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 Dess - we have similar goals so hopefully we can inspire each other.  I weigh 223 and want to get to 150 by next summer.  I have a husband who prefers the red meat.  Fortunately for me he doesn't love gravy because I do, especially turkey gravy during the holidays.  Seventy pounds is alot to lose so let's hang in there together and see if we can do it this time.

Hopefully I'm doing this posting thing right. I've been a member for over a year, but haven't looked at the site since probably January. As my original goal date came and went, with no significant change to my weight, I knew I had to do something different, but what? I had tried so many different diets and ideas to lose weight over the years. I have managed to lose the same 5 pounds about 20 times! But, I haven't been able to get much beyond that point. But I knew it was possible. After my second baby was born, I lost 53 lbs over the course of a year. That was a long time ago and I just haven't been able to check into that same mental attitude. I have checked back into Calorie Count because I think I have found the ticket to my weight lose troubles. Just since last Wednesday I have begun to lose a little weight.

I am mostly a stay-at-home mom with 5 children, most are now out of the house. I enjoy sewing and I like to dable (sp) in a small home-based business that involves sewing. I also am interested in learning about natural healing (like taking garlic for colds, and stuff like that). I also have a part-time job one day a week outside the home. I lead a youth group at church. It is for girls 8-11 years old.  We have two cats, George and Gracy.

I looking forward to getting to know the other people in this group!

I've been a member for a while, but never got very serious about weight loss....but the add on of abt 15 lbs quickly over the summer got my attention.  I'm at about 175 lbs, I'm 5'8" tall and 59 years old.  I'm sick of this stomach fat, but also struggle with a back pain problem that's tricky at times.  I purchased a Nautilus recumbant bike and have been doing abt 20 minutes every other day....it's getting easier and that's a step in the right direction.  I'm also walking as much as possible.

My hard times of the day are when my husband comes home....snacks and wine before dinner are my downfall.  I've never really had to diet in the past....In my 20's I was 115, then gained 5 lbs with each of my babys.  Then little by little 5 lbs here, and 5 lbs there......often as a result of a vacation where we ate too much.  And here at 59, I'm now 175 lbs.  What to do??

I feel like I'm a healthy eater....I love fruits and vegetables, and hate desserts....so my eating attitude is a good one....I love fish and chicken, and could skip red meat.  I've cut out cheeses, and am opting for things like hummus.  I'm just out of ideas!!!

Hi Thinner: You said you think you've found the ticket to your weight loss troubles now....  I am curious about what is different this time around? 

Glad for everyone's posts.  I don't have time to post much, but I read on here a lot and it's usually very encouraging!  I am down 16 lbs. since 8/1/08.  30 lbs. to go.  I am focusing on changing my thinking to accept this new way of eating as my permanent one.  It has taken a long time to get rid of the "wishful" thinking and complaining about not being able to eat as I did when younger.  I think this is the key for me.

 

 It sounds like you have been doing well with your diet also. 16 pounds is a great milestone! I know what you mean about "wishful thinking". I think we all have to find the "key" that works on a personal basis.

This is the ticket for me: After reading several different books on the nutritional value of food, I finally realized that it is ok to eat more than 2 fruits and 3 veggies a day. My favorite book was "Eat to Live" by Joel Fuhrman. I know it sounds so simple, but I was always so afraid of going over my calories for the day, that I would limit them.  I didn't realize how good they are for you.

   Now I eat LOTS of fruit and veggies. I love just eating fruit for breakfast or having a fruit, milk, nut smoothy. I eat so much of them (fruits/veggies) that I don't have a lot of room in my stomach for other types of food. When I get hungry, I eat more!

  What a delicous way to start the day, eating several pieces of cantaloupe, watermelon or peaches! My junk food craving are gone, I'm sleeping better, and my energy level is up. Can you tell that I am excited about this new way of eating?

 

Original Post by duke3522:

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!

 

Good afternoon everyone.

I have been using this web site since July 9 2007. My husband hd just been to Doctor and was diagnsosed with Diabetes. The doctor said do the southbeach diet or weight watchers. I knew he wouldn't so I went home and threw all old food out and started diet with him.

He weighed 293 lbs at 5' 9". I weighed 251 at 5'7"

I am 53 now he is 56.

Today I weigh 119 lbs a loss of 132 lbs. He weighes 200.5.

I have been tracking diet, excersises etc for the whole time and reading the forums to get ideas but never joined or posted.

My only two issues with the weight loss are that I can't seem to sleep for more than 5 1/2 hours and night and I am freezing all the time. The summer I could layer for the air conditioning but I am not looking forward to the winter.

I now it 2200 calories a day and excersise 1 hour a day on the elliptical. (because I like it and I do it at 4:30 in the morning because I have nothing else to do and I can't sleep).  

Donnamalia:

Wow big congratulations to both of you for your weight loss!!! 

How do you like your new self?  Do you find it hard to maintain?  Do you still count your calories?  I am interested in a peek into the future ;)

I am 5' 6.5" and my goal weight is 139.  I can't imagine going as low as you are.  Is it a good weight on you?

I have 30 more lbs. to go, but also am feeling colder.  I think that's something I'll just have to get used to.    I wonder if your not sleeping has to do with the weight or hormonal issues.  Anyone else out there have trouble sleeping after losing weight?

ometimes when I see myself in the mirror I can't believe it is me, or I will try on clothes that look very small but I will try on anyway and they are too big.

I have been maintaining for about 3 weeks. I had been trying to maintain since June (140 lbs) but as I added back calories I lost more weight. My goal was to be @ 175 lbs.

I know my down falls are chocolate, all sorts of breads, etc so I have been finding lower calorie alternates in receipes and on the internet (crumcreek, vitalisis sp, hungry girl etc.

My challenges include I travel for my work by car with being gone up to 4 nights a week. So I do count calories to plan my meals and snacks while I am gone. At first was to make sure I didn't take in to much, now to make sure I take in enough (but not too much).

I have never plateaued, nor gone over or under my calories once I wrote in my plan for the day. 

Congrats, donnamalia & hubby! I am a donna too, a popular name for baby girls back in the day?  I am 51 years old (still can't fathom being in my 50's), am married to a great guy who battles weight too. Have three kids, all are in college. I do work about 30 hours per week.

Have always had to fight to keep slim. It's so hard now. Really have to limit caloric intake to lose weight, but I've been calorie counting & it's working for me. I used to have great success with Atkin's, but not anymore. As I've gotten older, cutting carbs doesn't make me lose weight. I lose an initial 3 pounds, and that's it.

I've lost 7 pounds in the past two weeks, so I'm really psyched. Have 23 to go to get to my goal of 128. I'm 5'5" and a small to medium frame. I think that's a good weight for me now at this age. Any lower, I don't think my body will be able to stay there.

My big downfall is quantity. I like to eat good food, but have a portion problem. So counting calories makes me eat less, and my stomach is learning to be happy with a smaller amount. I just love to nibble, so air popped popcorn has been my savior in the evenings while watching TV.

I haven't really been exercising - my job has me up and down. But I need to start. Anyone have suggestions on a program that isn't expensive or boring? I don't like walking or jogging that much. Thanks!

 

1. History with weight loss:

Always have been some what overweight my whole life, I'm 58. Tried different diets/eating plans off and on for years. The last was associated with a medical group where 3 years ago I lost about 20 pounds for may daughter's wedding, which I gained back. Lost some on medication for high blood sugar.

2. History with Calorie Count:

Joined in December but never really used it. Have joined a group called Ten Week Turnaround and have to count calories, so thought I might get help from others.

3. Reason for joining this group:

Thought a group with people in my age group would be a good motivator. My husband is not very supportive so I need all the support and motivation you can give.

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

I am married with two children, a daughter 28 and a son 30. I work as a receptionist of a small orthodontic practice,which is 4 1/2 blocks from my home, yes, I can walk to work , and I started to do that two to three days a week along with walking at lunch.  I have two cats and would love to have a dog but hubby says NO 

Hello group!  This is the second day that I have used this tool and I am very impressed.  I tried other online pay services and I like this one best and it's free!!!  I started gaining weight about seven years ago and I'm about 55 pounds overweight.  My weight gain was triggered by major stressful changes in my professional and personal life that triggered a more sedentary lifestyle, a lot of eating out, and a lot of emotional eating.  I'm sure that normal physical changes that occur for women over fifty also contributed.  I have made attempts to lose weight but I have failed.  It has taken me some time to realize that getting fit is going to require a huge comittment, a huge lifestyle change, and a lot of hard work.  I think that joining the group will help to achieve my goal.  Hey it's more fun to work with a group than to work alone.  I am divorced (that was one of the stressful lifestyle changes), and I have two children ages 25 (married) and 15.  I also have a wonderful dog (5 year old golden retriever).

Hi!  I have probably struggled with weight all my life, and was very successful on Weight Watchers twice in my past.  I was diagnosed with Scleroderma in 2001, and it has changed my life being sick.  My activity level has plummeted, and I have put on weight.  My lung function at this point is very poor, due to the scarring in my lungs from the disease.  Despite all that.......I WANT to lose weight, be stronger, and look good in Jamaica - winter 2009!

I could use all the help and support this site has to offer.  I just joined CC, and am unsure how it can help me, and the TIME required to update it.

I have a very supportive, loving husband, and 2 kitties.  I used to be an avid cyclist, hiker, and traveled to bike and hike mountains.

I'm looking forward to trying out this site, and moving forward with your recommendations.

Hi, all.  I started gaining weight in my 30's, just 2-5 pounds over the winters with some summer losses.  It was probably started by the broken foot and subsequent arthritis.  When my mom died of a heart attack at 67 and her clothes fit me (I was 43), I knew I had to do something if I wanted to live more than 20 more years.  I joined Weight Watchers at Work and lost 40+ pounds.  The problem with a successful at Work group is that members who reach their goal no longer count as members, and you have to keep recruiting more people to keep the group going, and ours eventually fizzled.    I just can't get motivated to go to a meeting at 8am on a Saturday, so I've let the pounds start slowly creeping back. 

I found C-C by accident (same as others, searching for the number of calories in food I was adding to my log) in July, 2007.  When I log in and keep my log, I lose weight!  When I don't, I think, oh a milkshake today won't hurt, a burger would taste so delicious, a hot dog from the gas station is quick...

When I finally noticed that the "old" C-C was gone and the Plus is the regular C-C, I switched my membership over and this group was automatically recommended based on my profile.  I know that "you get out of it what you put into it" and "it works if you work it", so I've reluctantly become a "joiner" instead of an "individual" as I've aged, since experience is also teaching me that although I'm the only one who can improve me, I can't do it alone.

I've been married to wonderful and supportive (although overweight and unhealthy) man for 27 years.  He has two sons who are nearing 40 and we have a 26-year-old daughter.  One son has been married for 3 years, and he has three teenage stepchildren.  I'm an accountant in a bank, so - you guessed it - I spend all day at a computer.  Then I go home and "play" on the computer.  I also enjoy a lot of different crafts, reading, travelling and motorcycling.  The only exercise I enjoy is bicycling, but it doesn't fit into Michigan weather and my schedule really well, so my regular exercise is dog-walking.  I found it boring, but I stuck with it, only because our older lab-mix and our youngish Jack Russell are both much better-behaved if they get their daily walk.  After more than a year, I finally look forward to it myself!

Thanks to all of you for being here.

I was a skinny kid and didn't gain weight until my late 20s as that was went I went to college. 

I've been to Weight Watchers many, many times.  It is a great program but my weight is ruled by my mental well being.  I get frustrated because I do not lose as fast I think I should and then I quit!!!

I'll be 55 this year, have 3 grown kids, 2 small grandchildren, currently unemployed, married. 

Found this website merely by accident and I do love it!!!  My only complaint is that they switched over to the 'new' site and my info from the previous site did not come over, so everything I logged from Sept 11 - Sept 27 is out there somewhere!!! 

Good news is I have lost 10 pounds since Sept 11.  I have MUCH MUCH more to lose, but I know I have to keep keeping on.  AA Big Book is helping me alot, not for drinking (never drank) but for food addiction

Hi! Everyone

Well i came across this site...and thought I would join...I have been struggling for a long time with my weight loss...and I was at weight watchers and all i could do was count points...and that is still in my head....and it feels like a diet...I have been on this for I think a week now...and I seem to be doing pretty good...so far...and I will try and continue...I had lost 30 pounds about 2 years ago...and I had a hip replacement...so that really slowed me down...but I am back...and...want to lose weight...

I am 54 I like to do watercolour painting and aqua fit classes...so i do keep busy...

good Luck to all the members.

 

Hi Everyone,

I came across this site and thought it would be a help and encouragement on my ongoing weight loss journey to share with other 50 somethings.  I belong to Weight Watchers and did originally lose 100 pounds, but then things crept back on when I had both knees replaced and now the weight loss is only 63.5 pounds.  Time I needed some additional encouragement to do the right thing this time and stick with it, so here I am.  I look forward to chatting with others my age group - I'm 56 almost 57 years young, have been married 39 years (yeah, I married real young, age 17) have three grown children, all whom are married and have 6 grandchildren.  So I find myself really out of shape and need lots of exercise to build my body up to a good shape and strength.

Hi everyone, I'm going to try and join the group and hope I don't get bumped off to login again which keeps happening to me.

1. History with weight loss: I never had a weight problem till my 40's I'm 51 now. I lost weight last year and then broke my leg in 2 places and was in a wheel chair for 4 months and gained it back. I'm not doing well with the weight now. So busy with working and going to school and taking care of all the stuff that comes up. I've had terrible sinsus problems and allergies for 2 yrs  and see and ENT next week so maybe will feel better and arthritis issues.
2. History with Calorie Count: about 2 yrs.
3. Reason for joining this group: To discuss weight issues with people my age.
4. Some interesting details about yourself, such as your job, your family, your pets and your interests.   I have a very spoiled cat that is 11yrs old. My doggy babies passed in the last 2 yrs they were 17 and 18yrs old. and I haven't gotting another dog. I changed careers in my 40's I worked as a legal and medical secretary for years and was in the army before that but always wanted to teach. So now I have about 6 mo. to finish my education degree and I work with 1st grader- 4th for reading and teach computer tech. to k- 2 in the afternoon. which mean I spend my afternoons say DON'T CLICK!.   My hub and I just had our 32nd anniversary in Sept. and I have two son's - one just turned 30 (oh my gosh) and one beautiful wonderful grand daughter that is 10yrs. I'm not good at doing any exercises since all I do is work and study. I need to get moving and drop about 50 lbs.  I'm glad to meet people my own age.

Hi Everyone

I think a group may be helpful for helping with my weighloss.

 

1. History with weight loss. I lost weight and stayed thin until I hit my40s. Then I had a knee surgery, a knee replacement, and a hysterectomy and I gained a ton of weight. I have bad arthritis.

2. Started with Calorie Count today

3. Been dieting on my own and it is very very very very slow. So I thought hearing about other people's miseries and successes would be helpful.

4. I am happily married. I live in Wisconsin. My son has left home for college in New Orleans and I miss him. I have a dog and a bird. I have a nice house and yard. I teach at 2 colleges online and 1 brick and mortar college. I have been teaching psychology for 11 years. I am in the middle of my dissertation. I will be very happy when I finish it.

I can diet but I do not like exercise. I love to take naps if I can. I look forward to hearing from others in the 50's group.

Deb

 I love that there is a place that I can learn about you guys!  I feel like this is the group for me!

1. History with weight loss:  I was always a bit overweight as a child, but stayed pretty slim through high school and college.  Just recently (last three years), the weight seems to be adding on no matter what I do!  I know menopause has something to do with it, but I am fighting tooth and nail with diet and excercise.

2. I have lurked here but joined today because I felt that maybe I could learn from others who have the same problems.  A group can keep you honest and can also be moral support for the very difficult task of losing weight.

3. see above

4. I am married to a fitness junkie, so there is a lot of pressure. Although he is encouraging, I get very frustrated that I am not losing weight despite all of the workouts and excercise I do...I am a computer geek, but I do not just sit and play on here:  I work, I do crafts, I garden, etc.  I think one of my biggest problems is that I do not look my age, so when I attend fitness classes, etc., most of the class is way younger than me and have no idea that I have to deal with "aging" issues of sore joints, lower stamina, etc.  I do not want to be injured, and that is one of my goals...I still want to look good for my age, but I am not obssessed by appearance...I truly want to get healthier...everything else is a plus..ha ha

Looking for support, tips, ideas, and reading about progress! If anyone wants to buddy up online, I would be up for that as well--I need over 50 buddies to get me to my goal!