1. Tell us a little about yourself? Where are you from? Family? Pets? What are some of your hobbies? Etc. I live in Madison, WI and I'm a marketer for a local university. I have a wonderful daughter and an amazing son-in-law who live about 20 minutes from me, and we spend quite a bit of time together. My daughter is also on a journey to lose weight and get healthier, so she and I are great cheerleaders and supports for one another. I don't have any pets myself, but my kids have two Golden Retrievers who have won my heart, and I love being grandma to them. I'm a quilter, but don't get to do it nearly as much as I'd like. I also enjoy watching political and historical documentaries and dramas (any fellow West Wing fans??), being outside as much as possible during the few warm months we get here in the Midwest, and I dabble in jewelry making and home projects.

2. Why are you on this journey? What pushed you to start? I have been on this journey most of my adult life, but have let myself down too many times to count. I always thought I could lose weight "later" when I wasn't so busy, but now that I'm getting older and I'm still just as busy (if not more so) I realize that the time has to be now - or it literally may be never.

3. What are your triggers and how can you avoid them? Like many people, I think stress is a trigger for me, but also the exhaustion that comes from it - too tired to cook a healthy meal so I drive through the nearest fast food restaurant; too tired to exercise so I sit on the couch; too tired to be planful so I stumble through the week doing whatever I need to so I can be "done" on Friday. For me the best way to avoid this is to change my thinking and put myself and my needs for my health first - ahead of work, ahead of whatever feels easiest in the moment, ahead of whatever looks, smells, or tastes like a better alternative than what I know I should have. I can allow myself occasional treats, but it needs to be the exception rather than the rule.

4. Do you have a favourite diet you go by? ie keto, low carb. I have been on and off Weight Watchers for several decades, so I can probably recite the program by heart (the old one, at least). Now I am just trying to follow those general guidelines, but counting calories rather than Points using MFP. I do appreciate that MFP also shows me macronutrients, which isn't something WW ever taught me about or cared that tracked.

5. What is your favourite way to workout? Any new workouts you would like to try this month? I started working with a personal trainer about 10 months ago, and I'm now lifting weights I never imagined I could, especially at my age. I learned about this trainer from my daughter, who has been working with him for about a year and a half now. Lately, she and I have started having joint training sessions with him once a week, and I love it. We're slightly competitive with one another, but also enjoy seeing the progress we're both making and cheering each other on. I also do DDP Yoga a couple of times a week, which has been great for my flexibility. Now that the weather is starting to improve, I plan to take a walk outside during my lunch hours on the days when the temperature is above 50 degrees.

6. What are some of your goals this month? Year? I would be happy if I drop at least one pound per week, but would love more if I can. By the end of this year, I'm hoping that adds up to at least 30 pounds total. I will reach those goals by doing meal planning and prep on weekends for the coming week, exercising at least three days each week, drinking plenty of water, and getting at least seven hours of sleep each night.

7. What do you expect to gain from the team? Do you have any suggestions? I expect to gain support on my journey, celebrations for my wins, ideas and tips from others' journeys, a great sense of community and comradery, and hopefully some fun and laughs along the way.

8. Share some words of wisdom with your teammates. "If you always do what you've always done, you'll continue to get what you've always gotten."

I am so sorry to say this, but can you remove me from this challenge. Something has come up and I know I won’t be able to finish them. I’m so sorry.

Pauladner
Weigh In Day: Sunday , April 23rd
PW (Previous Weight): 142.2 lb
CW (Current Weight): 139.1 lb

Hello everyone! These is what I did right this month that helped me to drop some pounds.

1) High protein diet;
2) Food intake of 1200 calories p/day;
3) 7 km walking p/day;
4) no breakfast, but I always have my coffee with hazelnut cream;😉
5) 3 or 4 days during this month I fasted a full day.

I wish all Dowsizers a healthy weight loss for May. Thanks!