I have been reading the posts on this board for the last 2 weeks and am finally pushing myself to step up and be counted. My doctor recommended 3 Fat Chicks to me several months ago and I wish I had investigated it then. So, about me:
GENERAL: I live at about 7000 feet above sea level on the Front Range of Colorado, which is the east or dry side of the Continental Divide, and so my name comes from aspen the tree, not aspen the glamorous ski resort. I am 51, married and a stay-at-home mom with a 15 year old son. Both husband and son are active and healthy and very supportive, if somewhat clueless about how different things are for me than for them.
PHYSICAL: I am 5'7" and up to 245 this morning from around 233 just 6 weeks ago. That was a nasty shock. I haven't gained or lost a lot of weight for several years. I don't have any physical restrictions except being fat and the joint stuff that comes along with that. Several months ago, my LDL= 80 (<100 is good), HDL=27 (50-60 is good), triglycerides=252 (<150 is good) and glucose=106 (70-100 is good). I suspect these numbers have probably gotten worse, if my weight gain is any indication.
MENTAL: I have a genetic disposition for depression (as in both parents and all sibs have it lol) which is usually mild to moderate in my case. Back in late July, something changed and I am now the kind of depressed that can barely get through daily chores, cries over nothing and often spends the majority of the day in bed. There was no event or external cause. I have been avoiding meds for depression for years and respond well to exercise, especially outdoors. I also am pathologically shy, sometimes to the point of not being able to buy groceries if I have to interact with the checker. In the anonymous world of the Internet, I can be chatty, insightful, funny and warm, but IRL, I probably couldn't actually look you in the eye.
So, today I walked my son half-way to the bus stop and then took off on a nice local path that heads up into the hills. (Pretty much all the paths head UP here lol) Now back home, I have more energy and feel more even-keel than I have --- which is why exercise is so darn important to me! I am going to clean up the kitchen and clean out the pantry/fridge. If my energy level stays high, I am going to plan food for the week. If not, I will plan food for today. Then I will go into town for groceries and maybe hit the public library for books about dieting, etc. (There are plenty of those around, aren't there?)
Finally, I wanted to tell you that reading your posts has made a noticeable difference. I think that is why I managed to get out the door today. The posts from people who are losing lot of weight, the posts from people who are stuck at the moment and all the informational posts are great. The posts from folks who have goofed up, but get right back to their program are particularly inspiring to me. And the people who have reached their goal, but still come here to encourage everyone else, well, you guys are heroes.
Sorry this is so long, but I wanted the transparency that comes from revealing yourself to others. I am way too good at hiding and I don't want to do that here. I promise future posts will be less long-winded.