I have just 16 months to go in the 40-something group when I move on to 50+ in Jan 2009. It has been quite a decade and hard to beleive I'm nearly a half-century old. I spent most of my 30s & 40s grossly obese (bouncing between 300 & 350ish), while trying to follow a low fat diet. After giving up on trying to lose weight, I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (Jan 2006) and eventually found low carb. Things have been improving ever since.

My real name is Dan and I am an engineer for NASA in Houston TX. I have a wife (Dorothy), a daughter (Kira - 12), a son (Kristian - 10), and a dog (Star, a lab-boxer mix). I'm trying to get them fully on board with low carb, without being too pushy, as all of them could stand to lose weight. I'm over an image issues, but don't want any of them to end up like I am. Since I cook dinner, they are cutting back, but still haven't gotten off sugar. My dog likes her walks, so that is my motivation to exercise. She's in excellent shape.

I picked the moniker "renegadediabetic" since I'm obviously going against the standard dietary advice for diabetics, which IMHO, is making things worse. It would make a catchy blog title and I'd like to start a blog. However, things are too busy with family matters and I don't think I could do it justice right now. This forum provides me some outlet. I appreciate all of you and your contributions.

I will enjoy my remaining time as a 40-something and am looking forward to being in better shape at 50 than I was at 35 or 40.

Hey Dan,

I think the 30's and 40's are more forgiving of health issues. I'm glad you have made the decision to enter that next decade in great shape, with good blood sugars and great health. Best to you!

You're gonna leave quite a legacy for those kids of yours Dan! CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Hey Dan - before this post I thought you were a woman. Now it turns out you're a NASA engineer!!!!!! Funny the assumptions we make hey??? You should visit the hotties thread and get yourself a hottie aka - hows about spaceman hottie????

Hi y'all. I've been lurking for a long, long time not sure what group I'm in. I'll be 50 in less than four months so I thought I'd take advantage of my 40-something status while I can. This birthday is hitting me pretty hard ... not sure why. My kids are grown; I have five beautiful grandchildren. No dogs or cats ... they've all aged and gone on to doggy/kitty heaven and I'm not ready to have any more pets. (Oops! Make that with the exception of the stray cat that adopted us and has found a home in one of my planters.) My husband and I live north of Dallas on Lake Texoma. I've been low-carb for eight years and have just now hit a really hard stumbling block. I quit smoking in April and I've packed on additional weight. I will persevere though and get it back off. I haven’t been seriously overweight (about 50 pounds max at one time) … I have learned from my siblings what I can and cannot do. I have one sister type I diabetic, a brother type II diabetic and a twin that is obese and on the verge of type II diabetes. So, for years I have watched my weight and learned from their trials and tribulations. My husband had four bypasses for his 50th birthday so he’s struggling with eating correctly (btw, he’s 5’8” and 150 lbs … I think his issues are more genetic). Anyway, ’nuff about me … I just thought I’d quit lurking and introduce myself.

TheOtherChristina---glad you joined in----with your family history you certainly have the motivation to remain in peak health---I wish you the best of luck

Dan---an engineer---love you science guys!!---I visit Huntsville here in Bama quite often and have been to Kennedy twice

Welcome Christina! I'm happy to see you here at my forum as you celebrate 50 glorious years here with us in the very near future. THANKS for coming out of lurkerville and I hope you make yourself at home. Please set up a journal in the "Who's Livin' La Vida Low-Carb" thread:

http://www.lowcarbdiscussion.com/index.php?act=SF&f=2&

Dan, I love the name "renegadediabetic." I grin every time I see it.