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 my name is Cinthia. I live in Oakland and I'm originally from Germany. I work as a marketing assistant and I study Graphic Design at the Academy of Art in SF. 

My History with weight loss has been yo-yoing, Weight Watchers, Atkins, Medifast and many more. I steadily gained weight over a 4 year period.  I've been on Calorie Count now for about 2 weeks. I like it. I started exercising October - November 2008 and I started eating healthier. I have lost about 50 pounds so far (which happened pretty quickly). I started calorie counting in a journal which worked fine, but I like the groups the analysis etc at Calorie Count. I joined the group because I live and love the bay area. I wish everyone the best of luck. 

Thanks, 

Cinthia 

thats awesome that you've lost 50lbs!!! and you are running. im back on CC! let me know what sort of weekly menus you have. thanks :-)

I started gaining weight when I was 18... it wasnt enough to be worried about in the beginning... but it became an issue for  me when I was around 20-21. I did not know anything about calories... or portion sizes. So I ate what I wanted... alot of fast food/fried things. And the weight kept coming.... and kept coming. I gained more weight during my twp pregnancies... my son was born prematurely and passed away shortly after being born. So I ate more... I got pregnant again (I was stoked)... my husband and I thought our time had finally come... but that baby did not make it either... so I ate more. In between depression...mourning and feeling out of control... I learned all I could about weight and health. I lost 20 pounds once.... but was not dedicated so I gained that and some. I started realing that I have spent my 20's being over weight...plus I want children and need to be as healthy as possible. I used to be an athlete... I miss running and jumping hurdles... I love being active. Even now I love playing tennis. Basketball was my passion.... but I just could no longer keep up with other players... so I gave it up. I will be 28 years old this year... and I'm tired of feeling so worn out- my body is exhausted. In Dec (5 months ago) I got serious about my weight and my health. I have lost almost 30 pounds since then. I started off weighing 287 pounds... and I now weigh 259 pounds. I have a long way to go... but I feel good knowing that I am on the right track. I found calorie count when I went online and tried to fine info about how many calories I should consume. I belong to another weight site/ but I will admit that CC has some features that the other does not have. My goal here is to weight 123 pounds by december 2010. I joined this group because I have somewhat been very secluded since gaining so much weight. Its very hard for some people to accept- including myself. I hope to gain  support/friendship during this process.... and to hopefully inspire others as well. I have 3 dogs (one is a chihuahua that I adore) and I am a stay at home wife. I went to work shortly after my second child passed in sept... but it was too soon.  I am focused on my health and education at this time- and I might go back to work at the end of the year. I look forward to seeing us progress together.

Congrats on your weight loss and welcome!

1. History with weight loss: yo-yo
2. History with Calorie Count: gave up when people told me I was too anal and making myself fat by counting-was told it was obsessive.
3. Reason for joining this group: saw a friend post on facebook
4. Some interesting details about me: manager, not currently speaking to my family, no pets and I play the violin.  I am really fun and creative.

Mainly, I'm a plus size who has to fly next month and don't want to have to get a medical waiver (like the rest of my department) and explain to my boss why she has to buy me an extra seat.  My favorite jeans don't fit.  No one ever calls me fat because I am tall, but the world doesn't fit.  Newly single and absolutely committed to never again dating someone who eats high fat and watches TV all the time.  I need to lose half of me.  As a leader, I need to confront my weight, it's literally "the elephant in the room."  I am asking them to hold to a goal when I clearly lack the willpower to do it myself.  Finally, I want to play soccer and basketball without injuring myself.  And I want to get a date.  Forget that, I want to walk into a room and be Helen of Troy!  Wish me luck.

Amen to TigerBrooke's post about people in the arts not being health conscious.  It's soo true (except for mainline things like ballet n such).  Thank you for answering the question I didn't even know I wanted to ask.

 

Hi Everyone,

I'm in North Bay and posted in the 50 - 100 pound loss site too. I'm looking for a walking partner here, my husband knows quite a few places but he is a bit fast for me and he calls most of them a HIKE (nasty little four-letter-word I have learned to despise!)

According to CC I have about 70 lbs to lose and I really need to get the walks in because of our planned vacation to Disney World this year.

Anyone up for a nice hour long (+/-) walk? For now, I guess I will just partner with my daughter's IPod and my huge dog. Let me know!

Leslie

Ok, so I hope I'm posting right..? Being new to this site and all I'm a little unsure of what I'm doing so far...

I mean first there was MySpace (waaay too much drama!), then there's FaceBook(confusing as sin!)...and now there's CC (which I do hope to master, as it's even more addicting for me than the other two!). Basically that's how I looked at this site when I joined. I have now come to realize that this is a site that I can really benefit from and am accepting it with open arms. I actually read about it in a magazine and decided to give it a try. And seriously, I am HOOKED...

My name is Mara. I'm 29 (and hope to stay that way for at least another ten years...) and am 5'6", currently 126 pounds as of today (I only admit my weight, as it is decreasing as we speak ). I live in the North Bay, only about 45 miles from San Fran.

On and off for the past 5 years I have been concerned with my diet/exercise, but mostly just my weight in general and being "healthy" all around. This came to be on my 25th birthday when I realized that the extra weight I was carrying from pregnancy could no longer be considered "baby weight" being that my son was 3 years old ! I had weighed myself at a doctor's apt and the number on the scale of 168 made me want to run right out of there! I made a pact to get the weight off and started that very day. Eight months after I had reached my goal of 115. I went from wearing a size 13 down to a 3...wow!

Since that time about 4 years ago I have gained about 10-15 pounds back for different reasons; Comfort in a new relationship (C'mon, we've all been there LOL), splurging one too many times for "special occasions" (Such as, oh, I don't know...Wednesday's!?), I broke my foot last summer and was in a full leg cast, then walking boot, for a total of FIVE long months (this made exercise actually impossible, no excuses there), and so on...

Last month when I found CC I remade that 5 year old pact with myself and am just extremely happy I found something like this to help me along the way. I think for myself especially that this is an "in-your-face" approach to things and therefore makes "cheating or slacking" even more difficult to do. Thank God for that ! In the last month I have lost some and am now within 6-8 pounds of my goal weight. And then there's always toning the muscles as well...sigh.

I've got a lot of friends to join as well in hopes that we can all have the same opportunities to gain from something as awesome as this while supporting each other along the way.

Ok, I think I'm now supposed to say why I'm joining this group and tell a little about my interests. Well, I'm joining for support, maybe to meet some new people that are going through the same battles as I am even. My interests are first and foremost my son Giovanni. I am a single parent so he is my world. Currently I am a stay-at-home mom (I was let go from my job in January...bummer, I know) so I have a ton of time on my hands even though I always feel more busy now than before...haha. We have a Skye Terrier puppy, Jack, he's awesome. One word of advice, if you aren't real big on exercise, at least get a dog! You'll have to walk him every day and if you don't, oh boy, you're guilt won't let you forget ! Other than that I like to cook, and EAT (!); I looove watching baseball...little league all the way to the majors; being outside and enjoying the summer weather; dancing and shopping...always; I love my family and friends, always great support; totally into good music and tattoo's, if you couldn't tell...and Jesus is my homeboy!

Ok, I've blabbled on waaaay too long. Basically, HI...and good luck to everyone here on your hopes, dreams, and goals !

Hello.  I'm Claire.  I'm 27 years old and I live in SF. I just started this a week ago, I've been on other calorie count websites and have quit or forgot about them early on.  Often I kept very random notations on what I eat and did.  When I graduated from undergrad I was at 145 and at 5'8" I felt this was pretty healthy.  I had always felt bigger than other girls or undefined.  I have a think boyfriend who's weight has stayed pretty much the same since he was in High School, so it's been odd for me to be bigger than him since we started out.  But when I started grad school my activity level plunged.  I went from multiple dance and aerobics classes to nothing in no time flat, and a lot more sitting around.  In the past six years I've gone from 145 to 195...ok 6 as of today.  For the past four years I've fluctuated between 180 and 195.  Like alot of women, I see wedding bells in my future and I want to feel good when I look at the pictures from the big day.  But, I'm also starting a new life.  I'm quitting my job and I'm going to be a full time writer for a while.  I'm starting a life of a lot of part time jobs and I want to make a good impression on people, but I also what to have confidence when I'm presenting myself.  And I don't feel healthy or sexy.  I don't want to go into a marriage or a new life feeling like that.

Hi, I'm new to the group, and may have done an intro in the last few days but am not sure.  I'm 55, Female, live in Oakland, and want to lose 50 pounds. I'm married and work in libraries, and need more activity. My goals involve more fiber, more fruits and vegetables, less sweets, and fats.  I used to eat whatever I wanted but those days ended about 10 years ago, and I haven't done much to take off the evidence!  I like Calorie Counter for all the great resources and the support system.  I'm hoping to meet some friends through this who are working toward a healthier lifestyle.

Hi everyone, 

I posted my reply to these questions in the 20-50lbs. weight loss group.  Here is a brief summary.  I started gaining weight seven years ago.  I continue to go back and fourth.  I joined one week ago. 

I thought it would be nice to join a local group. 

I am a stay at home mom with two children, two cats and one dog and I like to hike.

Hello there,

I'm just another 27 year old guy who made the migration from San Diego to the Bay Area for work. I am a goof ball and I am ecstatic that my Girlfriend is moving up here from San Diego in two weeks.

So I guess it's on to the about me topics ;)

History with weight loss:

I had my highest weight my 2nd year of HS.. I weighed in at about 240... then after a season of Drum Corps I dropped to about 200 pounds and from then on I fluctuated slowly up and down from 200 to 220 for the next 5 years.

Then... I moved to Munich, Germany for an Internship... I had no car and only my legs and public transit to get me where i needed to go... I dropped down to 175 (from 200) after 4 months and maintained that with out really trying... then I moved back home to finish college. Then I slowly creeped back up to 215. Rule of thumb AVOID TOP RAHMEN ;). I am sick of getting out of breath running up and down stairs at work and I am sick of being seeing my pudge and remembering what I once had only 3 years ago...

2. History with Calorie Count:

I signed up when I first moved to Burlingame... but that was short lived as I just couldn't keep up with my food log. I gave in and just worked on my own... but now a year or so later - I realize the importance of tracking my movement - food, exercise, etc - It is so motivating to see the change. And now that I have constant internet access via a nifty telephony device - entering Meal info is way easier.

3. Reason for joining this group:

It popped up on a recommended groups list - and of all the choices, what better way to stay motivated than to join a group of people who just happen to all be nearby :D

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

Hmm, I used to play (and would love again) to play tuba. I work as a Marketing/Sales/Retail Training Coordinator for a German company that makes really cool Apple Software. I love Movies (especially funny ones - "Best in Show" anyone). One of my favorite books is "Der Vorleser" otherwise known as "The Reader". I love long walks, cooking and BBQing most of all ;) - I am also a lover of beer - specifically craft and local brews: Some of my favorites include Stone Oaked AB, Lagunitas IPA, Trumer Pils, Erdinger Weißbier and so many more.

Thats it. Cheers,

David

Holy Moly - I didnt mean to make you all read a novel - sorry about that. I can get carried away sometimes.

Hi there,

I am new to cc, but I have used something similar in the past.  I find that being faithful in entering what I eat keeps me on track.  For the past 15 years I have been a size 10 and at the most fluctuated my weight by about 5 -8 lbs.  I excercised 3 times a week faithfully.  And then I had a baby (what a joy!)  And 10 months later I have about 20lbs to go to get back to my original weight.  My size is 12-14 and I don't want to buy a whole new wardrobe.  I had to buy some stuff because wearing maternity clothes when you baby is 10 months old is depressing.

I joined the group because I live in the East Bay and that's close enough for me to be part of the SF club. 

Wish me luck in my quest to wear my old clothes because in this economy I am not going shopping.

 

1. History with weight loss:

This is my first time making the commitment to lose weight and be healthy again :) i am 23 weigh 159lbs and want to be 124lbs again.

2. History with Calorie Count:

Ive never used calorie count but i feel it will help me sooo much. I am already eating a lot healthier and a tracker can keep it under control.

3. Reason for joining this group:

I live in the bay area so i thought .... why not share a group with people in your area :)

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

I work in an office and am an assistant to a V.P. of marketing & sales ... i love my job. I am married. no kids yet, but 3 doggies and 2 cats :) . I spend a lot of time with my husband, family and church. oh and now i spend time at the gym :D ...im excited for my journey that lies ahead .. YAY!

Good luck Lagardner29 :)

i live in the east bay also

East Bay native, lived and worked here most of my life except 3 years in the Army and one year working and Skiing in Utah, when fun was done back to good old East Bay.

Have had a weight problem on and off since forever.  My late wife could get me to loose weight with little problem as she could de-calcify your spinal column if she was angry at you.  She got 85 pounds off me back in the mid 80's.  Gradually over the years as parts wore out and exercise became at first a chore then mostly impossible, the weight went back on and then some.

I am under medical supervision in a weight loss program preliminary to barictric surgery (staple stomach).  Be that as it may, even if that does not come to pass, I need to rid myself of this excess weight as I am virtually bed-ridden because of several collateral medical problems none that extra weight makes better.

I am retired since 2001. worked for 10 years in commercial photofinishing, then 32 years of Telecommunications/Computer Administration.

Hobbies mostly all gone (flying, skiing, motorcycle riding) except for Reading, Music (listening to Jazz mostly), and internet stuff. Did co-host a Jazz room on Paltalk for quite a while, but unable to sustain a long enough presence at the computer these days to make Administering a room worth the bother.

Just been using Calorie Count for a little over a month, too bad it does not have printer friendly outputs as I have to justify myself to the medco's. the weight chart is ok as far as it goes but I have to manually chart calories per day vs weight per day.

Anyway, all that being said, Thanks for having the group.