I am 55 and live just outside of Salt Lake City, Utah. I have one son that is a college student and will soon be moving out so my life is really changing. I've never really been overweight except in my eyes. My average weight over the years have been between 122-124 but as I age I just feel fatter at this weight.

Two years ago I got up to 130 and decided that was pushing the limits so I started dieting for special occasions until I reached 115. Afterwards I would stuff myself until I reached the 130 mark and decided it was enough. In March I decided to try the Atkins diet and to my joy I have lost 14 pounds in 7 weeks without starving myself. My plan is to stay on a LC way of eating for the rest of my life.

I have been a personal trainer for 20 years and have chronic pain in my upper back for over 12 years. Staying at a lower weight does a lot for my mental health and I've been able to go off of my sleep medications to name some of the benefits by following a LC meal plan.

I love to travel and of course eat. I am an avid hiker and I used to run marathons and lift weights but I've had to stop running so much and cut down on weight lifting because of my pain. However, the pain doesn't affect my hiking, thank God.

I want to write a book as I grow older. I just can't think of a subject at this time since I have many passions. I love Greece and Rome and travel to both as much as I can. I also love books and my favorite topics are ancient Rome and Greece, studying the philosophers. I find ancient Egypt and the Holy Land fascinating as well.

I joined this site to meet and be inspired by others on this journey. My prayer is for others to be happy and find joy through their own journey.