I am in awe of those of you who are working so hard at getting healthier.

Great work, @JustDoIt! And great plan to use weights to strengthen your ankles! I know from my own experience that feeling strong and safe is important as we become more active!

I am also inspired and in awe of how much everyone has modified lifestyles and improved their overall health. Later this week, my BIL will have tests done (he had a heart attack in late Feb)... but he's already gotten his blood tests back and they look good. He is doing very well after just 3 months of a diet change and PT. We absolutely can improve our lifestyles and it is going to be reflected in our overall health.

Sometimes it takes an event to jump start a plan of action. For me it was during Covid I developed a lung infection in addition to gaining a lot of weight. Could barely do anything.

Congratulations, JustDoIt! That's amazing progress. I'm really happy for you--it feels so good when we are taking care of ourselves.

Congratulations to your BIL, too, Funky. That's wonderful news for your family.

I'm doing well, but my best walking partner broke her ankle a few weeks ago. Her situation reminds me how important it is to stay in shape (she's in great shape, and it's helping in the recovery process) and how important an exercise partner is! I miss our walks together.

I've had a busy month with graduation festivities. It's getting nice and warm here, so being outside is much easier. I'm looking forward to some down time to get back to regular workouts. Overall, I'm doing well, considering.

Thanks for continuing this, Funky. It's great to check in and read others' progress.

Many years ago, I had a regular walking/jogging partner. We went to the track and walked/ran solo but we stretched together and most importantly traveled together. It was great to have a reason to stick to the schedule.. when I had another person I was accountable to, I couldn't so easily skip a day because it was raining, or because I had a deadline or a bad day. I really need a partner now but I am too far away from those I would partner with -- or our schedules aren't aligned. I need to be my own partner/champion now.

I have some serious yard work to do this week-- the weeds have run ahead of me! I am going to add that to my activity list.. not "execise" but definitely activity and time in the fresh air!

I have two friends who I walk with every week, same time, same day, year round, which is great. It's not a strenuous walk or all that long (no hills, 2.5 mi) but it gets me out even if I'm feeling lazy that day, and of course the walking session also serves as a sort of group therapy which is almost as important as exercise.

I am so impressed with the significant weight losses here!

Funky, how about asking one of your long distance friends to still be scheduled and accountable. Maybe facetime first thing before starting. Checking in with each done.

I posted a comment that's not showing up? this is my test post:)

I have a friend I used to talk on the phone with while we walked. We did not live close and had busy lives and this gave us time to connect as well as an accountability partner. We haven't done it in quite a while though. My dog is my partner now.

Both brilliant ideas .. but given our lifestyles these days, I am still not sure even a call or facetime will work regularly. Some are still active parents, some caregivers, most of us work long work hours. Still once a week or so might work. Even that is a bonus.

Just logging my activity/exercise would help-- I will start to get competitive with myself. I already have myfitnesspal and I know there are plenty of other apps that track and/or have a social component.

I really need to get to the point that I WANT to jump on the treadmill when work is annoying me .. or in the early morning before people start stirring at work. I know I can get there.. I know it is a matter of establishing the routine. In my 40s, I used to run at noon every day. Without fail. Hot or Cold. Rain or Shine. I just need to do it. I have said the same thing here repeatedly the last few weeks.. enough lip service and more action!

Sorry I've been very lax about checking in on these threads. I don't think my weight is trending down, but that's ok because I'm still maintaining. For the most part I'm doing pretty well exercising every day. Last week I did manage to swim quite a bit and started switching to morning runs on the days I'm running since it's already too hot mid-day for my dog. Honestly, having the temperature force exercise in the morning is helpful since I can't make excuses to lay in bed longer. In another week I'll be forced to swim in the mornings as well, so that should be good too. It's easier for me to procrastinate if I say to myself "Oh, I can just go later. Maybe lunch. Maybe after work." etc but if I know I have exactly one window of time when I can exercise, it's a little easier to force myself.

Diet wise I am doing ok I guess. I did have a really frustrating gluten contamination episode this weekend that left me sick for hours on Saturday and feeling like garbage Sunday and today as well. In an effort to do social things, I'm trying to be flexible eating at restaurants that have gluten-free-looking items but not labeled and unfortunately this is the risk. I also had the joy of telling some friends I haven't seen in a while that no, I'm sorry, I can't eat the appetizer you specifically ordered to share with me before I arrived because it's avocado toast and I can't eat the bread. I hate doing that.

This week I have several in person company events that will take all day and probably won't have much time for exercise unless I get done early enough. I'll exercise the days I can and just try not to stress about the days I can't. Then I have the very real anxiety around food and not knowing whether the food is safe or not safe from gluten. If I know something is unsafe, I just don't eat and I can cope. If I feel pressured to eat when uncertain if it is safe, it's tough. I could end up really miserable for a few days and could jeopardize my ability to participate in the in-person company events. Ugh. But people get so pushy if they see me not eating so I often feel like I'm forced to hope for the best. Last time the food was clearly labeled one day so I ate it and the next day it wasn't clearly labeled so I didn't. I tried to casually brush it off as no big deal but everyone around me just seemed worried and pushy and trying to get me to eat something.

Also, I wanted to say congratulations to @JustDoIt on 58lbs lost! WOW! You are amazing! You might also try some balancing exercises (like standing on one leg and squatting or raising the other leg, etc) in a space where you have something safe to grab onto if you start feeling like you're losing your balance. I've also liked using bosu balls for balance exercises, but that might be more challenging than you're comfortable (yet!). There are so many facets to health and I think we often forget balance in the mix. I know I do. I think I'll try to add some one-legged squats into my routine to work on my balance again.

For some reason, none of my posts are showing. This is another test post with nothing that could be flagged.

That is very weird, legomom. I was going to say if you put some links in your post?

We are back from our Myrtle Beach weekend and had a wonderful time. Yes, I wore my new bathing suit with pride! It wasn't too bad eating healthy though I did have a couple more drinks than I would normally have. We stopped at a Wendy's for a bathroom break and I had the chicken apple pecan salad, which was very good! It is still a very processed food and high in sodium, but so little options at fast food restaurants. It wasn't hot or crowded since biker week just ended and Memorial Day is next weekend. we had good walks on the beach and had the pools mostly to ourselves. Had a great time at the House of Blues concert. The condo at the resort was also very nice and recently renovated.

I am trying Barre class today! The Pilates studio moved, and I'll continue with the reformer private sessions tomorrow along with trying some group classes.

I got my updated headshots, and they're OK. There is one that I like at least.

Ironically after reading the comments earlier on this thread about ankle injuries, I managed to roll my ankle on a pine cone this morning while I was out running. There is a section of sidewalk where the owner lets the plants grow over so the sidewalk is narrow and littered with plant debris. There is a local junk pickup happening so there was a bunch of junk in the street and some had blown onto the sidewalk. I was trying to avoid stepping on the junk and managed to step on a pine cone and rolled my ankle. Thankfully, it's not bad at all. I took a moment and then kept on running. But I was quite a ways from home and it certainly made me think about the possibilty of a simple accident like that making it very difficult to get myself home.

@legomom23 I have no idea why your post wasn't showing up. I can see your screenshot.

I prefer running and walking by myself with the dog (or even without). There are a few friends I've enjoyed running with, but in general, I much prefer to go on my own. I have one friend who cannot seem to motivate herself to exercise alone and I'll happily do an additional workout with her, but I will never schedule my primary workouts around her. Too unreliable and generally not at the same fitness level as me. Even the years where I was trying to hike once per week in the summer (usually 3-6hr hikes up steep mountains), I found it worked better to just plan to go myself always and then if people could join me, great.

Well, I am down 2lb and I have officially hit 70.8 lb total loss. I've been saying I was down 70 because I was closer to 70 than 65 lol.. but now I've hit it.

I should be more excited/proud than I am. It is a weird thing. I look at myself and think I should be looking better, much thinner. I have crazy thoughts like, "is my scale broken-- is it telling me I am losing when I'm not?". I know it is crazy, because I can see slight changes in fit of my clothes.. but I don't look or feel thinner. And then I start beating myself up.. how is it that I let myself get so out of control of my weight that I can lose 70lb and still be fat? It is a weird mental place I am in -- but I need to nudge it to be the motivation to drop the next 70. I know from experience that each 10lb from here are going to make bigger and bigger changes in my appearance. I just need to get past this moment in time. I am very goal oriented so I won't let these thoughts slow me down-- I just need to take a beat and accept where I am and look forward.

I am sharing this not so much to bare my self analysis and touch of self loathing.. I don't like to share these things.. but I do think we all go through them to various degrees. It is up to us to give them a moment and then send them off in a bubble. I know I will be much more successful if I keep my eyes forward, mark my progress and appreciate my successes to date. I can't undo what I did in the past, but I have full control of what I do next!

Hope you're all having good weeks ... and looking forward to a great holiday weekend!

Funky, do you happen to have a full-body ”before” photo that you can compare to a current photo? Sometimes it’s hard to see the reality in a mirror but a photo shows it better.

No matter what, your body (your knees, your back, your feet) thanks you for losing those 70 lbs! Even when I lose a few lbs and I don’t see it, I often feel it in various parts of my body, if that makes sense. You’re doing so much good for your overall health and longevity.

I think you need a spa day or a vacation to celebrate your accomplishment!

Funky, this is an incredible milestone! Congratulations! Oh, I can totally relate. I feel like I am doing so well with progress and then I see photos (like my recent headshots) and I realize I am very far from where i want to be. Oh well, I have to still do the small things every day. I will see the weight management doctor in about a month so we'll see what he says. I also want to meet with a trainer at the Y since they have some new strength training machines and I need an orientation.

The barre class was fun! I actually was a little sore even though it was a 30 minute class. I will try a full class.

I am away at my conference next week so no barre and no Pilates Reformer lesson. I will pack my TRX, will walk a lot, and the hotel has a pool. I don't think I can really fit another one in before I head out. But I did virtual Zumba this morning with my sister. BTW, she's coming with me to the conference since DH can't make it.

I am turning 60 next weekend and to my surprise, I am not down about it. I think the recent healthy changes have given me momentum. With past birthdays I felt like I was stuck with same-old, same-old, and last year I said I was not going to turn 60 at the same weight, and at least I'm not. And with the recent loss of two colleagues far too young at 46 and 50, I have perspective that turning 60 and being healthy is a privilege.

I see your screenshot too. I see no reason why it didn't post. The mysteries of this website abound.

I am going to try to incorporate weights into my exercise program now. I found something called loaded carries. You carry the weight around and it helps with core strength. I obviously like unusual things. That includes unusual exercises to break up the monotony . I'll give this a try.

https://www.menshealth.com/fitness/a19548559/best-loaded-carries/

(Sorry I need to be quick-- but thank you Sue & Gs for your encouragement! My brevity doesn't express my appreciation! 😘)

God, no! I do not have a full body photo from before. I don't even want one now! LOL

But you are right-- I am making big changes for my body/joints.. some of which I can see now and some I hope to not see in the future by not having some of the problems I would have had -- had I not started this effort to lose weight.

I notice stupid little things.. like being able to lift a leg/foot high or being able to walk up the steep hill at a family's members property without getting winded. Just walking faster in general. Some of these things are tempered a bit my visual issues and no depth perception but I DO see them.

Thank you for reminding me of them-- I get soooo (too!) focused on my appearance.

And yes.. I am working on a getaway as a reward! ❤️

Funky for some reason who's decided to cut out my congratulations to you.

Congratulations Funky on the weight loss achievement.

It is hard to focus on the good things. I know I say that repeatedly but it is hard. You have to journal it or something to keep it top of mind I don't look at this way but I feel this way and then name all the ways you feelfeel. That sort of thing.

For example I was told repeatedly that I could never get my weight down again because of my particular set of illnesses. I decided that that was going to be impetus for me to do it. I could have gone the other way with all the negatives. And I am never going to be exactly what I want to be but I'm going to be suitable for what I need now. And I have to keep reminding myself of that because I lament the fact that I can't lose more. Then I just put one foot in front of the other and that helps.

I am back to trying to do over 15,000 steps a day. It feels good to walk for a long long distance. Best of luck to everyone I'm rooting for you.

Congratulations Funky! Your non scale victories are really adding up. Keep being proud of yourself and celebrate your accomplishments!

@yeonassky - I've been trying to add weights to my workout since about the first of the year and I love feeling stronger. I haven't noticed a huge body composition change yet, but I am definitely getting stronger. I love the little goals along the way - I can do a mostly real pushup now:) and just a couple weeks ago I started dead hanging. I couldn't get my feet off the ground, and today I hung for a count of 10. It really has amazed me - I don't think I've felt this proud of myself in years:) I would LOVE to be able to do one pull-up. Even as a young girl trying to climb the rope in elementary school gym class, I never had any upper body strength So the thought of a pull-up really makes me happy. Something to work towards.

My diet has been ok. I've been pretty lax with the not so great foods, so I should probably tighten that up some, but otherwise it's been pretty steady. For me, it comes down to a good night's sleep and a great breakfast with all the protein and fiber. If I mess up my morning, I have a hard time with the rest of the day.

@pricklypearcactus - I hate that you have those food struggles. That really does complicate things that are already difficult.

@gsciencechick - I love that you are feeling so optimistic about your upcoming birthday. There is something about being in a better place than last year that makes you feel good! All the young forever people like to say - your birthday is just your chronological age. You are in charge of your body's biological age.

Thank you all .. it is always good when the scale and non-scale victories come together. I just need to appreciate them better.

Prickly.. hope your ankle is healing! I also prefer to walk, run, swim, etc solo.. it isn't just the fitness level it is quiet in my head time that I value!

Gs.. well happy early Birthday!! I totally get what you are saying-- I made some big changes between 39 and 40 and it made turning 40 a real celebration of myself and the years to come! Congratulations on all your successes -- and also your amazing attitude! 🎉😎

Legomom.. I also need to start the day out right or everything else goes downhill--- healthy habits, mood, productivity. Everything! And wow.. kudos to you for setting a pull up goal! I haven't done a pull up easily ever-- and not even close to one in MANY years. Not even when I was in great shape. You go, girl!

Yeonassky .. rooting for you too! I love your commitment. Load carries sounds interesting -- i find improving core strength helps me with *everything* else.. well, at least activity wise lol. It doesn't do the laundry but eh.. with better core strength, I can run up/down the stairs faster and easier ;)

Sue, you should leave on your trip soon, yeah? Hope you are feeling ready-- it's going to be a great trip! So much family time and fun!

That's so wonderful, Funky! Congratulations. Without sounding trite, I'm really PROUD of you!