There are so many topics and so many groups that I thought I would narrow it down to the basics. I am brand new, starting today actually, am 57 and have 93 lbs to lose. I live in Raleigh NC. Anyone care to form a group with me?

Dream On,

I too am 57. I live in Fort Worth, Texas; however, my 34 year old son lives in Raleigh. I started JC in January 09 and have lost 38 lbs. I weigh in tonigt and am looking for 40. I just got back from a 3 week vacation last week. My goal while I was gone was to not gain, but maintain. I did pretty good. I only gained .2 lb, not even 1/2 lb. I was excited. Besides the 38 I've lost, I have another 100 to lose. Maybe we can do it together. I'll get back with you after tonight's weigh in. In fact, I owe responses to some other buddies on the JC board. Hang in there and follow the plan. IT WORKS!!

HEALTHYSTAR
What you appreciate, appreciates.

Dream on - I'm 54 (almost) and live near San Francisco. JC seems to be the easiest way for me to lose weight. I, too, just got back from a 3 week vacation. I walked all over - many miles, and ate pretty carefully, but I see that I'm over by about 3 lbs. (Congrats to you, Healthystar, for gaining so little. Seems that once you get in your 50s, that old metabolism slows down a bit! I think I better get myself off to JC to get back into the groove before 3 lbs becomes 5, and then you know, on it goes...

But as Healthystar mentioned, the program does seem to work, so just keep at it, and good for you for starting! My sister in law (a physician) and her sister (also a physician) both have used JC successfully.

Wow Healthystar! 38 lbs since January is a wonderful loss for someone in their 50s! You certainly are inspirational! I hope you did well with you weigh in!

Dana, nice to meet you. I have also been on vacation but only for five days and I did not go anywhere. I always take a few days off in the Spring to catch up on things and then actually take a real vacation in October. I am hoping this year to take one with a weight loss!

Nice to meet you both and I look forward to this journey together.

Janet

Janet,

When I weighed last night I had lost 2.4 lb. That means I lost the .2 I gained plus 2.2 more. I have now lost a total of 40.4 since starting the program January 5, 2009.

I actually joined in late Dec but did not start until Jan. I was having a Christmas lunch with some friends and as I sat there stuffing my face with Italian food, I mentioned that I had joined JC but wasn't starting until Jan. I went on to tell them that I had set my first goal of losing 50 lbs by the end of June. And that I was giving myself 2 years to be at goal. I needed to lose 150 lb. One of the ladies spoke up and said "that's too much - no way can you lose 50 lbs. in 6 months." To her I replied, "Yes I can and Yes I will." We argued back and forth for a while with "Yes I can" and "No you can't" until finally she popped off and said, "If you lose 50 lbs. by the end of June, I"ll give you $50." What else could I do but accept her offer. So here I am 7 weeks out and 9.6 lbs. to go. I WILL GET THERE!!

Does this mean I will quit at 50 lbs? NO WAY! I'm setting my next goal for another 50 lbs. by the end of Dec. However, I know that the more you lose the slower it gets. So if I don't hit the 2nd 50 by the end of Dec., I know I've got another year to lose however much I miss it by plus the final 3rd 50 lbs.

Everyone should set goals in life. Without goals, I wouldn't have anything to work toward or look forward to. To everyone reading this post, my suggestion is to stay with the program and work the program. If you work it, it works you.

My motto is "What you appreciate, appreciates." In other words, be grateful to the people who did the research, came up with the recipes, had a business sense, and put all of JC together for us. And they continue to research and come up with new foods. I have tried every diet known to mankind with very little success. The JC program is the best out there as far as I'm concerned. It's easy, the food is delicious, the counselors are upbeat and compasionate, plus I don't feel like I am on a diet. Maybe that's because I'm not. I am on a healthy and nutritional eating plan that is being incorporated into my lifestyle. Some people may think JC is expensive. Yeah, maybe or maybe not. Depends on how it is viewed. The food is already cooked, which to me is a BIG convenience. Whatever the cost, if I lose weight and become healthy, then it is worth it to me. It beats the alternative cost - doctor, drug, and hospital bills.

I also appreciate my body for getting me thru 57 years of abuse - overeating, non exercise, etc. Now I am taking care of my body so it can appreciate me.

Where do you plan to go for vacation in October? Set your goal to go 50 lbs. lighter.

Yes, we are all in this journey together.

Mucho friendship, Debbie

Hi ladies. I'm 50 (51 in a couple of months) and have about 120 lbs. to lose. I've been through a really hard year struggling with my 24-year old bipolar daughter. I've just decided that I need to focus on me and my health and let her live her own life. I certainly can't control her, so I need to focus on something I can control ... like what I put in my mouth. I'd love to journey with y'all (yes, I'm from the South!) if I can. Good luck to all and hope y'all have a happy and safe Memorial Day weekend!

Hi everyone...I'm really happy to be here. I am 51 yrs. old and have around 75 lbs. to lose. I'm starting week 4 and have lost 15 lbs. so far. This is the first time trying to lose weight that I feel like I am actually getting somewhere! I've had a rough five years....I lost my 22yr. old daughter and 4yr. old granddaughter in a car accident. I've always struggled with my weight, but this trauma about did me in. Well anyway, here I am five years later counting my blessings....I have 4 wonderful kids remaining and and 4 more grandkids....a wonderful and handsome husband who is my rock and recently started my own thriving candle company. So I feel like I deserve to make an investment in my health and happiness. I look forward to taking this journey with all of you and wish you (and me) much success! Hope to talk with you soon.
Sandy

Hi Sandy! Wow ... your post made me realize that, although my daughter is a handful and a daily struggle, she's still here with me. I'm so sorry for your loss ... I cannot imagine the pain you have gone through and continue to go through. I look forward to making this journey with you to a better us! Good luck!

Thank you for your kind words....it has been hard, but it has made me realize what is important and what is not. I value my relationships wih family and friends and let the know how important they are to me. And, for the first time in my life I am putting that same attitude towards myself! I plan on becoming the best that I can be...for me! I love the support from you and everyone here and I am really enjoying the results from being on this program. I wish you much success and hope you are enjoying it as much as I am .
Cheers!
Sandy

I just started JC this past Friday. I'll be 52 in July and have about 50 pounds to lose. My 20 year old daughter and I signed up together. She wants to lose about 20 pounds.

So far, I am enjoying most of the foods. Some more than others but none that I couldn't eat. Then again, I'm only half way through day 4 LOL.

Courage is not the absence of fear, it is action in the face of it! Congratulations on finding your peace. Cling tight to it, honoring your own life honors the lives of all you love. Move free, eat gently. Beckie

Hi CindyLou - I too have a bipolar 24 year old daughter - very challenging to say the least! I mainly have to concentrate on how to end my emotional eating, because I do alot of it regarding her!

Hi Thin! Thanks for the PM By the way, when you go to Hawaii in 2010, I may smuggle myself along in your luggage! LOL! My DH and I went to Maui a year ago last February and it was the most awesome vacation I could ever imagine! Great incentive!

I had my first weigh in today. I lost 3.2 pounds!! I was only expecting about a pound loss so that was a nice surprise.

New here too- I'm in Texas, joined on Saturday and planning a gradual drop from 218 to 150.

At 55, I thought I was falling back in love with my old high school boyfriend but it seems rocky going at best. I'm extro, he's intro and very hermit like - and a good five hour drive away.

All this on top of the change of life stuff! Putting the tears on hold for a few minutes tonight. No matter what happens at work, or with my old sweetheart, I am DETERMINED to establish new healthy lifestyle. Years ago I was trying to do the hot yoga but 90 minutes a session was too much to keep up.

I can't afford a gym right now, so walking, bike riding and some aerobics in my living room may be the best I can do. What do you do for exercise?

Jane

Hi 50's! Just checking in to see how everyone is doing. I'm hanging in with my program. Have let go a couple of meals here and there, but I'm always right back on plan the very next meal, so I know I'm making progress in my lifestyle mentality. Hope to be in the 260's by next week

Hope y'all are having a great summer!

Hey Newbie
I joined today too Good luck! I want to lose 30 lbs so I hope I can do it too. Kung Fu Kindness

Hey Everyone,

Reading everyone's post's was quite inspiratinal. May I join you? I am 51 (52 in September), I am from North Carolina too, I was born in Raleigh, but now live in South Dakota (of all places!!). I just rejoined JC after a 6 month hiatus. I have 23 pounds to lose, coming down from 40 pounds that I gained 9 years ago. I am looking for a positive group of gals to talk with especially when the days are a challenge, like yesterday!

I too believe that if you work the program it appreciates you!! I want to keep that mind set and not stray from my goals. I really feel I have nothing better to do than to lose this weight!

Thank you, have a great JC day everyone

Diane

Hi Everyone!

I'm 52 and started my JC journey on May 19/09. This week I had my 4 week weigh-in and measurements and have started week 5. I'm loving this program! I don't have to think about what to cook, what to shop for other than fruits and veg. It's great how this gives me time to focus on me - I've actually gotten into the exercise - something I never ever would have pictured! lol I'd love to share this journey with you and I know we can all help and support each other. Wishing everyone continued success, one pound at a time as WE get healthy!

Karen