I reached GOAL!

It took 241 days of tracking and learning to lose 45 lbs. It was thanks to people like you who are reading this. Thank you! I couldn't have done it without this utility and this forum.

I am 52 years old, mom of 2 young adults and a wife of a tall, skinny guy. My family genetics suggests an early end to this adventure. My mom died at 43, dad died at 63, and my oldest sister died at 59. I decided last summer to do my part and to get a healthier body. I had reached 170 lbs. on my 5' 2.5" frame. I ate poorly, and I had started drinking far too much.

3rd week of August, I took a trip to DC with a good friend, and when I got back I had lost a couple pounds. I was 90+ degrees out and humid, and we got around by biking and walking a lot. Since I lost a couple pounds, I decided to keep going. That was 241 days ago.

I then had a physical at the Mayo Clinic in November and got all kinds of tests done. There were a few concerns that need 1 year follow up appointments, especially given my family history, but I'm otherwise good.

I lost 45 lbs and now have a BMI of 22.5 at 125.0 lbs. The internist at Mayo advised not going below a 22 BMI for me. I mostly keep to a 1200 calorie diet with occasional weekend overages, and I increased my walking a bit. I get about 10000 steps, sometimes less, over the winter. For me, it's been almost exclusively about learning how to eat. I think my diary is open. I eat a lot of fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats.

I do enjoy hiking, and we got new e-bikes for this year that I'm excited to use. The next challenge for sure will be increasing calories slowly and continuing to track for a long, long life!

Thanks for reading. If I feel courageous later, I'll add pictures below.

Denise