dstevens19 Member

So inspiring! So far I've had: Breakfast hash with Sweet potato, Yukon gold, red bell pepper, red onion, poblano chili mushrooms, garlif Lunch Salad w/ napa and purple cabbage, carrot, zucchini, garlic Dinner will be stuffed bell peppers and chopped Italian salad w/ romaine, artichokes, tomatoes, cucumber, zucchini,…

Check out Jessica Smith TV on YouTube. She has a workout especially for people with bad knees. I've used it at home when I can't get to the gym. I'm also trying to avoid knee replacement for a while longer. Don't do anything that hurts in the knee or under the kneecap. Wall squats at 30-45 degrees also work for me but be…

I still count cals because it's my best point of reference. On MFP, I get 1480/day. On low carb days, I hit 1200 or fewer; on high carb days, I'll hit 1400-1500. So the numbers still work.

Recipe ideas-- I love to cook but I'm trying to keep it pretty simple for this first month. I cook a bunch of chicken tenders each weekend and use them for lunches and afternoon snacks during the week. Add some veggies and 1/4 an avocado and it's a good low carb day. I LOVE lamb chops and a couple small ones with a salad…

Hi, I'm Debra. 51, life long dieter. How do you start? Just start. For exercise, Tell yourself "just 15 minutes." Don't overdo it. Then add 5 minutes each week. Intervals burn the best calories for the time invested. As for food choices, log what you eat in a week without dieting. Then make small changes each week that…

I'm also 51 and have been finely successful with MFP. I still have about 12 lbs to lose and finding it slow going. Feel free to friend me here. I have a great group of supportive friends here and I'm sure you'll find others in the same boat. Cheers!

Your post gave me motivation. I have felt some of the same things you are feeling and sometimes just want to give up.but reading your post and the beautiful, generous advice of our fellow members is so inspiring. Good for you for reaching out, which tells me you don't really want to give up. In addition to the good advice…

Welcome! You've come to a good place for motivation, accountability and friendships. You certainly have a lot of obstacles but your self motivation is an asset. You have a big reason to keep going. Are you able to exercise? I'd start slow and easy at first, then work your way up. Do some cardio but add some light…

Please consider the fact that at 5'9" 135 lbs may be too light for your frame. Rather than putting a number on it right now, see how you feel when you get closer. Your body will change along the way and you may find another number is better for you. All the best as you change your health for the better.

Hi, I'm Debra. I started MFP a couple years ago and have slowly lost 30 lbs by changing my lifestyle rather than dieting. I'm 51, have 2 boys mostly out of the house, a husband, career, and am pretty active. Feel free to friend me; I have a bunch of friends in this age group who are so supportive -- they have been a big…

I have no idea what Zombie Run includes but I vote you add strength training to your cardio routine. It will help you build and define muscles, which run more calories and make you more shapely. Good luck!

Sorry ... what is plan z?

Congratulations to you for your consistency and focus on your goals. You re an inspiration to so many people today!

I've used my Fitbit Flex for about 3 weeks. I like the calories burned, steps, and sleep report. If you synch it to MFP,they recommend that you log food on MFP, as well as exercise that doesn't involve steps (spin, swimming, elliptical). Log steps on Fitbit. I didn't like the synch functionality so I've kept them separate…

Hello and welcome. I'm Debra. Nearly 51 and have lost 27 lbs over the past year. The support of MFP has been a key to my success. Feel free to friend me.

I was also motivated by my approaching 50th. Now I'm nearly 51 and 26 lbs lighter. It has taken longer than I thought it would but along the way I've really changed my thinking. This is not a diet -- it's an investment in my health and quality of life. Best of luck to you.

Free food isn't free. Meaning just because it's at the office or just because it's leftovers doesn't mean I'm obligated to eat it. Every bite has a cost. Also, SEC -- stop eating crap!

I hear ya! We had so many leftovers but it's not a crime to get rid of them. I threw away stuff no one was going to miss and I put out of site those items I had trouble controlling. Sent cookies to work with DH and just generally tried to create an Environment for success. We have 1 more party but I volunteered to bring a…

Usually make a balsamic or mustard vinaigrette but for taco salad, I mix light sour cream with salsa for a creamy, spicy dressing.

You went from cute to stunning. And I'm sure your health is much improved, too. Great to see you enjoying the payoff from all that hard work.

My gym offered free orientation to their machines -- a trainer walked me through every machine, wrote down the settings, my starting weight levels on each and made a chart for me to reference next time. Ask if they offer this service. Also, see if you can barter training services with someone else at the school. You could…

Just barely 5'8". I started at 188 on Jan 1 and I'm well on my way to 155. But. Seem to be stuck around 164.

Knitting, we have similar stories, I turned 50 in Feb and finally got serious about getting healthy. My only caution is that it has been much harder, much slower to lose the weight from this aging body. I thought a steady 1 lb a week would be easy. But the reality is that at 50, it may not happen that way. Even if you are…

Scottsdale YMCA

Debra - nice to meet you.

I just turned 50 this year but I've had night sweats, forgetfulness and poor sleep for a couple of years. This year my periods started going wacky-- nothing one month, twice the next heavy then light, lots of cramps then no cramps. Haven't noticed any hair changes but I'll watch for it. Could just be that my eyesight is so…

This is very helpful -- I've been wondering the same thing. I'm getting close to goal. But I've yo-yoed my entire adult life. I don't think I know how to do maintenance! If anyone else has some advice, I'd love to hear it. Thanks!

Don't stress about it. Be proud that you managed your day well. Drink a big glass of water and go to bed.

Your profile says your 58 -- weight loss tends to go slower as we get older. I'm 50, work out 5-6 days a week, eat 1420 cals/day (baseline) and I'm losing about 2-3 lbs a month. It's slow going. I've hit plateaus that.lasted over a month. But I've permanently shed 25 lbs of FAT from my body. Just try it for a month -…

I ran as a teen -- even competed on a track team. But bad knees ended that. I have to stay low impact. Can't do deep squats or lunges and have to wear a knee brace. So annoying. Best of luck to you runners