Hello, everyone. My name is Anne, and I live in Atlanta. I attribute any weight gain I have to the basic physics of calories in/calories out. I find that it's easy for me - unfortunately - to consume more calories than I burn off through exercise.

I've always been active - track and basketball and cheerleading/pom squad in elementary/middle school/high school; ballet in college; running and hiking and snowboarding and sailing in adulthood.

I like to eat delicious, healthy food, and I try to steer clear of - or at least minimize the amount of - packaged, highly processed food. What gets the best of me is eating out at restaurants, which for me is closely tied to lack of portion control. I'm a social butterfly who enjoys drinking beer and wine at parties and social functions, and I also like drinking wine at home with dinner, and after dinner while watching television.

I joined MFP a couple months ago, and I've lost about 7 pounds so far. I've stepped up my activity level a bit - I was already running 3+ times per week, plus some high-impact workouts, fast-paced walking, etc. The primary tactic that's helping me with my weight loss is logging - every single day - the food I eat, drinks I consume and my exercise/workouts into the MFP diary. For me, keeping track of my calories in/calories out has really jump-started my weight loss and started the momentum towards reaching my weight and fitness goals.

Thanks for including me in this group! Anne

Hello! My name is Eileen. I'm a 42 year old from Northeast PA. I've struggled with weight my entire life. When I got to my highest weight at the end of 2014. I became depressed and not a nice person to live with. I knew something had to change.

I started using Advocare and exercising every day at the gym (elliptical). I got bored of the gym and started looking for something else to keep my exercise interest. I have friends who train in martial arts and that's when I found Tang Soo Do (the martial art that Chuck Norris practices). I was hesitant at first, I thought no way can "fat" people take a martial arts class. Boy was I wrong! It's my new addiction! I love it and I am down 40+ pounds and counting. I've been doing it for just over a year and I am going for another belt this Wednesday (4/6/16)! My core is ridiculous and I have felt some amazing changes in my body as far as getting stronger and more flexible.

I still have weight to lose and would love to be under 200 lbs. I'm working on it!

Some other things about me:

** I'm a mother of two children, ages 20 and 18.
** I have two dogs--a Doberman (my fave breed) and a Shepherd mix rescue.
** I work for a state law enforcement agency.
** I train in Tang Soo Do three times a week and then I join my boyfriend in the gym some other days...he's an awesome support system. Love him!
** I've been doing pretty well with my eating habits. My weaknesses are salty food (chips and dip...yum) and making not-so-good choices when dining out.

I look forward to making new friends and learning from all of you wonderful women!!

Hello! My name is Debbie and I'm from the Detroit area. In my last weeks of my 40's. While I have mixed emotions about turning 50, I certainly want to embrace it and be a better version in the next years of my life. I've been in MFP for quite some time. Last year I started WW in March and was able to loose about 12 pounds. However, when summer rolled around; pretty much fell of the wagon and gained it all back plus some. Need to get back at it and am excited to see all the good advice about turning 50, dealing with menopausal issues and getting back to a healthier weight.

Hi my name is Cindy, I am 62 and I live in Mississippi. I need to lose 30 pounds and I am having a hard time because I like to eat. I have no will power.I need all the help I can get. I want to weight 150 and I am 176 now.

Hi, I am 63 and loving life. I have about 34 lbs to loose while getting to the weight goal. I believe 60's are the young 30's. Everything changes when you retire. Knowing that you don't have to go to work and can do whatever you want really changes your outlook on life. I am looking forward to making new friends and getting ideals from you guys.

Trying to figure out how to reply to certain posts and what "quote" means below post. Bear with me!

Hi ,
I am sheila ..i am 53 and live in Norman Ok. I am married and we have 4 kids 2 his 2 mine all grown and 1 grand daugher 3yrs old. .i love to cook but i also love to eat out ... I like MFP to make me track my food ... I just need a group to keep me motivated

Hi my name is Sophia, 50, just started lifting weights for the first time ever. It's a very efficient way to build muscle, lose fat, tone and shape up. I live in NYC and decided to try weightlifting bc as I get older, I no longer feel confident walking home alone from the subway or bus at night.
Looking forward to this new adventure. I love the weightlifting club I joined where there are plenty of women, although I am probably one of the oldest athletes there.
I also take a basketball class called Never Too Late which is so much fun!

Hi everyone. I am 50 plus years young ( close to 60) and obese and have been a yo yo dieter all my adult life. Love walking and swimming but eat too much food. I like being outdoors especially in the bush. Not happy with my weight (17 stone) and have arthritis in one knee. Own a ginger cat aged 10, work, and enjoy knitting and reading. Have a great day everyone!! M

Hi! I'm Lianne and I'm 54. I've lost around 50 pounds in the last year and have about 60 to go. I work a stressful, sedentary job so I'm trying to figure out ways to incorporate movement into my day. My husband is super supportive and is trying to lose about 20 pounds himself. We've been trying to follow the Mediterranean Diet by incorporating more vegetables and less meat into our meals (much to my husband's dismay). I'm perfectly happy not eating meat at all and many days don't.

We're in the Houston area and looking to move closer to downtown where I lived for over 20 years. My husband is from Croatia and actually moved here to be with me 13 years ago this month (we met online and did the whole fiancé visa thing). We don't have any kids ourselves but are auntie and uncle to a group of great teens and tweens. We have a very spoiled rescue dog and two cats.