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Introduction Text Are we doomed to gain weight when we hit 40-ish and our metabolisms slow? I'm living proof that the answer is NO! I refused to accept that! With the help of Spark People, I have not only beat the over-40 metabolism, I have achieved the body that I never thought I would have! When I started Spark People, I just wanted to get back to the weight I had been most of my life - 135. However, I got there, and realized I had the tools to take it further, to create the body I had always secretly yearned for, but never dreamed was possible. I'm so thankful that the over-40 metabolism hit, because it forced me to start exercising - and exercise has enabled me to achieve goals I never thought possible. At 40+ I'm thinner than I have ever been, I'm stronger than I have ever been, I'm fitter than I have ever been, I'm healthier than I've ever been, and I feel better than I did in my 20's! So, THANKS, over-40 metabolism! You put forth a good effort at slowing me down, but with the help of Spark People, I win! :P

1) My original goal was to get back to 135 lbs. With the help of SP, I realized that I could achieve even more! Since then, I set 5 lb mini goals, watching the changes to my body, and trying to determine where I want to land. I finally decided that 120 lb would be my final goal, and I reached that goal in January 2010! 2) Strength train consistently and get stronger. 3) Climb a 5.10a clean. DONE, June 2010 NEW GOAL: Climb a 5.10b clean outside, climb a 5.11 clean inside. 4) Drink 8 glasses of water a day. 5) Stay positive!!!!

Maintain my weight by continuing to log my foods, and stay within my calorie budget, which is currently 1570-1920 calories a day. Continue with 6-7 cardio workouts a week. Strive for greater consistency in my strength training workouts. Here's my current workout schedule: Monday: Cycle 13.4 Miles (62 minutes)(Commute to work) Tuesday: Cycle 13.4 Miles (62 minutes)(Commute to work) Wednesday: Cycle 13.4 Miles (62 minutes)(Commute to work) Thursday: Cycle 13.4 Miles (62 minutes)(Commute to work) Friday: Rock climbing in the gym, on the weeks that I don't have phlebotomy. Saturday: Run 3 miles (Winter) Hiking/Rock Climbing Outside (Spring/Summer-Weather Permitting) . Sunday: Rock climbing in the gym.

I'm 44-years old, and have a wonderful, loving husband, and three teenage boys. I have a genetic condtion called "Hemochromotosis". It is an inability to process iron. When mine was diagnosed I had a ferritin level of 2700 (150 is the normal high). To get the excess iron out of my body, I have to give a pint of blood every two weeks. That's what the references to my "phlebotomy" are. Height 5'7" Maintenance Range: 117-122 Starting measurements: Starting Weight: 145.8 Pants Size: 10-12 Waist - 27 Belly - 31 Hips - 41.5 Thighs - 25 Body Fat - 32.4 (I have a scale that measures body fat. I have no idea if this number is accurate, so I've just been looking at the change to measure progress.) Current Measurements: Weight: 117 Pants size: 0-2 Waist - 25 Belly - 27 Hips - 34.5 Thighs - 19.75 Body Fat - 21.2

Here are some quotes that help me stay on the path. “To insure good health: Eat lightly, breathe deeply, live moderately, cultivate cheerfulness, and maintain an interest in life.” “Always strive to add rungs to your ladder of life.” "Years wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul.” “Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” “Life is full of beauty. Notice it. Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and the smiling faces. Smell the rain, and feel the wind. Live your life to the fullest potential, and fight for your dreams.” "Health is not a matter of chance. It is a matter of choice. It is something we have been gifted with, took for granted and we can reclaim and regain." "When it comes to eating right and exercising, there is no "I'll start tomorrow." Tomorrow is disease." "Health and cheerfulness naturally beget each other."

Add a Link I'm maintaining my loss! Maintenance range: 117-122. “Life is full of beauty. Notice it. Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and the smiling faces. Smell the rain, and feel the wind. Live your life to the fullest potential, and fight for your dreams.”
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