must be Crazy) but I'm attempting 12 Half Marathons this year, I am no athlete, so I will be plodding around then in 2 hours ish.

    So Far i'm booked in for:

    Coventry HM 28/Feb
    Retford HM 13/Mar
    North London HM 20/Mar
    Warwick 03/April
    Shakespeare 24/April
    North Lincolnshire 01/May
    Ramathon 05/Jun
    Rugby 17/July
    Great North run 11/Sep
    Robin hood HM 25/Sep
    Tissington Trail HM 09/10 all booked = 8 HM

    Newark 17/July this is pencilled in as its not open to book yet.

    I would be a lot more comfortable if I could lose some weight so I'm working on that. I walk to work and back 30 minutes each way and I use Garmin devices and MFP in sync and most of the time I log my food, if I do a 10 mile run I don't usually bother though. I like hiking too but I'll need to concentrate on long runs on a Sunday this year not a hike in the hills.

    That's a little about me and I'm looking forward meeting people and adding some friends fingers crossed.

    Lee


  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,269 Member
    I don't have any friends on here its a pity because id like nothing more than to have a few support messages after runs and I wouldn't feel so alone. I'm not sure if I'm in the wrong generation or if people feel intimidated I have no idea. I certainly enjoy supporting other people if I can, hence joining people in my own age group, who must find it as difficult as me to keep trim, gone of the days we could eat anything drink anything stay the same shape, and so, here I am.

    A little about myself I'm 53, Married with two grown up kids one grandchild. I live and work in Nottingham UK. I like to have a goal for most years something to keep me motivated, and therefore Healthy. Although I'm 53 I still think I'm 21 and sometimes think maybe I should slow down. In saying that my Goal for this year (I must be Crazy) but I'm attempting 12 Half Marathons this year, I am no athlete, so I will be plodding around then in 2 hours ish.

    So Far i'm booked in for:

    (list of races snipped)

    I would be a lot more comfortable if I could lose some weight so I'm working on that. I walk to work and back 30 minutes each way and I use Garmin devices and MFP in sync and most of the time I log my food, if I do a 10 mile run I don't usually bother though. I like hiking too but I'll need to concentrate on long runs on a Sunday this year not a hike in the hills.

    That's a little about me and I'm looking forward meeting people and adding some friends fingers crossed.

    Lee

    First, welcome! As a fellow active person, I think I understand where you're coming from. (Friend me if you like. I'm in my rowing off-season now, so a bit less active than in summer, but I'm happy to support a fellow active person.)

    But, that said: Dang it, man, you've hit one of my hot-buttons (bolded above)! Why, oh, why are people so quick to go to "I'm not an athlete"? You're planning 12 half marathons! You may be a slow athlete (the two-hour thing), you may be an overweight athlete (not sure what "find it difficult to keep trim" means), you may be an older athlete at 53 (we call them "masters" athletes, right?), but it sure sounds like you're an athlete.

    One of my rowing coaches had us do an exercise once, one I recommend to other newly active (or persistently self-deprecating) people. She had each of us take a piece of paper, and write down 3-5 things that would have to be true in order for us to "believe we were an athlete".

    A couple of years later, when I found that piece of paper, I had to admit it: I was an athlete. An obese (then, not now), slow, masters athlete.

    Claim it.



  • BRaye325
    BRaye325 Posts: 1,383 Member
    Nice to meet you Lee! FR sent.
  • chamblisk
    chamblisk Posts: 296 Member


    First, welcome! As a fellow active person, I think I understand where you're coming from. (Friend me if you like. I'm in my rowing off-season now, so a bit less active than in summer, but I'm happy to support a fellow active person.)

    But, that said: Dang it, man, you've hit one of my hot-buttons (bolded above)! Why, oh, why are people so quick to go to "I'm not an athlete"? You're planning 12 half marathons! You may be a slow athlete (the two-hour thing), you may be an overweight athlete (not sure what "find it difficult to keep trim" means), you may be an older athlete at 53 (we call them "masters" athletes, right?), but it sure sounds like you're an athlete.

    One of my rowing coaches had us do an exercise once, one I recommend to other newly active (or persistently self-deprecating) people. She had each of us take a piece of paper, and write down 3-5 things that would have to be true in order for us to "believe we were an athlete".

    A couple of years later, when I found that piece of paper, I had to admit it: I was an athlete. An obese (then, not now), slow, masters athlete.

    Claim it.



    Wow....I like that, Ann. I'm not an athlete either....but I think I will write down some things that will need to be true for me to "beleive". You are right, we often use that self-depreciating talk to downplay our accomplishments (I do!) So, I too want to be a formerly obese, slow, master athlete. Someday soon.

  • MostlyWater
    MostlyWater Posts: 4,294 Member
    It's exciting to see some new faces here !!!! Welcome !!!!
  • Montepulciano
    Montepulciano Posts: 845 Member
    I have commented a time or two in this group, and am finally doing this.

    Was a competitive athlete all through my teens, and then when I quit actively competing the weight started packing on as nutrition and watching what I ate had never been a concern. I have not been at a healthy weight since my early 20's and now, I want to change that. I miss seeing me in the mirror and that general feeling of feeling healthy.

    In late August of 2015 I stepped on the scale and gasped when it read 259.5 and said, no...this is not who I am. And it started there. In early September I found MFP and was down to 255 and it has just continued from there. I have met lots of great and supportive people here and had lots of my personal myths about weight loss get debunked until really I am left with CICO. Which is much less intimidating and is something I know I will do for life, not just to get the weight off.

    Starting Weight: 259.5
    Current Weight: 221.5
    Goal Weight:125-130
    Height: 5'6"

    Always happy to add new friends who are committed and supportive.
  • telynau
    telynau Posts: 16 Member
    @AnnPT77 Thank You! You made a profound observation; one many of us need to remember. This is worth a separate thread.

    @EatSleepRideRun hat's off to you. That's an intense race schedule for 2016. Noticed you're estimating 2-plus hours for the HMs O_O... you be booking... not plodding by any stretch of the imagination. HaHa, plodding is 5K, 90-plus minutes ;)
  • EatSleepRideRun
    EatSleepRideRun Posts: 52 Member
    edited January 2016
    Thanks everyone, maybe I am an athlete just never thought of it lol


  • luluinca
    luluinca Posts: 2,899 Member
    I have commented a time or two in this group, and am finally doing this.

    Was a competitive athlete all through my teens, and then when I quit actively competing the weight started packing on as nutrition and watching what I ate had never been a concern. I have not been at a healthy weight since my early 20's and now, I want to change that. I miss seeing me in the mirror and that general feeling of feeling healthy.

    In late August of 2015 I stepped on the scale and gasped when it read 259.5 and said, no...this is not who I am. And it started there. In early September I found MFP and was down to 255 and it has just continued from there. I have met lots of great and supportive people here and had lots of my personal myths about weight loss get debunked until really I am left with CICO. Which is much less intimidating and is something I know I will do for life, not just to get the weight off.

    Starting Weight: 259.5
    Current Weight: 221.5
    Goal Weight:125-130
    Height: 5'6"

    Always happy to add new friends who are committed and supportive.

    Glad to have you on board!!! This is a great and motivating group to be a part of!!!
  • kyedo
    kyedo Posts: 83 Member
    @Montepulciano and @EatSleepRideRun you have found one of the most supportive groups on MFP. I constantly notice that folks I meet on this group, continue to be the most active and most supportive of all the people I have meet on MFP. Welcome and good luck with the rest of your journey.
  • marekdds
    marekdds Posts: 2,233 Member
    Wow! I miss a few days and we have lots of new people! Most excellent! Welcome everyone, this a great group with people in all different stages of this process. You will get good advice without the snarkiness of the main forums. I was a lazy fat girl. Now I am a not so lazy, not fat girl. This can be done.
  • BBee5064
    BBee5064 Posts: 1,020 Member
    kyedo wrote: »
    Okay, I have not been very active in the group during the second half of 2015, and thought I would start the new year off by re-introducing myself. It also gets this thread back to the top so all the new members can easily find it ;).

    My name is Ed, I am a 51 year old guy living in Louisville KY. I live with my wife and 15 year old son. I find that I have much better success at keeping my weight moving in the right direction (which is down), if I am on here tracking my intake every day. I also find that I get a lot of inspiration by seeing the success that all of you are having. It also keeps me motivated when I see all of the activity updates, whether it is walking, running, or lifting weights.

    My MFP goals for this year:
    Keep the scale moving in the right direction each month
    Be a more vocal supporter/contributor

    Please feel free to add me

    nice to have you back :)
  • BBee5064
    BBee5064 Posts: 1,020 Member
    great to see so many new faces in our group
    Welcome :)
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