Hi my name is Krystal, my favorite place to walk is my treadmill watching a show. I know it’s not very interesting but it does get the job done. There’s not a whole lot of places to walk nearby where I live .. unless I drive out to get to them.

Step goal: 10k
I literally just bumped it up because I already hit my old goal of 8k by 10am this morning. So I thought maybe I should push my limits a little bit

Welcome! to the new Shape Shifter team members, and welcome back to anyone reconnecting to the group. It’s a new month, with a clean slate for all of us!

My name is Patrice. I’m a 57 year old woman, living in northern Virginia, close to Washington, DC in the USA. I was always active growing up, and maintained a fairly consistent weight. I definitely gained weight during times of stress, but I was usually able to correct the gains by adding more exercise.

Eventually, life got busier and more stressful due to work, children, additional studies, and community involvement); and, I gradually gained weight over time. So, in December 2019, I started working with a nutritionist, who recommended MFP as a place to log my food intake so she could see the meals I was eating and check my macro-nutrition balance of carbs, fat, and protein. I weighed 168 when I started.

In the beginning, I hardly used the app to track my meals and exercise, but the nutritionist gave me some recommendations (e.g., helpful food substitutions), and I became more aware of the things I needed to improve, such as reigning in portion sizes, limiting late-evening snacking, eating a healthy snack before cooking dinner to prevent grazing, etc.). My package of 8 sessions ended but I continued using MFP and built better tracking habits. I started participating in the general community forums in April 2020, and lost about 35 pounds by April 2021. At that point, I was in the ‘normal’ BMI range (at ~5’3”) and felt much better.

I joined the F2F group in May 2021 to motivate me to reach my goal weight of 125 (~midpoint of a normal BMI), which I achieved in August or early September 2021. I maintained my target range of 125-130 for about a year and then my weight gradually increased while I was focusing on other areas of my life that I want to improve. I’m back at the high end of the BMI and have about 15 pounds to lose to reach my goal (again). I am working to build daily nutrition and movement habits to maintain my optimal weight. I’d like to build muscle, increase my core strength and overall flexibility, and improve my balance.

I like to row on the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers when the weather is warm. I also play soccer once or twice a week, and my husband and I share a 30-minute personal trainer appointment at our local YMCA twice a week. I need to eat healthier meals and make other nutrition improvements but, generally, I’m pleased with my progress — Practice makes … better! Best wishes to everyone as we start our March together.

Sunday ~ March 03
Good morning Shape Shifters. Yesterday was a good day. I went on my walk in the morning and figured out the last little loop I wanted to add to the walk. It is so much fun now. I think the first version of this walk was only about an hour long, but I kept wanted to explore and try out new trails. It is now a 2 hour walk with lots of small forest paths and I also found a deep ditch with water yesterday. Unfortunately, the water is really low so I am pretty sure it will be dry in summer. I did my gym rings in the afternoon which I am still enjoying and I washed Tinus' blankets.
Happy Monday everyone

Name: FWSWCindy
Weigh-in day: Monday
PW: 195.3
CW: 194.4
LTD: 35.6
SW: 230