Hey Steph, I'm still here since the other thread died

Hello, everyone!  I am interested in joining the group here.  I'm not nearly as close to my weight-loss goals as most of you seem to be, but I could really use some outside support.  A friend of mine (who lives cross-country) and I have been trying to support each other in weight-loss over the last year.  She, however, is so busy with her kids, just keeping her life together and her own workout schedule going that it's not really working for me.  I thought back to what helped me get through the C25k program last year and it was this site and the support offered here!  I'm hoping to find the extra "monitoring" I need in order to move my loss to the next level.

I'm 46 and started @ 237#.  I lost 20# before I started running one year ago.  That loss was mostly through getting rid of the big/bad stuff - not eating out, giving up alcohol, etc.  I started C25k a year ago @ 216#, did my 5k @ 206#, and have kept running since.  I've also monitored what I eat, but have good times and bad.  I've lost an additional 16# in the last year, so 36# total.  My next goal is 185#, then 165#, and finally, 155#.  If I ever went lower than that, I would be delighted.  But, that's my HS weight, so just getting there would be great!

My friend is a huge fan of South Beach and I have done that successfully in the past.  I've even started recently, but I find that the lack of carbs makes me feel very depleted and that my running suffers. The best thing for me to do is to stick to tracking my food (via Myfitnesspal.com), not overdo on the carbs.  I'm looking for a great program and may have to check out the Mayo Clinic Diet.  Do you think that would be good for me?  I'm soooooo open to suggestions!

I am a slow runner, but have increased my speed by 10% in the last year and try to run 3mi 3x/wk.  I usually do 4+mi in those sessions w/ the balance brisk walking.  I don't count my daily dog walks, which are brisk and 1-1.5mi.  I think the next step is to fill in the non-running days with a cross-training acitivity and will do that yet this week.

All of this has been a major lifestyle change for me.  I have never run before this past year or been very involved in athletics of any sort.  My weight came on after my sister's death 18yrs ago and I have dealt with the emotional issues successfully as they've arison.  I am committed to running, conitnued imprtovement in my diet, and additional activity in order to move closer toward my weight loss goals.  But, I need the next big boost!  I'm hoping to learn from all of you!

In early January I went to my doctor for a routine physical.  I knew I was overweight (and have been for the past 10-12 years) and was expecting the same lecture about diet and exercise (which I got).  As part of the physical I had the usual series of blood-work done and left the office with a reminder from my doctor to eat better and get more exercise.  That evening my doctor's head nurse called with some very disturbing news about my blood work.  My blood sugar was 102 classifying me as pre-diabetic, my triglycerides were 538 (anything over 200 is cause for concern) and they wanted to put me on medication, and my liver function (AST/ALT tests) were out of acceptable range as well.  After an ultrasound to rule out serious liver failure, the diagnosis was a "fatty liver".  The positive news about all of this, according to my doctor, is that it can all be cured with diet and exercise.  I'm 6'5", 323lbs (at the time) and will be 36 in March.  Needless to say that day was a wake-up call.

On January 24th, 2011 I overhauled my life.  I bought one of the bodymedia body sensors to track calories burned vs. calories consumed, activity, steps, and sleep efficiency.  At the same time I started the C25K program and began logging everything I eat.  Four weeks later I'm down 7lbs and will finish week 3 of the C25K tomorrow.  I'm still trying to figure a lot of things out such as nutrition, how hard and how long to work out, and fitting everyting into my daily schedule.  I've got a long way to go.  Hopefully this board will help me stay motivated!

My goals are as follows

- Lose 2lbs a week until I reach 230lbs (93lbs)

- Run a 5K @ an 8 minute mile pace

- Run the Des Moines Half Marathon in October 2011

- Run the HyVee Triathlon in September 2012

- Run the Des Moines Full Marathon in October 2013

Art, I think your idea is great. What program is she certified through?

Good to see everyone posting on this thread. I'll update my results on Sunday as to weight loss for wk.

Marie

Hello, great new thread!

still plugging away at getting my slow jog faster lol i'm getting there. Wehave had flash flooding in Melb. Australia which has impacted on my running a bit my once white runners are now filthy and i cant seem to get the mud off.

i have reached my first goal of 20kg off and am on to my next 10kg's, my weighloss has slowed to 1/2 kg a week for the last to weeks which is fine by me as long as its going down.

I have started fitness boxing and boyo i though jogging was a killer! i love it though.

well done Steph for  nearing your goal and to everyone else for having goals xx

- Bee