Welcome to the Group

Welcome! We would love get to know you, so please tell us a little bit about yourself. You can choose any format you'd like, but most of us here share some or all of the following details:

1. History with weight loss:
2. History with Calorie Count:
3. Reason for joining this group:
4. Some interesting details about yourself, such as your job, your family, your pets and your interests:

And now just go ahead and make that first post!

Hi,

I joined a week ago and decided to give this a try.  I have lost 7 lbs. so far and need to lose another 25.  It's been a roller coast ride of emotional eating that has put me in this position and I"M FED UP...and want to get off this ride.  I decided that incorporatiing daily exercise/not exceeding 1500 cals/choosing wisely the most nutritious foods (and ones I like) is the healthy plan for me.

Since I'm an emotional eater I shall try very hard to focus on something more important than stuffing my face when feeling bored, depressed, lonely, moody, tired etc etc. 

I look forward to hearing from all to motivate and encourage me as it's been an awful "tug of war" with me for many years.  I'm 56, in a new relationship of 4 years so there are more adjustments to my life.  My partner and I are going to Hawaii March/09 and this time I want to look good in my two piece suit.  Overall, I'm thankful to have great health and in my past have taught aerobics and have a diploma in Fitness & Nutrition but I'm h uman and like the rest...falter along the way.

Good luck to everyone,

Cheers to all,

Maureen from B.C. Canada

Hi, my name is Hadessah but please call me Dess. I've been around CC since Feb 08 and managed to lose 14lbs up to June, since then I have regained 7 and lost 3 of that with the result that I am 10lbs lighter than I was when I first joined. If you have read through my Bio you will know that I am in Ireland and am 56 years of age. I had faltered on my resolve since June but have just this last few weeks found a new strength and am back on track to the new me!!! My emotional eating isn't yet under the tight control that it should be but I do find that I tend to choose fruit, yoghurt or crispbreads if I weaken. It is still difficult. The worst problem I have is that I want the weight to just drop off and forget that it has taken me the largest part of 30 years to get where I am -(222lbs starting weight) - and I expect to lose it overnight! 
Since I have my partner to consider when cooking I have to stick with the healthy eating option which can be difficult as he is a red meat man. My downfall with this is that I can load my plate with veggies but I just love the gravy from his meat dishes so what happens?? You guessed it I have to have gravy. Can't not have gravy. So I've had to learn to mop it up with my veg and not with potatoes or biscuits etc.
I could do with all the support that I can get to help me get to my goal of 154 by August of 2009. I know just the dress that I want to wear for my great/grand neice's wedding day and it just won't look good on me as I am.

Hello.  I'm trying to ramp up my activity and motivation today.

I'm 53 years old and was thin and trim for the first half of my life.  In the last 20 years, I gained a lot of weight and got about 70 pounds too much on my 5'7" frame.  I am also diabetic and have reduced kidney function as a result of an infection when I was 22.

In the past year, I lost 40 pounds (it was 48 but  regained some recently).  I really improved my overall fitness, and was able to go off insulin this summer.

I usually walk 30 miles per week, and I do some weights twice per week at an exercise club.

I journaled in a book for about 6 months in detail, and that was a great help.  I switched over to logging everything with CalorieCount this past Spring.  I have found myself a bit less disciplined this past month, and I think that has really hurt my results.  I have been eating too much lately.

I'm a systems analyst and project manager, and I also teach part time.  I hope to reach my goal of 155 pounds by December 31.  I am at 185 now, but was at 176 a while back.  I injured my rotator cuff which slowed me down a bit.

I look forward to lots of motivation and ideas here!

Greetings.  Why am I joining a "50 somethings" group?  I could have sworn I was only 30-something, but on my DL it says I'm 55, so here I am.  Losing weight is not as easy as it used to be.  Most of my life I was thin and active.  But I slowly gained a lot of weight that just didn't seem to want to leave.  Then last year on WW I lost 40 lbs. (yeah!) but about a pound a month has returned, so now I have to lose 10 lbs. to get back to my goal.  I'd like to lose an additional 10 more before my oldest son gets married next March.  I have two grown sons that live across the country, & two fur-kids now.  I'm a digital illustrator, so I sit on my you-know-what all day at the computer.  About the only exercise I get is to walk my two huskies each day.  I'm hoping to spark myself back into action by joining something new.

Well, I am among many.  I'm 57, menopause is all done.  I got rid of the hot flashes and in its place received 30 additional pounds.  I believe the phrase is "barrell chested". You know the type - chicken legs and then a round ball on top.  I need to shape up or reshape.  I work for the Department of Corrections in Wisconsin and love my job but it's at a desk behind my computer all day.  Then home to make supper, get in my recliner and get on my home computer.  I have six children, 5 grandchildren, two cats and all are healthy and happy most of the time.  My mom lives with us and she is 83 and can be a challenge but mostly gives us many laughs.  We live way out in the country and I would walk in the am but my fear of coyotes keeps me at bay.  I lift weights and excercise seldom so I'm also hoping that this website will give me some motivation.

 

Well, I'm 58, retired living the good life in Florida.  I have been on diets, weight watchers, etc. since my 20's.  I need to lose 40 lbs.  I have just been diagnosed with sleep apnea and put on an apap machine.  It is great, because I have so much more energy.  So, I'm trying to become motivated and get healthy.  My husband is 61 and started seriously exercising about 18 months ago.  He has lost 37 lbs. and is really building muscle (can't believe it at 61).  He is so conscientious, works out 4 days a week and swims a mile each of the other three.  I feel guilty watching him.  I always have other priorities, laundry, pay bills, cleaning, gardening.  I really want to permanently lose this weight this time.  I've tinkered with calorie count.about for about 6 months, but nothing committed.  Any help getting and keeping motivated would be appreciated

Hello Everyone,

I just turned  56 this past August. I have been a member of CC since October 2007. My reason for joining CC, is because I was reading The N.Y. Times at work and saw an article, that gave credit to this woman loosing weight. Prior to turning 50 I have never had a weight problem, I always weighed in under the weight suggested for my age. So I figure it was a hormonal thing. Anywho, I use to live in Tampa, Florida, and I would exercise, and I did the Atkins diet, which I did loose weight. I lost 30 lbs within a month. I moved to Delaware, and I broke my foot within 2 months of moving here, so I was on my back for 6-8 weeks. Couldn't exercise because I wore a cast for the next 4 weeks, then I couldn't exercise as I found it difficult to stand up without falling. Thru much prayer and supplication, I have gained complete control of my foot. So I joined CC, learned how to eat healthy, and exercise. I did really well until the last week of August, went out to eat and had a desert, the next weekend I went to Philly and ate all kinds of things that were bad. Then I only exercised 3 times that week. I generally like to get up at 4:40am and go walking. But I must admit I have been lazy,well not really lazy, my responsiblities  increased at work -- which sometimes makes it difficult to walk in the mornings. So I have put on a couple of pounds, and my blood pressure went back up, but I walked yesterday, and today!!! That is a start. Thus here I am at CC. I love this website, because I don't stress when I eat things that aren't healthy I just get back on track.  I live with my adult daughter, I work in a law firm. I love my job, and I love living life!!! Life is good at 56, I would like to have a healthy life, for the remainder of my days,so that I can see my daughter get her Ph.D. That is about it, thanks for having me. Oh yes one important thing.... I did reach my goal of 152 lbs, it was hard but I stuck to it....didn't mess up too bad until then.  My way of life is "You can't make yourself happy by causing other people misery" ........ 

    

Hi group!

I am a 44 year old woman, 5'2" and 143 pounds.  I have yo-yo dieted all my life.  As of three years ago I was down to 125 pounds, thanks to Atkins and a running program.  However, my desire for carbs kicked in and my knees gave out at the same time!

I joined CC last fall and have been an intermittent user.  I am joining this group because research says that people who make lifestyle changes stick with them if they have a peer group.  Hello peers!

I have taken up biking -- 5 or so times a week at around 8-10 miles per trip.  I am looking for something I can do during the Minnesota winter -- definitely NOT biking!  I am also looking for ways to curb my desire to eat much more than I need.  Logging in my food helps because sometimes I am just to lazy to go to the computer to log something in, so I decide not to eat.  

I have two (almost) adult children and a spouse whose major workout is hours of gardening, but it works for him.  I am a professor at a small college, on sabbatical this year so this is a good time to get some changes in place.

I look forward to working with all of you to develop a healthier lifestyle.

 

Hi there everyone!!!!This will be a challenge for me. I haven't really tried to lose this weight in a while. Last time I really tried, on Nutra system, I lost about 20 pounds then stopped. And no big surprise, I have put all of it back on again. GRRRRRRR!!!! I really want to lose it now for health reasons. I weighed 194 lbs on Sunday Sept. 14 and that was it...NO MORE. I realize that I need to do it now and not just lose the weight but change my life style. I am in no hurry as I am in this for the long run. So, slow and steady weight loss will keep me interested in this program. And yesterday, someone at work said that most people who keep food logs do really well.

I am not sure, but I thought I had joined this group before.  My name is not on the member list, though... so a little something about me...

1. History with weight loss:

    I've been overweight for about twenty years.  Now, I need to lose about 50 lbs. 
2. History with Calorie Count:

    Joined in July of this year, and I am happy with whittling down my weight while improving my health through CC+.  It's awesome.
3. Reason for joining this group:

   My daughter reccomended it.
4. Some interesting details about yourself, such as your job, your family, your pets and your interests:

   I am a teacher.  I love doing things with computers.  I'm 57.  I have turned from a young, physically fit woman to an older woman (auntie as they say here) terribly overweight living in Japan for more than twenty years.  The internet has made my life so much better in many ways.  I can enjoy my native country, the USA, and my Japanese life because of it.  And, I can get fluent English daily through a variety of ways on the net.  Other than that, I have four grown kids, 7 grandkids and lots of friends on several continents.  At the moment, my passion is hiking and being a guide in the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage route which is a world heritage site running through my town.  It has a lifetime of studying, walking and guiding to look forward to.  I just started running a couple of months ago at my daughter's suggestion.  I got some of those fancy Nike shoes with an iPod that talks to the shoes by a sensor.  I am gradually increasing my running distance and decreasing my times.  For those who haven't tried running or walking, it is a great way to stay in shape and burn off those excess calories.  My goal is to lose 50 lbs over the next year, and I expect to reach it by April of 2009.

Howdy to all...

I'm happy to see a group for those of us who are not so young in body but hopefully not so old in mind and/or spirit!

1. History with weight loss: Minimal.  I've been lucky to have been relatively slender most of my life. However, my 40s clobbered me, and I'm now about 40 pounds over where I need to be to be healthy. 

2. History with Calorie Count: I signed up a couple of years ago but procrastinated & told myself I could go it on my own.  So here I am, 6 pounds heavier than I was 2 years ago.  I need help!

3. Reason for joining this group: To get to know people in my age group who are in the same or similar situations.

4. Some interesting details about yourself, such as your job, your family, your pets and your interests: I am a wife, mom, grandmother, daughter & sister.  My family loves to get together and that always involves cooking.  LOTS of cooking.  Cooking involves sampling.  Sampling creates excess weight!

I am a school librarian.  I will retire in 2009 and am most anxious to be healthy before that time. 

I adopted a kitten this summer and he and I are the best of friends.  For hobbies, I do a lot of reading (ties to the profession!), sewing, knitting, crocheting, and gardening.  I would like to get into spinning and weaving.

I'm looking forward to "getting to know you"!

 

 

Hi Everybody-

My name is Diane.  I have been using CC on and off for about a year.  When I use it an am mindful of what I'm putting in my mouth things continue in a healthy manner because it requires me to be accountable and I like to get "A"s when I don't use it, I don't pay attention.

My weight has been between 150 and 210 from age 15 on. I am 5'7". I look and feel good in size 10 clothes at about 155. I am fairly muscular. I went to WW as a young adult and they suggested a goal weight of 135 which sounded insane to me (I weighed 132 when I was 11) so I never went back.

In 1986 when I was 29 I stopped drinking and gained 30 pounds in year (210 is my highest weight) and a friend started going to OA and I joined her. I liked it and no one was pushy about weights. I also went to a doctor because I realized one of my problems was I really didn't have any idea how to feed myself! How do you become and adult and not know what is right to eat, I thought? It was shocking. The doc was decent and  as I was a vegetarian, gave me a diabetic diet to model good portions and type of foods to eat and it really helped me.

I started walking and then added dance aerobics and yoga and for the next 10 years was able to happily keep my weight between 155 and 160 through 2 moves, 3 job changes,  a marriage and a divorce even though I stopped going to OA.

Then I had a car accident in 2000 and totaled my car and set off a chain of problems with my low back and hip.  I have not been able to exercise consistently since then because of chronic issues with those joints (although I do teach yoga and believe I'd be on disability if it weren't for what I've learned teaching.) Add to that menopause.

Last fall I was 168. This summer after I ran an 18 day residential Yoga teacher training program and came home at 163. When I went to the doc for my annual 'poke and prod' I weighed 180. Ugh!!! I had gained 17 pounds between June 22nd and Sept 13th. Unbelievable. I knew I had gotten loose with the sweets and fats but I didn't think I' gone quite that wild..... 

So now I am back on what I know works for me. All the low GI fruits and  veggies, whole grains and beans I want and 5 servings of refined carb, "meat"/non-fat dairy and oils a day. I went for a bike ride and went dancing last week on top of teaching 3 yoga classes and I am seeing results already without going stupid hungry. For me its about quality of food and exercise. Or at least it was before menopause. We'll see what happens now!

I have a couple of cats that I adore. My partner is a sweet man from Holland who I have been with for about 4 years. He's a pharmacist. We travel a lot and generally have a good life. I want to keep it that way.

So, good to get to read what you all posted and get to know you all a bit. I hope I answered all the questions! :) Diane 

 

Well, well, I finally got to introduce myself. Since I'm not very skilled at using computer stuff.....but I normally find a way.....

I'm 51, Mexican (I live in Mexico actually), mother of three, a girl (just married) and two boys, all of them in their twenties.

As a child I was as thin as can be, but when I turned 14 I began gaining weight like crazy. I was sent to Illinois for a year (in order to learn English), and besides picking up the language, I "picked up" 40 pounds. Since then it´s been a nightmare. I´ve gone through everything except surgery: dieting, pills, OA, and it was all a waste of time and money.

I would like to join you because I came to the conclusion that losing weight is a matter of eating less calories. It is also a matter of making wise decisions about eating, and keeping focused and RELAXED. Anxiety was a factor that was affecting my weight.

I'm learning to deal with all this, and I'll need a lot of motivation and support from you guys.

I'm recently divorced, in the middle of menopause, living on my own. No pets. I love theater, my job as a coordinator in a language center, and kids (can't wait to become a grandma).

I need some time to get my emotions settled, and I'm keeping myself busy taking care of my health and body, although exercising is not my favorite activity. That´s definitely my challenge.

So......here I am.......with my heart in it..

Hi! I am 55 years young and have never had a weight problem until about 1 1/2 years ago when menapause hit. My normal weight had always been between 110 and 120, but now I am 150 and I still eat as little as I did my whole life! I joined a gym last year and worked very hard doing both cardio and strenght training for 6 months and never lost even l lb! I got discouraged and quit. I am now on bio identical hormone therapy and my severe hot flashes are just about gone. I feel tired and unmotivated almost all of the time. My thryroid is fine, according to my Dr. but I am insulin resistant. I am at a lose as to how to lose weight. I have always been a small eater. It is now 3 in the afternoon and I have only consumed 330 calories. This is not new-so when people tell me that you have to eat more in order to lose, I say, "Not for me". I tried that and gained 7 more pounds. I had increased my protein as my gym suggested. Does anyone have any ideas? I am really stuck, tired and discouraged.

Hi there!  WEll, i have done every diet known and at 51 and having gained it back i am trying again.  I have eneough information to be a great personal trainer and diet consultant...the problem is i eat behind closed doors.  The intentions start off great every day.  I have started an exercise program again and am trying to keep it going.  The "menopause" has hit and weight has appeared in new areas.  More than ever the weight needs to be lost for health and because it inhibits how i love my life.  I am so embarrased i don't like to go out much.  I will cancel plans in a minute when the idea of getting dressed overwhelms me.  Ok, eneough for now.

1. History with weight loss: Done just about every diet. Hate Atkins and South Beach - can't eat that much meat and miss the fruit. Weight watchers - why am I paying them when I do all the work! Calorie counter has all the features of weight watchers without the cost. Mayo Clinic diet - Scarsdale (does that date me???). I had struggled with weight since my first child was born 28 years ago. When I hit 50, I added 40-50 more pounds and well, here I am!

2. History with Calorie Count: My son and his wife started on Calorie counter. I joined because it is convenient and free. Journaling seems to be the only real way I can control my diet. I am not losing fast - only 10 pounds in 4 months. I have between 40 and 50 more to go.

3. Reason for joining this group: I am not being consistent on my own. Tried to get my spouse to join in the process, and he says he is involved, but... I need to connect.

4. Some interesting details about yourself, such as your job, your family, your pets and your interests: Grand fish, grand dogs. Have outlilved my pets. Would like to have another dog, but I travel and work long hours. Is that really fair to  a faithful friend to leave them alone that much?

1. History with weight loss: my weight now is 150, I have gained around 25 over the past 2 years just by eating the same and walking the same! After the menopause hit earlier this year my body shape changed too, and around 12 of those extra pounds landed in places I have never had fat before! I hated going up a size but now that size is looking tight!

2. History with Calorie Count:None .... am I allowed here??

3. Reason for joining this group: Motivation to continue to lose wieght and go to the gym

4. Some interesting details about yourself, such as your job, your family, your pets and your interests: Single and 53, divorced 8 years, 2 adult children, so home alone. I think I eat more healthily now than I ever did, partly as I knew I could just eat sandwiches for all meals if I did not watch out! So fish every 4 days, more veggies and fruit than ever before. I started to go swimming and to the gym around 2 months ago. I am still a beginner there, no instructors so you just get on with it! I try and do 30 mins on either the cross trainer or the treadmill (not run yet, but walk at the highest hill!) I have now started on the weights too. Work is on my feet all day, the doctor told me to walk more when I visited her this year about the night sweats.... i bought a pedometer, it shows sometimes 13000, walking more is not the answer! (Though I accept that this is the wrong type of walking!). Interests include computer (of course) , painting amongst others.

New to this computer talk.    I'm 57, have 13 grandchildren, happily married, work as a registered nurse in my local hospital emergency department.  I need to loose 58 pounds yet, so far have lost 5.  I just started eating right and regular exercise.  Already I feel a lot better.  Totally gave up sweets, they just don't taste.  Lots of fresh veggies, and fiber.  I've always drank a lot of water.  I don't smoke, rarely drink any kind of alcohol or beer.  I'm a hard worker but I know I can't eat like I did 30 years ago.  I need lots of encouragement and support.  My daughter and ex daughter in law live in different states and they are in the "get healthy" regimen with me.  I have a large frame, broad shoulders and am 5'9.  (I shrunk an inch.)  I've known how to loose weight as well as exercise and tone up, I just haven't reached the point of DOING IT!  Well, all of a sudden 13 days ago, it just seemed like the right time.  I started and I will eat with my brain, not my stomach.  Make sense? 

Hi! I just joined.  About 3 years ago I joined WW with some friends.  I am 5'2" and at that time weighed 212.  My knees were shot.  I had to do something.  Well WW worked for me at first.  Or maybe I should say I worked at WW.  I lost 30 pounds in 7 months.  But then I had a family crisis and ended up dropping out of WW.  In the meantime a friend I joined with hit goal and another dropped out.  I have been trying to half heartedly follow the WW diet but sometimes those milkshakes and things call too loudly to me.  I have gained back 15 pounds and am now at 195.  At age 52 it just seems so hard to lose.  I joined Curves because I know I needed to get some exercise and it fit into my work schedules very nicely. 

I work 2 jobs.  Daytime at a public library and 4 nights a week I teach Adult Ed classes.  I have been getting so discouraged with trying to lose weight.  And there are soooo many plans and fads and scams out there.  It just seems to make sense to just try to eat a balanced meal and restrict the amount.  But I'm afraid I can't do it alone.  I would be very happy if I could get to 140 but I would be tickled even to get to 160.  It would be reinforcing.  With the Curves program as I guess any exercise regimen I have been losing some inches but I get so tired of hearing, "you're not gaining weight you're building muscle."  Aiiiiggghhhhh.  With that kind of thinking I should look like Popeye on steroids.

I am happy I found this sight and am glad to have a forum for sharing my triumphs and frustrations.

Hello other 50 somethings!  Like so many of you I've tried alot.  I was in the Air Force from 1973 - 1993 and had 3 kids.  I gain alot during my pregnancies so had to lose it or get put on the fat boy program.  Well I spent alot of time on the fat boy program but you have to participate in an exercise group and meet with dieticians so you learn alot. 

I'm happily married, have 2 boys and 1 daughter.  I also have 5 grandchildren and am expecting another in March.  My daughter and her daughter live with me in Dallas, moved here in 2004.  My boys live in Alabama, had to leave them behind to find work. 

I'm tired of failing at this.  I downloaded an eBook at www.burnthefat.com.  He is a bodybuilder and talks alot about eating the right ratio of food at the right time in the right amounts.  Lots of work but no more short cuts, I'm ready to do the work.  (I'm only on day 2.)

Knee surgery Jan 2007 to replace my right knee from years of running while in the Air Force.  My ideal weight at 5'5" is about 140.  I'm currently 223.  So my goal is 70 lbs in 9 months.  Wish me luck!!!