My name is Chad. I'm 40 and live in Kingwood, TX with my wife of 15 years and 4 (soon to be 5) boys. It is great to find this group on MFP!

I got up to 275 lb in November of 2010, but did't start MFP until August of 2011 when I was around 270. My immediate goal is to 235, but that is more of a short term view. I'd really like to get down to 200 - 210. So far, I've lost ~20 lbs and I feel better than I have in a long time. MFP has showed me that to really lose weight, you have to do both: Diet and Exercise. My exercise of choice is running, but I need to start strength training to show my body that I mean business...it's getting used to the running routine.

I really see the benefit of MFP because when I'm honest about tracking what I eat, I can do two things: First, I can see just how much food/calories I can put away...WOW, I'm a pig...and I like to eat!! So I know that for me to "eat like I want" and still lose weight, I have to exercise more and burn lots and lots of calories. Secondly the food diary/calorie tracking helps me recognize patterns and habits, which gives me the chance to maybe throw a wrench in it to help me avoid a busted week or month. For instance, I saw that I consistently did decent during the week, but my weekends were atrocious!! During the week, I'm at work and able to run at lunch practically every day if I wanted to. But on the weekend, that was a different story. I was eating too much and not exercising at all. As a result, my weight loss stalled. To address it, I've been trying to run at least once on the weekends as well. Sometimes I succeed, sometimes I don't.

I am a notorious yo-yo'er in fitness: both physical AND spiritual! I find it amazing how closely our physical and spiritual fitness are related. More often than not, if I let myself slide for too long diet-wise, I also find that my spiritual life is sliding as well. I've done fasts before which really show that I use food as a crutch, and that I like to do/eat what I want, and it is good to deny myself on occasion to give me that focus that I need in my life.

I find that running is a great time to pray, and I have had many a conversation with God during those runs. In fact, I want to start a run here in Kingwood called the Rosary Run where we would all gather in the old St. Martha's parking lot and run the "big block" around Kingwood (right at 10K) all the while, praying the rosary. I keep thinking that this should be an official road race and I even created an event on RunKeeper, but I haven't fleshed out any details yet. Too overwhelming....

Anyway, that's my ramble. It's good to find this group. (p.s. I knew I had to join this group because it was formed on my birthday!)

God bless you all, and if ya'll could keep us in your prayers, I'd be grateful. My wife is due in 2 weeks.

Thanks,

Chad

My name is Chad. I'm 40 and live in Kingwood, TX with my wife of 15 years and 4 (soon to be 5) boys. It is great to find this group on MFP!

I got up to 275 lb in November of 2010, but did't start MFP until August of 2011 when I was around 270. My immediate goal is to 235, but that is more of a short term view. I'd really like to get down to 200 - 210. So far, I've lost ~20 lbs and I feel better than I have in a long time. MFP has showed me that to really lose weight, you have to do both: Diet and Exercise. My exercise of choice is running, but I need to start strength training to show my body that I mean business...it's getting used to the running routine.

I really see the benefit of MFP because when I'm honest about tracking what I eat, I can do two things: First, I can see just how much food/calories I can put away...WOW, I'm a pig...and I like to eat!! So I know that for me to "eat like I want" and still lose weight, I have to exercise more and burn lots and lots of calories. Secondly the food diary/calorie tracking helps me recognize patterns and habits, which gives me the chance to maybe throw a wrench in it to help me avoid a busted week or month. For instance, I saw that I consistently did decent during the week, but my weekends were atrocious!! During the week, I'm at work and able to run at lunch practically every day if I wanted to. But on the weekend, that was a different story. I was eating too much and not exercising at all. As a result, my weight loss stalled. To address it, I've been trying to run at least once on the weekends as well. Sometimes I succeed, sometimes I don't.

I am a notorious yo-yo'er in fitness: both physical AND spiritual! I find it amazing how closely our physical and spiritual fitness are related. More often than not, if I let myself slide for too long diet-wise, I also find that my spiritual life is sliding as well. I've done fasts before which really show that I use food as a crutch, and that I like to do/eat what I want, and it is good to deny myself on occasion to give me that focus that I need in my life.

I find that running is a great time to pray, and I have had many a conversation with God during those runs. In fact, I want to start a run here in Kingwood called the Rosary Run where we would all gather in the old St. Martha's parking lot and run the "big block" around Kingwood (right at 10K) all the while, praying the rosary. I keep thinking that this should be an official road race and I even created an event on RunKeeper, but I haven't fleshed out any details yet. Too overwhelming....

Anyway, that's my ramble. It's good to find this group. (p.s. I knew I had to join this group because it was formed on my birthday!)

God bless you all, and if ya'll could keep us in your prayers, I'd be grateful. My wife is due in 2 weeks.

Thanks,

Chad

Prayers for your wife! I hope she has a quick, easy delivery. How old are your other boys? Mine are 9, 8, 5 and almost 3 (he'll be 3 on Friday). They are so much fun! If we have any more children, I hope to have more boys.

Welcome, pumpkinoodle! I also tried the WeighDown Ministries. You are right, it was missing something and I ended up feeling horrible about myself. I have found great friends on MFP who are supportive even when I am struggling.

Great news, Chad!

Hello, I'm Thomas. I'm a convert to Catholicism. I got married last aummer, we don't have any kids yet.
I've decided it's time to loose weight. It's only going to get harder as i get older, so now is the time.

Welcome to the group, Thomas! When did you convert? From what denomination?

convert here.
raised evangelical than episcopal, then Anglican. Married a cradle catholic and did profesion of faith. 22 years later of being an occasional Sunday catholic, now I'm living my faith.

I love Jesus,the catholic faith and Mary. I love Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament,prayers and the Divine Mercy Devotion.I want to help bring home to the catholic church the lost sheep out there through serving in my parish ministries,some are Emaus.Stewardship,Crown Financial Bible Study,Welcome Table,Women of Grace Foundational Study and volunteering to organize a youth group,not all at the same time ,of course. Working in Ministries has made a difference in my life,I feel like I work for Jesus! Amen.

Hello everybody!

I am a Roman Catholic priest stationed in Kent, UK. I wanted to loose wait but one of the parishioners told me to make a fundraiser of it. For every pound I loose they will pledge a pound (GBP Sterling) to raise money for the parish. I have never tried to loose wait before. I never really thought about it until the doctor told me that I now have high blood pressure and am borderline diabetic. Enough of that!

I used to be terribly skinny when I was assigned in the Philippines for 4 years. I was transferred to Texas on the Mexican border where I had my fill of lard-flour tortillas, sour cream, and cheese. After eating rice, fish, and veggies in coconut milk for years in Asia, this change was violent to my system. I put on 30 pounds in a few months and haven't changed since, until this spring. So far I have lost 33 pounds and I am going for 100!!! Woohoo! Er I mean Alleluia!

Good to connect with other Catholics trying to loose weight.

"Bless me father for I have sinned. I ate a whole pizza."
"Hmm, I know, I saw your food diary online, and was just waiting for you to fess up."

Glad to see a variety of people here! Let's get losing some weight!

" Therefore honor God with your body."

(1 cor 6)

Hi! I too am a cradle Catholic and hope to raise three Cradle Catholics! I wish I knew more Catholics Online. There is just so much negativity aimed at my beloved church that many times I stray away from online forums. I am so glad to see both men and women in this group who love the church as much as I.

I just started and I need new buddies. Friends are welcome.

Also, it was great reading that there are people here in Houston in this group! Strange how being from the same town makes the web seem less infinite.

Mickey

Hi my name is Andrea, I'm a 38 year old married mom of two teens: 19 and 17 years old.
I married my high school sweetheart! We have had our ups and downs, but with God's grace, love and forgiveness our Sacramental marriage is ALIVE and kicking after many years of being like bones in a "desert".

I was a cradle-catholic minus confirmation. We stopped attending Mass after both kids had their First communion. I suppose I left the church to find my "own" way....but through trials and tribulations God rekindled a fire in my heart and I now strive to follow Him each day and be an example of Jesus to my family and friends.

I felt a tugging from the Holy Spirit, I began RCIA classes to re-learn about my Catholic faith and I came back! I am being confirmed this weekend at the Easter Vigil Mass. I am so happy to share this beautiful faith with others.

I've struggled with up and down weight loss success and failures. I want to get healthy and crave God, not food or anything else!

It warms my heart to hear when my sisters and brothers have returned. A good marriage will have struggles and joys. It is a blessing that your relationship has experienced both and still remains intact. Welcome home!

I live in rural Tennessee where my children have had to defend their faith from other children who do not understand the Catholic faith. I grew up in Memphis where there is a large Catholic population. Just 100 miles away is like a whole other world. It is perplexing how "Christians" can behave so unChristlike to Catholics in the rural south!

Welcome to the family!!

Hello everyone,

Just popping by to introduce myself! I'm Brenda, married mom of 3, cradle catholic. I had a major reversion 3 years ago and have been receiving/partaking of the Sacraments regularly ever since. I am now becoming more active in my parish and just loving it. I've always had a weight problem, but through Grace, am feeling ready to make some very big changes.

So extremely happy to find this group!!! I'm a "newbie" I just came into the church last Easter after 8 years of studying up on what was right and where I truly needed to be with Christ and here I am. I found a sense of peace that I have never known simply by walking through the Parish doors. No doubt that it is a Holy place!