I'm 5'6" and 71 years young who began learning to eat healthy at age 69 when I joined a gym to continue physical therapy exercises which led to weight loss from 174 to 130 in two years. Weight went back up to 140 but have been bringing it down for the last 1.5 years.

I'm not following any specific diet per se but am shooting for 30/30/40
ratio of fat/prot/carb as I am a "balanced oxidizer" according to the test given in Jillian Michael's 'Winning by Losing' book. That ratio is the basis for The Zone Diet, which I just learned so I'm intrigued with that at the moment.

While working in a scientific field for 30+ years, I tried to eat my meal in a glass [instant breakfast] mostly to get it down quickly and get to work. Rarely had a decent breakfast or lunch but have learned better now.

My new lifestyle included making my own bread, cakes, muffins, protein bars and yogurt from healthy stock. One of my favorites is Black Bean Fudge which I modified to use with xylitol or splenda in place of 2# sugar.

The last few lbs are "vanity lbs" so I've just learned and I really just need to get toned. I am at a healthy weight and could just go into maintenance and let the chips fall where they may but I want to get the bulk off from my thighs and will continue to try.

I live 40 miles from closest gym and can only go 2-3 times a week where I spend 1 hour for weights and stretches then 1 hr in the swimming pool. At home I do 1 hr daily exercise including 30 min walk most of the days when not at the gym.
Weight loss is 80% diet and 20% exercise but I feel better after exercising and will continue as long as I am able.

Happy Losing!

History:... lbs... Body Fat % BMI
Jan-2006... 174... 34.7... 27.9
Jan-2007... 159... 27.0
Sep-2007... 130... 26.5
Jan-2008... 140... 28.1
Jan-2009... 134... 26.8
3/31/09... 131... 26.1
8/14/09... 128... 25.0... 20.6