Hi and congrats on starting! I started with MFP in March and it has completely ramped up the way i eat, how much I excercise etc..
Since January 1st I have lost 62 LBS and counting, my total loss goal is 125 LBS (for now!)
I am doing this to be a lighter, stronger and more balanced rider. I have have recenlty hit my halfway point and my "reward" was finally stepping a foot into the stirrup on my 3 yr old colt. It was the most amazing feeling ! I want to start training him for cutting, so we both need to be in shape and fit....Taking one day at a time to do so~!

Me, me!!! I used to show Paints once upon a time. I haven't shown in a long time but I would love to get into competitive trail riding or SHOT. First, I must get fit again!! With every pound I gained, I lost confidence in myself. I used to be strong in the saddle and now I'm a weak sack of potatoes. Not for long though!

Hi Everyone... I have owned and ridden horses since I was 13. Had a traumatic head injury (not horse related) years ago, and am just back in and enjoying riding again.
I just brought a new mare home, and am taking her to our first western pleasure show in Sept

Hi! I ride both Western and English--have found it very useful over the years to cross-train our horses. Love doing *everything* from dressage, to reining, to Western Pleasure, to eventing and competitive trail riding. I can totally relate to many of your posts! It's so comforting to know that I'm not alone. I pretty much gave up riding several years ago after having a wreck on my horse that was totally my fault and can be directly attributed to being overweight, not being balanced and having no upper body strength. It could have hurt me (and *worse* my horse) permanently! So for the past too many years, I convinced myself that I was satisfied being a horse show Mom and supporting my daughter through her riding career and joining her on the occasional trail ride. Well no more! My daughter is at college now, and I'm more than ready to get "back in the saddle" for reals! I recently moved and there is a very active riding club in the new area I live in and I'd love to join, but am too embarrassed at my current weight. So I'm using that (*and* some competitive trail rides this Summer *and* getting back to dressage training *and* wanting a decent picture of me with my horses that I'm not disgusted with!) to fuel my incentive to get in shape. Plus it helps that my poor ponies (who are used to carrying my slim daughter around) look back and glare at me when I get up in the saddle! So I have lots of motivation!