[tec4cleveland]

Hi. My name's Janet Aldrich. I have been overweight most of my adult life, and now, at the age of 50, I have found the discipline to eat right (at least most of the time!). I started my new life on June 1.

I enjoy working out, so that hasn't been the problem. But if you eat as much as you work out, even when you don't really want or mean to, well, not much changes. Oh, I built muscle, all right, but I really don't want to suit up for the Browns (NFL team).

I usually eat between 1400 and 1600 calories and I try to work out every day but Sunday. Sometimes I work out more than once. I love to walk, but I also treadmill, use the elliptical, swim, do water aerobic classes and (in the winter obviously) cross-country ski. I'm hoping to start fencing lessons in September -- I understand they're great exercise.

Anyway, glad to be here and hope to be able to provide support as well as receive it.

[NEMom]

WOW! I am still working on getting my exercise routine on track. I do the elliptical also and some weight training but am not nearly as dedicated as you are.
I keep (try) to keep my calories at about what you do, around 1,400 a day. I have read several times on here that 85% of weight loss is diet and 15% is exercise. Sounds like you are on track and should do great.
Best of luck!!!

[xxkaleidoscopic]

Wow is right! You're so active. That's awesome! And keep in mind, of course, that the scale won't always reflect how small you're getting - with that much activity, you WILL build muscle.

[tec4cleveland]

Thank you for the welcome -- and the reminders. I picked up an Omron body fat device cheap on EBay and I'm using a combination of weight, BF% and measurements to track how I'm doing.

I've fallen in love with the elliptical, even though I can't do as much on it as the others -- I know I've read that you burn more on the treadmill, but (since I'm rebuilding my cardio stamina, so it might just be me) I feel like I do a LOT more work on the elliptical than I do on the treadmill.